Black Expat Life

Well I’ve lived in Amsterdam for a little over two years now and it’s been an interesting experience.
The Dutch speak English and are very good at helping you out. I do love that once they find out you’re an Expatriate (“Expat”) they start with the  “Questions” like Mos Def’s song.
Here’s a sample list of questions:

What brought you here work?
Do you have a wife or partner?
Does your partner/wife work?
Kids?
Do you speak Dutch?
How often will you go back to states?
How long are you staying?

I’m also asked if I’m Latino, Surinamese , Moroccan or Turkish. Also where are my parents from and why did they move to the states.

Yes there is racial profiling and yes you get the mean mug when you say I live here while pronouncing your neighborhood correctly.

I haven’t had any racial incidents like I’ve had in States but you can feel the uneasiness in some places.


Overall a very positive experience moving abroad for The Most Interesting Nerd From South Shore.

A Few Things Amsterdam

So let's get a few things out there about living in Amsterdam.

Weed is illegal but is tolerated when smoked in coffee shops. The coffee shops are allowed to keep a certain amount there and growing it can get you in trouble. 

Prostitution is legal and the Red Light District is a popular tourist destination with tours and a visitors center.

Apartment hunting was an experience I will never forget. The places are smaller than in the US and rents are about the same. The buildings are older and some are even on a slant because are the houses are built on a typical foundation of wooden poles. The steps are very steep in some places and were a real trek when looking at third floor places. We looked at a place in the Red Light District which was located across from a coffee shop that was on a slant a trifecta of negatives. 

The canals are beautiful with some having houseboats which people live on. There are 165 canals in the city of Amsterdam. They are very nice to go to and hang out on a nice day with some having flower shops and restaurants on the bridge. 

There are more bikes than people in the city which is an amazing site to see. I have not purchased a bike but I will and I am sure there will be a blog about that. 

I am an Expatriate which means a person who is temporally or permanently residing in a country outside of their native country. Expats are a plenty here so it is uncommon to meet people from anywhere in the world. Amsterdam is known as a place that is friendly for people to move to and so far I would agree. 

Well the food scene here is exploding there are all types of cuisines since there are so many different expats here. The next blog will be about the different foods and some of my favorites so far. 

Tot Zeins!!  (See you in Dutch) 

Life in Amsterdam

                 

Well it’s been seven months since I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I accepted a job offer in Amsterdam. I now live on the southside of Amsterdam how fitting after living on the south side of Chicago for all my life.

They say “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” they ain’t lying about that.

Amsterdam is a cool ass city lots of history and mix of cultures. The Dutch have their ways and you adapt. The service in restaurants is different, saying excuse me is rare, bike riding is mandatory, stampot is a dish, markets are a plenty, and English is spoken by most. The flats are smaller and food delivery is amazing. I watch football (soccer) and rugby at the borrrel or brown bar with my neighbors. Go Ajax!!

I’m going to write more about this experience and my travels through Europe.

So enjoy the ride!!

Moving On

As reflection occurs during an unknown time in life 

The question for me was I living life through myself or through another  

Was I smelling the flowers of my life or was I admiring the flowers blooming in the garden of others  

I began to gather the essentials to grow my garden of enjoyment  

The planting of seeds was step one 

It was truly time to begin the process of growing my own garden of life  

Step two get sun for photosynthesis to feed my life plants  

A Chance Ending

I saw her by chance on the fifth day of the week  

I was cautious in my approach 
Her look of surprise was warming  

An exchange of pleasantries ensued  

I asked how did your summer go  

I went out lived and loved through my own eyes she said  

I didn't live through social media, inside an apartment, or through someone else  

I immersed myself in my own life  

She kissed my cheek and whispered  

Time for you to do the same  

Summer Blues

     

As the summer drew to a close
I wondered if I'd see her again
This was more than missing her touch, voice or just the smell of her hair
I couldn't describe what it was I tried to put my finger on it
My mind was in an unfamiliar place
She was becoming more of a distant memory
It seemed like the sunset of our experience was starting
I wiped away the tears to enjoy the beauty of our sunset

Bar Moments

As I took a seat in a place to get away  

I ordered the usual spirit for my mind 

I sipped and felt a tap on the shoulder 

As I turned I already felt who it was 

She smiled and we exchanged pleasantries  

After a workout of mindful conversation  

Another round of spirits followed  

Conversation put me in a zone 

As I yearned for more she kissed my forehead  

Her lovely curves moved toward the door  

She turned around and smiled  

I knew that meant to keep going on my path 

I am getting closer to where I need to be