But while these “big” things on almost every visitor’s must-see list are impressive and important, I have a feeling Gopi will be carried away by the little things, like zebra crossings in the Netherlands. In India, these seem to have a purely decorative function; motorists don’t care. So I can’t wait to see Gopi’s face when he steps on a Dutch zebra crossing and… the cars actually stop.
In addition, our Dutch streets – I’m used to just racing through them on my bike or on foot; they’re just paths to get from A to B. But Gopi will probably be amazed: they are narrow, charming, clean and many have those cute little bridges that cross canals. In Delhi, you don’t stroll through streets, if only because of the hot weather; in Amsterdam, it is almost a necessity, although Dutch cyclists are as dangerous as car traffic in Delhi.
Moreover, for him, just sitting on a terrace overlooking a canal can be an unforgettable event. Here he can sit without being questioned for belonging to a different class, as would be the case in India; here he will be as welcome on that terrace as anyone else. And he can enjoy the majestic view of our canals, whose beauty never seems to get old, no matter how many times you pass by.
Experience Perspectives
I remember my “first time” when I returned to the Netherlands after spending years in Delhi. It triggered a wave of emotions that touched me deeply. The euphoria I felt as I stood in front of an open bridge, while a sailboat slowly glided by, was a moment of pure wonder. It symbolised for me the freedom and beauty of the Dutch landscape I had longed for so long.
But it was not just the landscapes that struck me; it was the people, the culture, and the everyday scenes that made me realise again how much our environment shapes us. On the train, while looking at the platform, I saw an equal number of men and women walking by. This seemingly mundane scene touched me deeply, as it stood in stark contrast to the streets of Delhi, where men dominated and women often lived in the shadows.
What touched me most was not only the fact that women here in the Netherlands, seemed so confident and independent, but also the small gestures of affection I saw around me. A man behind a pram, a gay couple in love, looking into each other’s eyes, a straight couple hugging each other on the train – each of these moments opened my eyes to the diversity and acceptance that exist here.
It was a moment of intense realisation, a realisation that my experiences in different parts of the world have shaped me. It reminded me that we are shaped not only by our own actions but also by the people and places around us. And as I travelled around the Netherlands, I felt grateful for these lessons and for the opportunity to keep rediscovering myself in different cultures and contexts.
And that is what I want to pass on to Gopi. I will save Van Gogh’s Starry Night for another time. Because just as Van Gogh captured the beauty of the night sky in his masterpiece, it is the everyday moments of peace and wonder that enrich our lives. For Gopi, it will be the silence in traffic, the clear blue sky, a beer and a bitterbal on a terrace, and a bike ride to the supermarket. These small, everyday wonders will be the real treasures that give his life colour in the Netherlands and remind me that happiness can be found in the simplicity of existence.
