Time off to play at the Kermis

Last monday, I did something I hadn't done in years and years and years...since my days as a carny. I went on a carnival ride.

We were in Zaventem (brussels airport town) to check out the Jaarmarkt (yearly market) in hopes of finding some treasures. I got a few girlie headbands, some birthday cards, a falafel sandwich, and anise. As we left jaarmarkt we took a stroll through the kermis that happened to be in town, set up just next to the market.

I got to relive some memories of when i worked at a carnival. My job was to run the balloon-popping game. Even though it was a game where everyone wins a prize, I especially enjoyed pointing out the "large prize" balloons to the cute boys or to the kid who seemed never to win anything.

What i found most intriguing about the Belgian version of a carnival is that their games and rides all have some American Theme and contain some english words or phrases.

After checking out all the rides, I gave Jonas three to choose from.

The first was a "Caterpillar" ride where a top covers the "caterpillar" midway through the duration of the ride.

The second was a crazy-scary looking ride that had two long arms and has four seats at the end of each arm. The arms turn like hands on a clock at a snappy clip, sending the riders upside down and spinning.

And the third ride option was semi-circle seats that twist and turn at mach speed, but don't go upside down.

He opted for the third one, probably because he was too scared to go on the second one and was afraid i'd try something on him when the caterpillar top enclosed us.

The ride was only about five minutes but my jaw and eyes hurt so much from simultaneously laughing and crying so hard. Luckily, I remembered my ride experiences from the carny days and opted NOT to close my eyes.

It may not have been the thrill I had from free-falling when i jumped out of an airplane but it was enough to make the rest of my day pale in comparison.