Considering The Netherlands

Back in Holland for a month already. Miss the warm weather of Israel. Miss the adventure of traveling. Miss the relaxedness of life in Nes Ammim. But enjoy seeing friends and family again. Feel lucky to see another spring. And seeking new adventures in yet another small country.

Because I liked talking/writing/thinking in English a lot, I decided to keep my blog in English. Or well, at least this one. Who knows what happens in the future. Some people might have problems understanding English. But it's good practice for now. 

As usual my last blog is already outdated. I don't keep up very well. Since my adventure in Jordan many things have happened. I spend two weeks in the Negev desert. Working as a nanny with a family in the small moshav Nitsana Sinay, next to the border with Egypt. A family with five kids between 5 and 12 years old. Had a great time with them; spending time with the kids as well as personal time. And the desert is just gorgeous! Another thing I miss. I fell in love with the desert.

Then I also spend some time visiting friends in Nablus. Great place, great people. 

The last couple of weeks I stayed in Nes Ammim and made some smaller trips. Hiked on Mt. Arbel, close to Tiberias, and north of Lake Kinneret. Visited Nazareth again, stayed in Beit She'an, hiked on Mt. Gilboa. Flowers blooming everywhere, green fields, blue skies, warm sunshine. Spring was amazing! If I had stayed longer, I would have been out camping and hiking all the time. 

But I had to get back to the reality of Holland. It was very hard to say goodbye to my friends. So many things we shared: adventures, studies, conversations, work, life. I liked the way of life I had there, and had trouble imagining myself back in Dutch life; work, day planners, the weather, insurance-stuff, taxes. It sounded horrible to me!

Luckily I was welcomed with open arms and hearts and found a home with my parents/brother. Cause I lost my place when I left, I have to look for a new home. And since I don't have a decent job yet, I have no money to get one right now. Exciting times! An adventure in itself. Though this is not the one I like most, I admit. It's great to have caring friends and family and I enjoy the hospitality, but I'd like to be independent again soon too. So I can pay for my own drinks, stop living out of my suitcase and welcome them in my new place. Maybe I can show some Middle-Eastern hospitality in this country ;-)

There are a couple of things I really noticed being back in The Netherlands.  Just some things to consider.

- Appearance matters: 

The way we dress, the look of our cars, the maintenance of our houses and gardens, the phones and laptops we use, the bikes we ride. It has to look good and well taken care off. And we have to get more, better looking and more advanced ones to keep up with each other. Why? Wear it out, use it all, be retro!

- Ride that bike: 

I thought traffic in the Middle-East was chaotic. Until I watched the traffic on one of the canals in Amsterdam. Cyclists are a real danger! And then all the different sorts. Mommy-bikes, mountain bikes, race bikes, city-bikes, Babboe-bikes, folding-bikes, tricycles. You name it, the Dutch have it!

- Organisation: 

We are organized. Too organized if you ask me. Everything is sorted in a specific way and if something differs from that 'specific', it's a problem. Like me: not having a home, not having a job: it's a big question wether I can get an health-insurance. I don't fit the regular profile, so they're confused. 

Also in traffic. Okay, I just admitted that cyclists are a danger on the road, but do I really have to stop at every traffic light? And is it such a crime to ride without a light? And why can't I just take the shortest way, even if it's along the highway? I might get in trouble for those things...

- Lack of adventure:

Where is the time/space in our lives to get caught in an adventure? Our day planners are simply stuffed with appointments. We can name all the plans we have for this week, fail to make new appointments within a month because we're fully 'booked' and look up our driving directions before we leave so we don't get lost. Time is money, money is... Whatever! One of the most beautiful things about traveling, or lets say one of the things I appreciated most, was getting in places I didn't plan and meet people I did not expect to meet. I was surprised by things I saw, heard and ate (eating is VERY important when traveling ;-) It challenged me to think outside of what I had already learned/experienced and added to me. And truly, we don't have to go abroad to find it! 

- For sure:

We like to be certain. Know what we're in for. We plan our lives from childhood on (or our parents/teachers do so), we like to insure ourself against/for possible trouble and there seems to be a certain 'model' according to which live needs to proceed. If it doesn't, we might panic. I notice I'm the same. Two big certainties (employment and housing) are lacking at the moment and it freaks me out. I know my situation is a little bit odd right now, but sometimes the thought crosses my mind that I'm failing. Because I don't have the 'standard' of living that many of my fellow twenties have. For me personally, my focus at this moment is finding my certainty in God. Trusting that He will provide and guide wherever I'm about to go. Big challenge, I can tell you!!

Of course I put things very black-and-white now. You might say you don't recognize yourself in any of it. I'm only happy you don't. And I hope that I will not too, in a couple of months. It's okay to adapt, as long as we choose to do so. Don't just go with the flow, but consider the options before picking one to live by. 

Ask me in a couple of months how I'm doing on this. Please!