The 5 Creeps of Amsterdam

January 2017

…happy New Year?

Please note:

This will be a different kind of post, since I came here with primary aim to seek work.

This will be my year, I am confident that starting January, I will find a career that I don’t hate and will finally save money to accomplish something that I do love.

Having left Asia last year, me and Jon decided that I should try Holland. I always loved Amsterdam.

1-Hot men

2-Many events

3-Close to family

4-Good salaries

5-Everyone speaks English

What’s not to like? What could go wrong? Don’t stop reading and you will find out.

It has been 7 months that I am looking for work already. Arriving in AMS, I felt depressed, lost, confused and having really low self confidence.

Should I stay or should I go? This has been my mantra the past 7 months. I have also not had health insurance the past 7 months- I guess I am lucky?!? If anything happened…or happens now- that would be mega expensive.

I am aware my negative energy is what attracts all these negative experiences towards me. But if experiences caused all my thoughts- then this is a frigging maze with no way out. A spiral of – emotions and disappointments. 

So, let’s begin this tale called:

The 5 creeps of Amsterdam

1. S- a passive aggressive dutch man who wrote me a letter (!!!) that you can find here. This was my host for a night. The man wanted something I suppose, but my purpose was to find work in Holland, so I did not spend my time drinking wine. 
2. D- Then here comes the nerdy stalker on the street.  He ran after me to tell me how beautiful I am and then kept walking after me and would not leave me alone.
3. The worst of course is the Peruvian pervert feet guy in my hostel. He touched my feet under my blanket and then touched himself. I yelled at him and reported him -of course.
   No- it is not over.
4. M-The Tyrant. Oh- so arrogant. Oh- such a bully. Oh- such a manipulator. Mister Tyrant was my host for 2 nights and while he cooked something so nice, he also made me cry out of frustration and his mean remarks.
5. Can I catch a break now? No…here comes J.- the probably straight guy who was 3 hours late every time while I was out freezing in the frozen AMS. Thank you couchsurfing…

So, let’s recap quickly

Here are the 5 reasons not to go to Amsterdam:

1-Hot men (Yes BUT arrogant and selfish. Even my male friends only offered me their private parts and absolutely no help in hosting me or meeting up for a drink, or finding work. Another Dutchie told me I had a mustache over dinner, Lol! I do not!)

2-Many events (me and a girl from Scotland went out to the clubbing area. We got refused 3 times. Firstly, because it is a guest list. Second because it is a private event. Third, because it was 20 euros entrance and not even a free drink included!!! Also- for the duration of my stay-everyone at all times only asked me which drugs I have done or plan on doing and bragged about their incredible accomplishments in drug taking)

3-Close to family

4-Good salaries (AMS is mega expensive. The ticket to my 1st interview by train and bus cost me ultimately 7 euros. The attractions are all 20 euros+.The food and drinks. The clubs. The tax you pay on your salary; The rental system is insane- you need to be registered at an address in order to get a bsn number, in order to get a job, but no rental ads offered registration, so it became such a vicious circle; Mainly I received replies for internships. 6 months and 200 euros a month…while having a rent of 900 euros a month !?!?)

5-Everyone speaks English(I went on an interview at Booking.com and we were 12 people applying for a very simple job. Anyone can do this customer service job. Everyone in the room was SO over qualified. PHD’s, Apple software engineers, 10 years manager experience,5 languages, people who have already Worked this exact same position in Booking.com and ETC. We had to do a 1 hour very demanding test with a lot of math- like we are applying for NASA. Then you need to wait your turn for an interview. I was last- I had to occupy my time for 6 hours. They chose someone else, but said they liked me a lot.)

• As for the positives, what can I even say? I went there for a reason. This was my 5th time in Holland and I find it ”fairy tale charming”. The views, flowers, canals and little hidden bars, an intriguing language, all added to my admiration.

1. DO go and enjoy a party week in SUMMER.
2. Hit a music festival or King’s day.
3. Try the blends of weed and see everything typical in the downtown like Anne Frank’s house if you don’t mind waiting hours on lineups.
4. But also, visit the museums (Van Gogh, hello?)
5. And check out the free walking tour. I learned a lot there but won’t spoil it for you.

Holland was ruled out as an option.

I was homeless and hopeless after meeting so many creeps and so many challenges. I did try to find an apartment, I did try to find work, but what I found was only COLD cold wind.

My interview was at a fashion company for an internship- well, they never called me back because I don’t have a BSN number.