“Vrow Wielemösj? Who or what is that?” Editor PD looked puzzled. What exactly was he being asked to write about? He asked around and learnt that Vrow Wielemösj, the patron doll of the UM studentenvastelaovend, would be unveiled at the Student Service Centre on Thursday 1 February, by none other than Roy d’n Ierste – Prince Carnaval of Groet Mestreech – and his entourage. There was nothing for it but to attend the unveiling. When PD arrived, the receptionist told him there were nonnevotten. Say what? Despite having lived in North Brabant for twenty years, PD will always be an easterner at heart (he’s from the region in the Netherlands known as the Achterhoek, “which is not the same as Twente”, he admonished me when I mixed them up in my ignorance), far removed from the world and lingo of Limburg Carnaval. He decided to forgo the nonnevotten, unsure if the doughnut-like pastries were intended for members of the press.
Weak excuses
A few weeks earlier, our junior journalist LvdL sent a cheerful message to the Observant group chat: would anyone like to join her for Vriedag veur Vastelaovend UM? Even though most of us are in fact from Limburg, her invitation received a lukewarm response. The excuses were rather weak, ranging from “That’s the kind of thing I used to do when I was twenty”, “I’m only going to the parade, and only if the weather is good” and “I’m going into town with friends” to “I don’t feel like it”. “Well then”, wrote LvdL, who is from North Brabant, “the one time I try to go local…”
Feeling a bit guilty
That made us feel a bit guilty – here was our youngest team member trying to organise a fun outing, only to be met with resistance. “Let’s go bowling after Carnaval”, suggested editor WD. The idea was met with approval, although it did cause some bickering about who gets to call themselves an experienced bowler. LvdL agreed it would be fun: “Let’s go boozy bowling!” “Say what?” wondered some of the more senior team members. Ah, alcohol. Right. Let’s not get too carried away. “Count me in, but I can do without alcohol”, said assistant to the editors MJ, voicing the general sentiment. The date has been set.