Thursday, March 6

Embracing it at Every Step

If you ever find yourself traveling in The Hague, The Netherlands, say, by tram or bus or train, follow these tips from a seasoned rider.

1. After you've stamped your ticket at the machine, state loudly "I can hold it myself" and then clutch it tightly in your fist, or better yet fold it multiple times and push it deep into the pocket of your jeans for safe keeping.

2. When you see the tram approaching the platform, thrust your arm out straight and strong from the shoulder, fingers extended and cry out "STOP TRAM STOOOOOOOOP" at the top of your lungs.

3. When the tram comes to a halt near you declare "He heard me Mom! He heard me!"

4. Push the button for the doors (by yourself) and board the tram.

5. Select your seat inside based on the simple criterion of which bench will get you the best view of the driver's station so you can see all the pedals, buttons, lights and dials she uses to drive the tram.

6. Chatter about everything you see along the way.

7. Wonder aloud what the name of the driver is.

8. As you approach your stop, scoot your bottom forward on the seat until your feet dangle only centimeters from the tram floor and then continue to slither off the seat like a slinky winds itself down a set of stairs.

9. Gallop with thunderous enthusiasm toward the exit doors.

10. Shout "Yes!" when the tram pulls to a stop and the doors open wide. You can thrust your fist into the air for dramatic effect if you like.

11. Exit the tram.

For your return trip, you can follow the steps above or mix and match the bits that work best for you. But for good measure, before you step back onto the public transport, be sure to step into the automatic photo booth you've spotted inside the train station.

That's what we in the business call making a memory.

25 comments:

  1. Ah to see the world through the eyes of a child, where even a tram ride can be fun. Thanks for the post!

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  2. Ok, I totally would have done #5 even without a child with me.

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  3. Oh my gosh! I want to come and ride the tram now! Just so I can dangle my feet and shout at the tram to stop. Thanks for making something that can be so routine so much fun! The picture? Absolutely priceless! Miss you and love you!

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  4. I'm with Dawn - I do this a bit too often for my age.

    Such enthusiasm!

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  5. :D Oh the joys of public transport! People should be more like Andrew, if that means they can enjoy a tramride like its a rollercoaster. :D

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  6. You know I'm dying to try this myself...

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  7. Ahhhh that is just the cutest picture!

    Ah public transportation ... You don't miss it until you have absolutely none.. (like here.)

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  8. What a precious, precious memory. Great job capturing that one, Jenn.

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  9. Mmmm-Hmmmm...Looks OK. Now, if you could just turn to the left and let me look in your ears ...

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  10. LOVE the slinky image. Hilarious, Jenn - and thanks so much for the card with the lovely spring picture on it. And as an addeed extra, the envelope - addressed to ME - from a Dutch address unknown to him totally flumoxed Husband. Of such petty victories is daily life made....

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  11. Beautiful, Jenn. You make me feel like a kid again. Take me on the train again, please please please please.

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  12. Is there any other way? It's the only one I know. I love the picture at the end and as always your blog is great! :)

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  13. That was adorable.

    I'm a little short so I know too well how my feet still dangle just above the floor with some chairs.

    Holding on to the ticket....announcing they can do it themselves....I could almost see that! Beautiful!

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  14. What a great list. And what a great photo.

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  15. that was fun - you're such a blast!

    Now. While I have your attention, ya wanna play some games? Could be fun...One of'ems really cool -- if you haven't already joined in. Come by if you can and we'll have a cup'a joe or someth'n someth'n.

    Love ya - *smackies*

    ( Meme Catchup (Hold the Mayo))

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  16. Life with a little one is always an adventure!

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  17. Sounds a lot like what a "seasoned" traveler would say about riding the buses in NYC! Especially the buses that have the turning thingy in the middle. Go Andrew! What a GREAT post.

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  18. I'm having one of those days where smiles... well... don't come readily to my face. You've made me smile huge--like, with teeth showing and everything. You could have found the whole outing exasperating, but you chose to embrace it and love it and even take a silly picture. I think it's very likely that you are the best mom ever. :-D

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  19. I wish I could see the tram ride - just to watch other people marvel and smile at the pure joy Andrew is able to find in a tram ride! Kids really do teach us everything!

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  20. Brilliant post, great photo memory, and the start of an "I think it's very likely that you are the best mom ever" campaign. Anyone else want to vote for Jenn? Brillig said it. I'm in!

    You are too much, Jenn, says I as I got my card in the mail. You made my day. Thank you.

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  21. I can see it now!!!!!

    Just incase I haven't mentioned it before...
    I LOVE HIM! (and you too!) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  22. Cute! And that picture of the two of you is priceless!

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  23. Love the post and I love the photo! Adorable!

    (And I'm in on the Jenn as the best mom ever thing.)

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  24. hahahaaaa, I'll look out of the 2 of you next time I ride a tram in The hague.


    That picture must be your most valuable picture ever! That is so priceless. I'd make a huge poster of it!

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