Hengelo- you have probably never even heard of this place, let alone know where it is! Well I was in the same boat till I had an interview there and I found myself on a train from Amsterdam Central Station to Hengelo. All I had was the job profile and the research I had done for the interview of an amazing opportunity. I figured the rest would be fine and it would all come together if I got the job:) Did I mention I have a bit of a daredevil streak when it comes to exciting job opportunities?
I arrived at Hengelo Station- ready to get a bus/train to my hotel, I mean every city or town in Europe had a good public transport system. Even though my map reading skills were and still are questionable, I figured I would eventually find my way to the hotel and most Dutch people spoke English anyway so I would be fine. This was the first time I realized that this European town might be the exception to my rule and there wasn’t even Uber so I needed to find a taxi to get to the hotel. I still thought, well that would mean I needed a car if I got the job, no problem, or the obvious.. I would need to learn to ride a bike (no giggling please lol). So I found a taxi and the friendly taxi driver gave me a much needed synopsis of Hengelo. He assured me that this quiet town was a perfect place to settle in, that it was safe and peaceful and he had been living there for 30 years and it was the best decision he had ever made to move there. He also spoke about how welcoming the people were and I would feel at home in no time. He wished me luck for my interview and dropped me off at the hotel, his parting words to me were, “move here, you won’t regret it”. I ofcourse believed him, in all my travels I discovered that taxi drivers always give you an honest opinion and I was sure that’s what he did as well.
I spent my time there (before and after my interview) exploring the town. It didn’t take very long, it was small, little shops and restaurants flanked the narrow streets. I loved that the shops were all one of a kind and had little curios and trinkets that could only be found there. I spent hours wandering around and buying tea mugs and so many other things I didn’t need. I spent time on a patio, watching a live Dutch band playing and for the first time on all my travels, I could see myself living in this little quiet town. So quiet and peaceful, a place that I felt I could rest and the obvious, call my other home. You have probably guessed that I didn’t get that job, but the experience painted a very clear picture of the type of place I wanted to live in. Who would have thought this little town in the Netherlands, would propel my brain to imagine what I wasn’t even sure existed. I don’t live in my ideal town/city right now but at least I know what it looks like. I don’t know if I will move again, I have learnt to never say never, I know I am still on an adventure.
