It's quite a long time since the day when my future aspirations would be shaped to become my life's biggest dream. Looking back 10 years ago, I can still picture myself on that airplane; my wanderlust was in search of an exciting new journey to lead to the unknown. That was March 2011 when I visited Amsterdam for the first time. It was love at first sight. Madly.
A Dutch language teacher once told me that I had a too idealist and romantic view towards the Dutch, as though I had pictured a perfect - or naive - impression of its nation. That statement had a profound effect on me. That conversation somehow turned me down and until today I secretly reflect upon this; ever since I have been trying to find out if I was actually wrong.
Some of the nicest street and cultural celebrations I have ever been to took place in Holland. They celebrate Carnival with much enthusiasm and joy as a Brazilian or a Venetian. But there are two parties that cause lots of uproar and cannot be missed, which you should go at least once in a lifetime: Koninsdag (King's Day) and the Gay Parade.