Breda

Another beautiful season slipped away from the fingers of Breda. Now the boulevards are empty, misty and millions of pointy branches stick out in the humid air. It is humid indeed. Breda has been my home for a long time now and I, trapped in daily obstacles, routines and curiously annoying cultural clashes, happen to ignore its beauty. Breda is special. It is pretty, yes! It is boring, no doubt about it! However, it hosted me for 2-3 years and funnily I miss it every time I leave. A manifold personality: mediocrity, pure genuine “Dutchness”, hard-to-find underground, summer loveliness and the spring-time fevers. Take this colorful mixture, stir it up carefully and add a pinch of feelings -togetherness, closeness and home comfort- and this is what the city has become for me.

Breda is the best place in world if you are addicted to the unique activity “ tossing pebbles in a river” and the worst if you do not listen to mainstream music. Breda's student life is vibrant and you will never lack parties. However, a jazz/rock/indie club would never be superfluous. And still the best of it is the people. Hundreds of international students come and go every semester. Dutch students tend to be less active. Hippies smoke joints in the Wilhelmina Park under heavy dreadlocks. Emo teens dwell around with no destination. People on bikes during the day and people under the bikes at night after the 7th biertje. Many bikes, many many bikes. And many many Bier beers. And those red-cheek old ladies hastily shopping on Saturday morning- so awkwardly cute in their boots, ponchos and skinny jeans. Lovely.

So, I am leaving all this behind again. Grote Markt will be replaced by Plaza de la Cultura, my biertjes will become rum shots in the hot Pan-American evenings and new cultural shocks will be leaving me stunned and confused. (And finally there will be mountain peeks in the horizon !). Breda, I will see you again next autumn, walking along the singels (canals), staring at the colorful sneakers of the passing-by Dutch youth.. On my way to school, in the park, in the pub, at work and at the after party. Until then, enjoy all those boots, sneakers and wheels that caress your body every day!