FREE DAY IN DENVER

The corps was up and running early this morning. We would all have a free day in the city. You already know this at breakfast when you see the members come down the line at the tables. Everyone is dressed nicely. It’s almost as if this is a different bunch of people. Elegant dresses, nice shirts… The only thing that still gives away they are drumcorps members is the sock tan!



Decided to cut my hair this morning. So shaved it way back to only some milimeters. Feels good in this kind of weather too!

The three corps buses dropped the members off at Laundromats to do laundry this morning. Some of the members were sad they couldn’t see the game. At lunch I heard they did get to see the beginning of the game at one of the Laundromats. I got to watch the game on our bus. I had put the Dutch flag up and made sure everyone heard the vuvuzela. Most of the staff on our bus watched the second half of the game.



The corps had a meeting in the gym, where Pete Emmons explained what can and especially can NOT be done on a free day. Obviously the legal drinking age in the States would apply to a lot of members, so the warning was pretty clear. If they would break the rule,… they would be sent home.





Envelopes were handed out to the section leaders. The booster club sponsors the free days, and gives $10 to each member. That’s an excellent gesture, especially since some of the members simply don’t have all that much money.

We were already on our way to Denver during the second half, and even the first 15 minute overtime started while on the road. Everyone was dropped off at Union Station where we were to be picked up at 10PM.



I found the very first bar that had the game on together with my buddy John. My orange Holland shirt evoked a lot of comments. All positive though! It seemed everyone in the bar was rooting for our team! The bartender found out I am Dutch, and said the beer was on the house! Nice!!
Unfortunately we didn’t win. The funny thing was that it cleared out the bar right away. We went to another (Irish) bar and had some appetizers. I had a Samuel Adams. Good beer!!

John was picked up by friends that live in Denver. He’s going home for a few weeks and then will join again later on. I cruised the town a bit, checked out some of the stores, and enjoyed the architecture. The museum is really nice! Ran into a devoted Spain-fan too He insisted on having his picture taken with me...





Most members went to see a movie today. And then had dinner at one of the many restaurants. The Cheesecake Factory, Chili’s and the Hard Rock Café were among the members’ favourites.
I hooked up with a bunch of them at the Cheesecake Factory, and told them I was going to be at the “Tilted Kilt” bar next door. Had a few Sam Adams beers, when Tylor and Colin joined me there. I treated them to a drink. Unfortunately it was a no-smoking bar,… I had bought some cigars too.
Cool bar!! Especially the sort of “Scottish style” dressed waitresses. Obviously we had to have our picture taken with them.
It was a fun day!



Back on the road now to Hutchinson, Kansas. In fact we will be staying in a town called
Let’s hope I can get access to the internet so I can upload this, and check my mail. It sucks if you think you can chat with your best friends back home, and then find out internet doesn’t work!!!

Enjoy,

HK