Wrapping up Netherlands
Coming to Netherlands still was one of the best decision I ever made it favour my life with something important.
I have earned courage through this journey.
I had filed the first law suit of my life, signing up for a brunch of dance class, working in a vegetarian restaurant, having my first pottery art market, becoming a wwoofer, trying couch surfing for the first time. Even now I am siting in a farm writing my blog accompany with a beautiful sunset and a dog or two in Italy. None of this will happen if I didn’t go to Netherlands last year.
A very treasure lesson learnt, do not under value yourself and stand for yourself. The law suit last for about 5 months it was a torture for me, this entire time I was always thinking should I just let it go, should I just give up. But actually I know I am doing the right thing to fight for myself. But it is tough especially when I were alone in another country. ( I search through tons of lawyer and I only found one who can speak English) The whole situation always put me in doubt will my justice ever come or this world will always flavour the rich and power. ( I even draw a tarot card daily to foresee the result of this law suit) At last I won the case I got my compensate, trust yourself and fight for your right even if it is hard.
Later, I found a job at a vegetarian restaurant and it was one of the greatest thing ever. “Restaurant Rontonde” I called them the unicorn in the industry, it was truly unlike other restaurant.
There is no sense of hierarchy, no sexist, no discrimination or racism they are very transparent and free(but still love to drink). This is the first time ever in my career life I see the chef clean the walking, store room and dishes( most of the chef will just point finger). A brunch of witty people working together sharing though and perspective.
I met a girl here called Lisa she had inspired me.
I would say she had many special experience that had truly motivate me to do things I never thought of. She taught me to value my work, never underprice my value and she encouraged me to become a WWOOFER. And that was how I ended up in a farm somewhere in Italy now.
Even though it was a short time working in “Restaurant Rontonde”, but they have shown another way to present fine food in a harmonious environment. Someday things might be chaotic but you can always count on your team, a true one team one dream.
The pottery market is the high light for this journey-
It still feel so unreal that I had a pottery market! Before coming to The Netherlands I already said to myself let’s find a studio and at the end of my exchange time lets sell everything I made in the market. But I didn’t really think it through, am I really doing this? Who will buy my stuff? But this was a promise to myself, that this was one of the purpose I came to The Netherlands.
With the help of Lisa I have successfully bough a spot at the makers market in Amsterdam, it all seemed on track. But mentally I were not ready I can’t foresee the market, my mind was all over the place. And here come the DAY, after work I rushed to home packed and priced everything till 3am, I laid on my bed shut my eyes waiting for my alarm to ring off.
My alarm rang off at 8am I opened my eyes, it was happening I was on the train to Amsterdam with my suitcase, my eyes were wide opened but unconscious. I knew what I was doing but I could not feel anything. Next thing I knew I was already at the venue setting up for my booth, I laid out all my pottery and tote bags with my drawing. And then we wait……
The market started at 11am, people walked by showed their interest and appreciation for my pottery, but no one bough anything. 3 hours passed by I had zero customers, at this point I told myself at least you tried. And all of a sudden a teenage boy jogged to me and pointed at my tote bag said he wanted to buy one, I was all shocked and stoned. I quickly handed him over the tote bag, and he happily handed me over the money. The coins that he put on my hand were warm, I guess he had been holding up the coins for a while before he asked me to sell him the bag. He warmed me, brought me wide awake now things felt real. And I consciously watched him slowly disappeared in the crowd with my tote bag. ( fuck I forgot to ask him for a photo I was too stunned)
Later on customers shown up I did sold a several pieces of my pottery. The seller opposite to my booth came over and told me all her experience of selling in the market, and she bought some of my pottery to display her jewellery.
You must start somewhere, believe in yourself always.
To my best decision, cheers guys!
