This was it. We finally had arrived at our destination. As we stepped out
of our van, the heat hit all of us as the sun beat down on our then still white
bodies. Four other cars were already parked next to us on the dusty white
stones.
“The Madzsars are
here!” I heard my aunt yell from the 2nd story of our rented out
vacation house. A stampede of 16 skinny white legs came running down the stairs
like an avalanche bombarding us with hugs and kisses. As I finally escaped my
cousins, a brigade of aunts, uncles, and grandparents came and gave us a second
round. Once all the embraces and warm welcomes were complete, I stepped back
and looked up at the house we would be spending 10 days together in.
“Not bad at all,”
I thought to myself while I covered my eyes from the sun’s strong rays to
further take in my surroundings. The house was a typical vacation home. Light
blue with white panels and creamy shutters. A staircase was connected to the
side from the first level leading to the second. But who was I to complain
about where I stayed on a fantastic vacation with some of my favorite people.
I ran up the
stairs connected to the side of the sky blue house and walked into the upstairs
to explore my future occupancy. Young and naïve, I left the adults to take care
of the unpacking and wanted to jump right into all the promised fun. I opened
the door and saw the kitchen, living room and dining room all connected like
one large room. At first glance our habitat seemed small, but cozy with enough
room to keep us all in comfort.
Everything there
was bright. Large rectangular glass windows allowed the sun to flow in and hit
the clean, white walls. Pictures of young children on the beach decorated the
walls and became an initiator of a young girl’s mind to what would be awaiting
them.
I continued on
throughout the house, entering each interconnected room. From one room to the
next, the beds became larger and rooms became more spacey. Each had several
sets of windows which looked out onto beautiful scenery of the sunny, sandy beach
and green and brown swaying palm trees. I peered out over the windowsill and
began to dream about what the upcoming days would hold. Soft, white sand, clear
blue skies, crashing and rolling waves, getting a nice, dark tan, having the
wind...
“Julie! Julie,
come down here and help.” I was pulled back to reality by a sharp tone only my
mother could make and muttered at the thought of having to work instead of
enjoying my soon-to-be easy going life. What help was I going to be when all I
could think about were the activities planned in the near future.
One of these
activities just so happened to be one of the most memorable times of my life.
“Hurry up we are
going to be late!”
“Do you want to
miss the show?”
“Let's move it!” A
barrage of calls came to me as I threw on my deep blue halter top and matching
skirt. I jumped into the car and wondered what it would be like the whole way
there. Medieval Times repeated in my head the entire ride. At long last we
arrived and ran up the path leading to the doors. The doors were massive,
inscribed, elaborately decorated, dark, almost a mahogany color with a certain
shine that hit the onlookers eyes as if coaxing them to enter, but not easily
opened by one push from a small 8 year old. Thankfully, there were men standing
there to help. I could not help but crane my neck to take another look at the
porthole into the castle. The castle- that enormous, pure stone, perfectly
replicated, lavishly embellished packed with tourists like myself castle. I
felt such a rush to see the fanatic people pushing their way past one another,
just as we planned to do. As we proceeded to walk along the part stone, part
dirt walkway to our seats, we were crowned with a red and gold cardboard crown.
I found out this meant we would be on the red and gold knight's team.
And so, quickly
and disorderly, we pushed our way through the crowd and went to our designated
red and gold seating section. Pure luck! We got the closest seats and I was
dead center in the front row, as close as can be to the horse's rear that would
be standing in front of me soon. I had to switch positions a few times to get
somewhat comfortable in the thick wooden seats. I looked out over the arena
that lay in front of me. Dirt covered the floor and a long, wooden post split
two halves of the arena that was oval shaped. Seats began filling up and each
section had banner of the knight colors over the onlookers’ heads.
I sat and sat, and
it felt like forever. My excitement began to diminish as it felt like hours to
begin the games until men in identical suits who walked around carrying large
silver trays of food caught my eye and my nose as the scent of roasted meat hit
my nose. I felt overjoyed at the thought of steamy pieces of nourishment
gliding down my throat. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I saw the
actual food. It was the perfect thing to keep my mind off the anticipation of
the show. A man came to our row, carrying the food.
“Would you like to
know what is on the menu?” he asked us kindly.
“Yes!” my cousins
and I echoed in unison.
“Well the main
course is dragon's legs, scales included, rabbit droppings, pheasant beaks…”
the waiter said and went on naming various unpleasant foods that did not sound
appetizing. However, they were delicious once we saw the dishes and found out
that the dragon leg and scales was really a chicken with seasoned skin. In the
middle of the grand feast after more courses were served, the knights were
introduced. Once the red and gold knight was announced, we all stood up and
cheered, and were easily the loudest group there. However, we found out very
quickly that there were certain rivalries between the different knights. Ours
in particular was very distinct. The blue and white knight always gave our
knight thumbs down or booed him.
Finally, after
what seemed literally like half the night, it was announced that the games
would commence, beginning with the ring toss. The rings would be thrown up and
the knights’ job was to catch as many as he could with his lance, while staying
on his horse. We watched the games in complete and honest interest. Everyone's
imagination stirred and a childlike joy erupted from all the parents. I felt a
plain and simple joy. I was happy to be with people that mattered to me, happy
to be full and content, and happy to watch exciting games, which I must say our
knight was doing fairly well in. The games came and went all too quickly. The
jousted, fought with real swords, trash-talked each other, and much more. Then,
I found my knight about to enter the final competition, against our favorite
competitor of course, the blue and white knight. Literally, my knight in
shining armor stood before me on his horse. I cheered for him as loudly as I
could and, apparently, he heard me. He turned to look at me, his enthralled
spectator, not only to smile in appreciation, but he also held out his long
lance right at my face. What was he doing? I was so confused and nervous I did
not notice the red and gold ribbon that hung from the tip of the lance which
was alarmingly longer than it looked when pointed at your face. I backed away
from him, not knowing how to react, and just sat shrunk in my chair. People
yelled things at me and the knight gave the lance a little thrust towards my
face, and I worried my eyes would be punctured. Did he find this a joke or
something? Oddly enough, the only thing I could think of at the moment was the
line, “You’ll shoot your eye out”, from “A Christmas Story.” My cousin than turned to me and yelled to take
off the ribbon. I did what he said carefully, so as not to get jabbed, and the
knight pulled the lance away. That ordeal was all soon forgotten in the heart
of the final battle. The knights galloped towards each other, full speed on the
floor of the battle arena. Each ran from opposite ends, separated by the long
wood in the center. As quickly as the battle began, one lace crushed into the
other knight’s shield. It was our knight! I thought we had won so I stood up
and began to cheer, but was the only one to do so and quickly sat back down, a
little red with embarrassment. They both got off their horses and began to
fight on the ground with clinks and clanks of their swords. The suspense nearly
killed me! Everyone was on the edge of their seats, waiting to see who the
winner would be.
“C’mon, kill ‘em!”
“Ahh, go for his
heart!” the crows chanted. Finally, after a hard fought battle, our knight won!
In my eight year old mind, this was like winning the lottery. Luckily, the fun
was not over yet. I felt a little tap on my shoulder and another man in costume
told me to follow him. I looked at my parents, having learned no to go off with
strangers, but they gave me the thumbs up, so I went with the strangely dressed
man. He described to me what was to happen.
The red and gold ribbon our knight gave to me meant he picked me to be
his maiden, and since he won, I would be crowned his queen. At first it sounded
fantastic, but then he pointed to where I needed to go. My stomach jumped into
my throat as the butterflies inside burned to get out. They lead me to the main
stage, with the king, queen and my knight in front of everyone- the entire
stadium! There I would be introduced as the new queen and taken away by my
knight. I was led past a little curtain and, before I knew it, was the center
of attention as thousands of eyes gazed upon me. The queen led me to my seat
and announced me. I saw in between the king and queen and, as the knight began
to speak, she asked me a few question which calmed me down like where I was
from and who I came with. My knight came and gave me flowers and said I had to
give him a kiss on the cheek.
“Ugh, how
awkward,” I thought finding myself giving my knight a peck on the cheek in
front of the huge crowd who clapped and whistled at the sight. At the time I
did not know what this meant, but he told me the kiss was the rated G version
of the consummation of our quick marriage. I was then crowned Queen of Love and
Beauty and sat on the stage until the show was completely over. I was handed a
sash to wear for the rest of night that said my title, Queen of Love and
Beauty. I felt like I was the new Ms. America. My family waited for me
and laughed, smiled, and congratulated the new royalty in the family.