Keith K Nearly Meets His Maker

[Keith K]

I thought I would try an addition to this area of the site. Although I am dating myself, here is a true story from my youth:

In the summer of my seventeenth year I traveled Northern Europe for a month with a Catholic youth group. One of our first stops was Brussels, Belgium where we stayed in a youth hostel. This hostel was shaped sort of like a "C" or bracket "[ ". In the middle courtyard it was open aired and grassy, to the back there was a low stone wall topped by an iron fence. Beyond the fence was a 60 foot drop to the alley below. We sat out there, my friends and I, looking down into the alley watching children playing soccer on the cobbled street.

Later, while exploring the city I saw a billboard promoting the rock band Uriah Heep and their concert that was scheduled for that very night! Now in those days I really liked that band and the thought of seeing them in Europe was just way too cool to pass up. So I convinced my friend and 2 other girls we met as part of our tour group to go to this concert. I will skip over the part of trying to find this place in a strange city and me with only a minimum of French fluency...that was an adventure in itself...

Anyways, we found the place, enjoyed the show, had a blast and then tried to navigate home later that night. There another adventure in bus changes and wrong stops continued...

When we finally found the dang hostel where we were staying it was well past midnight. Now in those days the hostels closed at certain times and if you weren't inside then you were on your own until morning. We were in big trouble because the priests were going to be really pissed off that they had lost 4 teenagers on the second day of the trip! I am sure that there was quite a bit of consternation when we missed the head count that night.

I was in a quandry as to what to do. I didn't know my way around, there weren't any other places to stay, the females were bitching...it was a bummer let me tell you.

There was still activity on the streets and folks were passing by. I tried to converse with some of them in my fractured French but was not getting anywhere. So we just started walking and not too far down the street we came to a nightclub that was going full bore with rock music and drinking. We were way underage for America but in Brussels we were served all the alchohol we wanted. We partied for three more hours until we were too tired to go on. We stumbled back to the front of the hostel and it's heavy arched wooden door. Across the street was a small church that must have been 400 years old, with a tiny cemetery attatched. We went there and sat down amongst the crosses and stones to rest.

I was thinking, "This is not good. There must be a way to get in." That is when it hit me. The Courtyard of the Hostel! Of course! I remembered that the building next to that alley where the kids were playing soccer had these windows with bars on them. If someone was careful, he could climb from window to window up to the level of the courtyard and then swing over and grab the iron railing that guarded the back of the courtyard. Once there all he had to do was walk across the courtyard to the front door, open it and let the others in.

As I explained this cockamamy plan to my little group the women were all for it. (sure, let him risk his young ass so daddy's little princess won't get in trouble). Mark wasn't so certain though. He thought that the windows were too far apart. But I was tall, much taller than the others. I felt that it could be done. In fact I insisted on it. So we all walked the long twisting route down to the back of the hostel. We were down in the alley looking up at the railing of the hostel courtyard and I measured the possibilities from this new perspective. It appeared that Mark may have been right. The distance looked possible but very dangerous.

Stupid and undeterred, I announced that I was going up. I was going over, and I was going in. They were to just watch.

The windows were difficult to manage. They were shaped like arches - rounded at the top. The bars that guarded them were shaped to fit. I could just pull myself up far enough to reach the next level and I began to climb. After I cleared two stories I paused and rested, clinging tightly to the bars and hoping that they were all well anchored. It hadn't occured to me that they may pull out of the dang building from my weight.

I looked up. Only one more level to go. I pulled myself up and was level with the courtyard. Almost. Not quite level actually, now that I was up there and could see better. The final move to be made...the one that would put me on the railing of the courtyard...was too far!!! I was long and tall but it just was a bit too far to swing from the window of my building to the hostel next door.

I looked down. There were my three friends below me watching. I decided that I couldn't make the maneuver and would have to retrace my steps. That is when I discovered that down was not an option either. At least down by climbing. Down by falling was much more likely. The windows were recessed, and the bars were fitted inside. It was like a smooth wall below me with no footholds.

I can still remember vividly the thoughts that raced through my dazed brain as I clung to that window and felt the wind blowing on my face that summer of 1973. Even as I sit here now almost 32 long years later. It was a picture of the local paper with a bold headline Youth Dies In Fall Abroad! Oh! How my heart was beating! Let me tell y'all I was feeling pretty scared all of a sudden. The alchohol was wearing off quickly with the adrenelene rush of my life being at stake, and I was thinking since I cant go down, I will have to make the attempt to swing over the long distance to my left that would put me safely home.

There was only going to be one attempt. I knew this. I was going to have to hang on the window bar with my right hand, swing my whole body over and reach out with my left hand to the next building. I could not do this without letting go of the window bar at the apex of my swing maneuver. It was right out of Arnold Swarzenegger or The Matrix or something like that.
If I missed the railing I would continue falling to the cobbled street below.

Of course I made it. Obviously, since I lived to tell the tale. My hand found the bottom of that railing and I clung to it for dear life. I quickly brough my right hand over and now I was almost done. I had two hands firmly clutching the the iron railing, (Hell, pressing grooves in them I was hanging on so tight). My feet were dangling, and my fans were cheering below. I pulled myself up and over. I was in!

I looked down at my friends. Down in the alley where the children play. Triumphantly I raised my arms ala Rocky and jumped up and down. Seriously, somebody should have been playing that music from Rocky it was such a magnificent moment for me. I called down to them and told them to start walking back and be very quiet when they tapped on the door. I lay on my back in the courtyard grass and looked up at the stars of Belgium and waited. It was going to take them at least 20 minutes to walk all the way back around to the front door of the hostel.

When I felt that they should almost be there I carefully snuck over to the main door. All was quiet and all were asleep. Or so I thought. Just as I heard a soft tapping at the door and was about to open it, a firm hand suddenly grasped my shoulder. Surprised, I turned around and found myself staring into the not too pleased face of Mr. Reynolds, one of the adult volunteers for our tour. He told me "This hostel does not open until 7am. You may enter it then". He then opened the door and put me out with my disheveled friends. The door closed and the lock was set again. And there I stood. Right where I was so many hours before. I learned many lessons that night and not least among them was a lesson in irony.

[Earniel]

Quite an adventure! You go through all the trouble to get in and then you get kicked out again. Ironic indeed.

[Nurvingiel]

Wow that was really well-written! That's awful that you got kicked out at the end, but it sure makes for a great story! What kind of evil bastard kicks a young person out on the street at night in a foreign country!? Seriously people.

I enjoyed the true tale of adventure though Keith K, nice addition!

What did you guys do all night though?

[Keith K]

Well, we sat in that cemetary for a while before I formulated my plan. And before we got there and after we left the nightclub, we went to a park nearby because the benches were a place to sit down at least. It must have been 4 am or so when we were at the park. I did say we were at that club for hours. There was a British bartender there who sort of took us under his wing. We laughed and danced all night. Heck, we were young, away from our parents (many for the first time) in a new and exciting atmosphere and we had girls with us! But through it all my mind was always worried about the fact that we were supposed to be in bed in the hostel and we were going to be in serious trouble when this night was over.

And we were in trouble too. First they threatened to send us home on the next plane. Then they settled on grounding us. We were put on a 4 day "suspension". That meant that we could not leave the hostels unless we were with the whole group on a tour. Otherwise we had to kick our heels at the hostel. Some of those tours seemed sort of uninteresting (although I regret I missed a few of them now), and we hung out and played cards a bit together. Also, I was somewhat of a rebel in those days so I snuck away a few times when we were in Bonn, Germany. Mark and I went down and walked along the Rhine one night against the rules. While there we heard a squeal then a splash. We ran over to investigate and these 3 German girls were trying to pull a 4th one out of the river where she had fallen into. They spoke pretty good English and we hung out with them for longer than I had planned. So we ended up getting caught again by the priests when we got back. I was a very good boy for the next two days in Germany. They were so frustrated with me that they made a deal that I would be off probation if I didn't cause another ruckus for at least two days. Lol. Adults are idiots. By the time we got to Copenhagen I was running wild again.

As for how could he put me out the door in a strange country...well, by then it was nearly dawn. Close to 6 am I suppose. The hostel was about to open again. That is probably how I got caught. The dude was already awake. Still, now that I am an adult and look back I agree with you and that it was not too bright. He should have pulled all of us inside to keep tabs on us. I would not have put kids out if I was in his place.

We stayed near that church mostly since we could see the door to the hostel from there. You have to remember that we were strangers in a strange land and that door was our only connection to home.

[Jonathan]

Very interesting Keith, thanks for sharing with us! True stories are always the best

[Nurvingiel]

Yeah I agree with Jonathan. The true-ness makes this story even more awesome.

I enjoyed the epilogue - you really write well!

[Keith K]

Another note that may be of interest is the part of the story where I was remembering my thoughts as I clung to the window. That is absolutely how it happened and was not "poetic license". I have heard that in moments like that a person achieves some kind of clarity. The life that passes before your eyes in an instant, a supreme peace, or perhaps even extreme terror.

In my case, it was feeling that breeze and knowing that in a few moments it might be the last breeze I felt. As I thought this I thought of those that would be left behind and that is when I got that mental image of the newspaper headline. I could literally see it in my mind. A few heartbeats later I took a deep breath and launched myself into glory.

[Rosie Gamgee]

That is rich!!! OMGollum, that's really funny and incredibly good. You've really got a way with words.
I was listening to 'Consequence Free' by Great Big Sea as I read this, and it fit so well! Hilarious, and somehow touching. Neat adventure.

[Keith K]

I want to send a heartfelt thank you to Nurvingiel, Earniel, Jonathan and Rosie Gamgee for not just reading my story but for taking the time out to actually comment on it. While it was easy to write from the standpoint of it being a true memory, I put a lot of effort into an attempt to make it flow well and hold the reader. These things are difficult to write as I have discovered and I have a new appreciation for writers and their creative works. (this was my first attempt at presenting a work of mine to the public) I promise that I will try and spend some time in this area of the site and read some of y'all's writings over the next month. Now that I understand a bit more how these things are "labors of love" I feel I owe it to y'all to see what else is in here. And if any other readers are still with me please weigh in with a critique. Not just praises either. I can take criticism and use it to improve myself. Again thanx.
Keith

[Beruthiel's cat]

What a great story, Keith! It's such a comfort to know that I am not the only one who frequents the 'Moot who knows that Uriah Heap was not just the Dickens character. (They were more my brothers' taste in music. I was accoustic-girl...CSN & Y, S & G, John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot...). Anyway, I'm glad to see that "what was I thinking???" moments happen to everyone, and I'm glad you could share yours with us!

[Earniel]

Originally Posted by Keith K

These things are difficult to write as I have discovered and I have a new appreciation for writers and their creative works. (this was my first attempt at presenting a work of mine to the public) I promise that I will try and spend some time in this area of the site and read some of y'all's writings over the next month.

For a first attempt to presenting your work, it is really good. I can say I wouldn't have dared climbing to the window as you did, but the way you wrote it, I could almost imagine being there.

Although I must admit I had taken you for someone a lot younger. (I suck at guessing ages.)

I also have to admit that one of the reasons I read and commented on your piece is because I caught the name Brussels and as I happen to live in Belgium it aroused my curiosity to see just what you had been up to there.

[Keith K]

Ah, the Beauty of Belgium!
Who cannot but admire the Buildings of Brussels?
The security of their Windows, the strength of their gates?
Belguim! Belgium! You still call to me.
A great place to visit, (and I may never leave)!

LOL

[hectorberlioz]

Excellent prose Keith-K! Very enjoyable, besides amazing since its true.

[Bombadillo]

Wow! Very good. That reminds me of Catcher in the Rye, a lot actually. It sounds just like something Holden might have done.

To sound more consistent (and/or more like you're dating yourself), you could replace the Arnold and Matrix references with less modern examples. That would leave me more connected with you, esspecially since that comes right after your train of throught during the leap. Other than that I don't see anything you could improve on. (It would probably be too much to ask for more info on your "other adventures," because I guess their not as important. You always could if you wanted to tell any more though. But that's just my Tolkien fan talking. ) I esspecially liked how you were "pressing grooves" in the railings!

I took a couple of trips to Europe as part of a youth group, and in hindsight I regret adhering to the rules so much. It sounded like you had fun at least, and wound up with better stories to tell. You regret zoning out during some of the tours but ultimately I missed out on more than you did.

EDIT: OT: I never heard of Uriah Heep before so I looked them up online and read a short bio. Awesome! Metal and progressive rock are my favorite genres, and anyone with an album named Demons and Wizards is worth hearing by default. Plus I always thought there should be more orchestrated heavy metal. I'm about to download some. Dude, excellent taste.

[Valandil]

Keith - glad you made it!

Yes folks, he turns out to be a very good story-teller... he's also a good "Riddler"!

[Earniel]

Originally Posted by Keith K

Ah, the Beauty of Belgium!
Who cannot but admire the Buildings of Brussels?
The security of their Windows, the strength of their gates?
Belguim! Belgium! You still call to me.
A great place to visit, (and I may never leave)!

LOL

Oh, now you're just fishing for compliments.

[Keith K]

Originally Posted by Eärniel

Oh, now you're just fishing for compliments.

Actually, I wrote that little ditty on the spot just for you Erniel, since you are a resident there. I kinda liked it myself...lol



As for you Bombadillo, I wrestled with that Matrix reference for a while. My first impulse was to use Tarzan since he swung from vine to vine and I was swinging from building to building. But I thought the more current references to Arnold etc. would convey a more daring and action packed feeling. Especially to younger readers who would be more familiar with them.

I do thank you for reading close enough to make a comment on that particular point.

Also, I am wondering how you liked Uriah Heep and Demons & Wizards? I don't listen to it much anymore. All those albums were lost long ago it seems. I remember I was particularly fond of the album Salisbury, so check that one out too.

[Tessar]

Who's Arnold?

For that matter, what's the Matrix?

THE YOUNGER GENERATION DOES NOT UNDERSTAND!!

[Bombadillo]

No problem. I love constructive criticism.

I can't think of any other celebrity examples who would deliver such an impact either, probably in part because I'm too young. But maybe "the Olympic games" would suffice. Regardless, I don't think you should change your whole sentence. I like the metaphor "It was right out of..."

Salisbury, I've only heard the song so far, and none other on that album. But Gypsy sounded good, and the album The Magician's Birthday party is great. I have the title song in my head, which kind of stinks because it's so wierd I can't remember how it goes; my memory doesn't do it justice. I'll have to buy that after I fix my CD player.

[hectorberlioz]

Originally Posted by Tessar

Who's Arnold?

For that matter, what's the Matrix?

THE YOUNGER GENERATION DOES NOT UNDERSTAND!!

Whatever

So Keith-K, you're a good riddler are you? I might send you a tough (I think) nut to crack...