Dec-2014
The luxurious stress of travel choices
Photo by Debby van Boxtel
It’s that time of the year that choices have to be made. Again. It seems every other half a year something changes in my life. If not earlier. I have been back in the Netherlands again for about four months now, yet I haven’t been home all the time either those last couple of months because I was lucky enough to do plenty of trips. Being back after those 7 months in Latin America, back home, there where I grew up and where I left my friends, I realized I wasn’t quite done with my own country. However, the travel bug doesn’t seem to leave me alone and I am craving for new adventures.
I decided it was time to check out some jobs abroad, with a new work challenge and to be able to explore a new place at the same time. That’s when I found a guide job in Italy for the winter season; the Dolomites will be my home for the next couple of months. Last week I got trained for the new job and I’m ready to go. I still have to be patient for a month though, since my season starts in January. Until then I can already brainstorm on what might cross my road after the season and how to arrange things. I am also trying to figure out what to do with my personal belongings. Should I drop a box with clothes at my sister’s? Perhaps leave some of my photo albums at my dad’s? I do know I need to finish packing up everything I have again, because it’s always unsure where life will take me. Even if I don’t own so many things.
However, December is going to be a fun month. No, a great month! It’s only the 2nd day of this joyful time of the year and I can pack my things again. Tomorrow I’ll meet my Spanish buddies for a few days of touristing in the capital of my own country with them. I am going to pick them up at the airport and show them the city where even I feel like a tourist; Amsterdam. I think I’ll throw in a visit to Zaandam and Volendam and most likely Den Bosch. I also can’t avoid the sex museum in Amsterdam, because they are going to love to be shocked by the Dutch open minded people. It’s going to be a blast! I’ll also visit Belgium in December. The city of Hasselt is on my Christmas Calender; a fun destination with plenty of options for restaurants with local food, many authentic shops and local breweries! I’ll make sure to tell you all about it afterwards. As I get back from Belgium I’ll have to start unpacking my winter clothes and repack with summer clothes as I am flying to Fuerteventura the day after. A week of surfing waves and exploring the island is awaiting me and I am so much looking forward to it! Guess what, when I get back to the Netherlands again from my surfing trip it’s already Christmas! For the first time in years I’ll be celebrating at home with friends and family, yay! I have such a busy month with so many great things to do! Loving it! And only a few days after New Years Eve I’ll be hitting the road to Italy for another new adventure.
Great choices I still think! However, it’s always a new start everywhere and you have to leave the past with its people behind. I’m simply in love with exploring the world and meeting new people, but I also truly love the ones at what used to be my home. I also know that within a few months new choices have to be made again. Choices, choices, choices. I always think it’s kind of a luxurious stress, if I can even call it that. I guess I’m young, wild and free and the compass simply changes its directions now and then 🙂
About Renate Rigters
Ever since I left my home country I felt at home at any other place I went to. I enjoy getting to know more cultures by talking to strangers and hearing their philosophy about life. Speaking with gestures when you can not find a shared language, finding places only the locals go to and learn about their customs and values. Hanging out with local people makes me happy. The experience of every new place is a step out of your comfort zone where I like to wander around until it feels like a second home.
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En Debby komt de 24e terug en die moet je zien!
Jeeeeeesssss! 😀 Als je kan, neem dan please nog zo’n Nicaragua calender tanktop voor me mee, die ben ik kwijt 🙁
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