A PROBLEM CHILD

This is going to be a promising week. Earlier today the ALC webmaster called me about keeping this weblog. I had a nice talk with him. He wished me welcome, talked about Old Jenever (a Dutch drink with loads of alcohol in it) and his Dutch friend he drinks Old Jenever with, when all of a sudden he told me he expected me to be his ALC problem child. It's weird, because when I arrived in the USA yesterday I thought it was going to be exactly the opposite. Here's why.

My Dutch colleague lend me his American cellphone. Some of my ALC friends called me and left a message. So I dialed my voicemail number and this is what happens. A friendly woman tells me I have been granted a free music lesson for my child 'to test if he likes or has the ability to play a musical instrument'. To be honest, I wasn't even aware of the fact that I had a child. Still it was a nice gesture and it made me feel very welcome in the United States.

Come to think of it, the ALC webmaster might be right about my being a problem child. The guy at the airport Immigration Office probably thought the same. He had a rather blank expression on his face. And I think his eyes were rather reddish. He might have had a long night with his best pal. Anyway he asked me some questions.

• Officer: What are you going to do while you're here?
• Bart: I am going to do a sponsor cycle ride.
• Officer: Blank face.
• Officer: Who paid for your trip?
• Bart: I did.
• Officer: How long will you be staying in the USA?
• Bart: Two weeks.
• Officer: Who paid for your trip?
• Bart: I did.

It's true. I most certainly did. So what was the good man implying? That my planeticket was paid for by an entity that was not me, an entity with a criminal or even terrorist background? Or was he just suffering from a hangover, and struck by a sudden onset of Korsakov? Who knows. In the end, although he seemed to remain sceptical, he let me in. You see, even a problem child has its moments of luck.

Comments

[Erik Ireland]

If only all my problems in life were as much fun as you are, Bart! Looking forward to a great week on the road with you!