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The 18th of July 2000, finally the day had come. The concert of Tina Turner in the city park of Groningen. I had the tickets in my possession since December. That morning I put them between my car papers so I would not forget them.
At 9.00 AM after we packed our things and we placed a bike on the roof of my car we took off towards Groningen. I went together with my best girl-friend Marja. The 2 ½ hours drive was very cosy. We chatted the whole way while we had Tina music on the background. It took us a while to find the campsite. Many roads were closed for all the traffic.
As we entered the campsite somebody asked me if I was a big Tina fan. When I said yes, they asked me if I was willing to do an interview the next morning on the radio. When I heart the time (6.45 AM) I refused. Too early for me the day after the concert. They asked us if we knew someone else and we promised that we would search for them.
At noon our tent and everything else was arranged for the coming night. Our backpacks were ready for the concert. At last I decided to leave my car papers in the car so I couldn't loose them!!!!
On Marja's old bike we went to the city park. I was riding and Marja jumped on the luggage carrier. All the roads were traffic free but we entered the highway. It was forbidden to cycle but we were lucky because at that moment there was no police.
We arrived at the city park main entrance in 10 minutes. It wasn't so crowded yet so we decided to eat something first. It was 13.30 PM when we went to a cafeteria. I was very hungry but the French fries and the meatball fell on my stomach like a rock. I became more nervous. Marja first wanted to do some shopping in Groningen but she changed her mind. What a relief!! I knew that if we would go to the main entrance after our lunch there would be a big chance of having a good spot.
We finished our meal and off we went to the main entrance. There we saw Elle (from the International Tina Turner fan club). We asked her if she was willing to do that radio interview I mentioned before. She agreed. We talked a wile and Elle introduced us to a German fan, Ivonne who had driven 800 km to see Tina. We joined Ivonne who was sitting in front of us (so now we were even closer to the doors, ha,ha,) We talked with other people and the ambiance was good. I was really happy with my place not far from the main entrance. (only) 6 more hours to go to see Tina!! 2 hours to go before the doors would open.
Suddenly Marja said something about the tickets. THE TICKETS? SHIIIIIIIT (sorry for this word) I forgot the tickets. How stupid I was!!! I told Marja but she thought I was joking but when she saw my pale face she knew that it was true. I almost had a nervous break-down.
The tickets were between my car papers, which were laying in my car which was at least ½ hour walking from the city park.
Many thoughts passed my mind. Under normal conditions the way to the campsite was only a 10 minutes walk. But now…..All the roads in the area of the city park were closed even Taxi's weren't allowed in it. I looked at my boots. How could I run with these? I wish I wore my sneakers My stomach turned around, my legs felt as limp as a rag and my heart missed a beat…. It was 15.15 PM I could make it in time but then I would loose my place. We decided that Marja would stay there. "I'll meet you again sometime" she said.
Half paralysed I walked towards the street thinking what to do next. I saw 2 policemen talking to each other. I begged them for help. They must have seen my desperate face because 1 said to the other in a Gronings accent "Ill be right back". Jump in the police bus, he
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said and together we drove to the camp side through all the blocks. He stopped right in front of my car. I grabbed my tickets and "my friend" drove me back to the main entrance from the city park. How lucky I was! I was so happy I almost hugged the man.
Marja and Ivonne were surprised I was back so soon and when they heard the story we all had a good laugh. In the meantime more and more people came and around 16.30 PM the doors opened. I looked where the stage was, Oh! so far away!! At that moment I could think only 1 thing….RUN, RUN as if it depends your life…..And that's what we did….. Half the way we both had difficulties but we didn't stop running. We were tired like a dog. Was it because we drank 1 beer we drank before? Coughing and gasping for breath we saw the gate around the stage. I took Marja's hand so I wouldn't loose her in the crowd. WE HAD MADE IT!!!YES! In the front area. We fell in the grass and I was out of my mind of joy! We were on the left centre and only 10 meters away from the stage. Good enough for us. We lost Ivonne, she ran faster than we did (she's younger)
At 17.45 the performance started with Taxidrive, an Australian band. Not bad but we didn't come for them.
At 19.45 It was John Foggerty's turn. He was good and he played all the famous songs from his time with Credence Clearwater Revival. The time passed quickly and the city park was filling up. Marja and me were standing in front of a camera on a lever. This camera took shots of the crowd and we saw ourselves on the big screen now and then. We had 2 inflatable orange lion claws left from the football (from my children) so we could recognize ourselves. Every time we saw the camera coming we waved with those things.
It became a nice game and we had a lot of fun doing it. John played 'till 20.45 PM.
At 21.00 PM my dream finally came true. The curtains opened and at the same time the grey sky turned into a blue one. What a coincidence! We could feel the tension….The music started and there she was….WHAT A WOMAN, what a stage, what a dancers, what a band, what…what…GREAT!! It all looked like a dream and I couldn't take my eyes of her, I was stunned. (Amazing how this happens to a 35 years old woman).
Periodically, I checked on Marja who was standing just behind and to the side of me and I was wondering if she enjoyed herself as much as I did for she's not such a fan like me.
When Tina did her last song she stood on a platform from a crane. Like a Goddess she was hanging over the rail. I was afraid she would fall! The crane stopped just above our heads. She was so close to us now. I turned around and saw my friend Marja waving and screaming Tina, Tina! I had never seen Marja like this before and I knew that she had also had a great time. The 2 hours flew away and we had a really great time.
After the show we saw Ivonne again. We bought something to drink and took a rest at the sidewalk. Our legs where tired and our necks hurt. One shouldn't do these things too often!! We said goodbye to Ivonne, searched for the bike and drove back towards the camp side.
Hundreds of people walking, the traffic was stucked and it started to rain. And we, we didn't mind, we were only glad we had Marja's old bike.
Anyway we had a great time, the show was outstanding and I'm sure this day will stay in my mind for a long, long time.
Thank you Marja for coming with me and thank you Tina for this wonderful evening.
Sassy
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