A frantic Summer in the air. It looks like every July is crazier than the prior year. I am astonished I didn’t breakdown during last month’s frenetic activities. Too much was going on; children’s holiday, new assignments, work, birthdays and flying to another country. That’s why I couldn’t pressure myself to push July’s blog out. Also, the nonstop sweet sunny hot summer shining more positive energy to be out and about.
Speaking of going out, everything is “open and normal” for a
while. Just stroll pass the restaurants terrace, enter clubs and festivals, it seems like business as usual with high inflation. Amsterdam Schiphol even looked like an airport with an explosion of travelers. I have never seen it this busy. People arriving 3 – 4 hours before take-off had to walk in queues of circles. We almost fell for it when we traveled last month. I was like “Hell No” I am not standing hours in snail movement to kill time under 36 Celsius degrees. Especially not with kids, when we can sit relaxed in a restaurant at the Arrivals, then pass swiftly through security one hour before boarding. A close call, but better than doing 2-3 hours in circles still hurrying towards the gate in the final hour.
I am all for choosing the kind of battles I fight, pass or surrender to. Anything that feels like displeasing myself but pleasant to others without any logical reasoning, I am automatically resistant to. I don’t like to be treated like a number, flock or reduced to my skin color, sex, status or age. I am so much more than a label. There is no need to put me in one box. I don’t follow trends, I am also not a trendsetter. However, I love extraordinary, good and quality things of life, but who doesn’t?
One of the reasons I went into events was because of the exclusive (party) events I experienced in cities e.g. Barcelona, Madrid, Miami, Köln, Lagos, Belgium. Most were small in numbers of people, but the best events I have been to so far. Well air-conditioned, so you could dance without even a little drop of sweat. Sound systems you can leave your earplugs for at home. No ridiculous queues. The most meaningful and interesting conversations with people you are happy to add to your network. The other day I tried what I did last three-to-four years ago, I went to a club with an Afro theme. You know those parties where the DJ’s drop hit after hit. No surprises or playing with your imagination. Yet pompously MC’ing throughout your favorite tunes. If that wasn’t enough to turn me off. The heat surely made it unbearable with the over-packed crowed and bad air conditioning system. By the time I left the building it was as if I came straight from a swim.
Recently I was at a few festivals. In the first place I was happy with the tickets. After I left the last festival I pretty much declared never to go as a visitor to a paid Reggae or Afro related festival in the Netherlands. I know the organizers have to make-up for the money they lost during corona, but damn, jam packed outdoor spaces, overpriced drinks and food, cashless systems, long entry and exit queues have finally put me off. Maybe I am getting too old to tolerate this kind of services. I have been there and done all of that already. I guess I needed to experience it one or two more times to know my worth again.
If there is one thing I learned from these last two years. I no longer accept the crappy things I overlooked as being part of a service or norm when it is mentally, physically or financially draining. At the end, it is my energy, money and time I am sharing with strangers for a good experience, which is often quite disappointing. So why do I bother myself? The answer is simple, my precious energy, time and money should go where it is reciprocated, appreciated and nourished.
What is important for you when you go clubbing or to a festival? What are your thoughts about services? I.e. would you buy something at a place again when they speak rudely to you? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
All images are taken in Zagreb, Croatia
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Thank you for sharing. It has been a long time. I get what you are saying.
Times has changed. Nevertheless I try to make the best out of all situations Good or bad. Thank God we can avoid certain things that doesn’t work for us. You are amazing! Have a good day ❣️
Thank you for your comment. Well I agree to a certain extend that times changed. I still remember club events with the same vibes like decades ago. The bad air conditioning system at clubs in the Netherlands is still the same like 20 years ago. Unfortunately some of these things will never change, because it also has to do with the kind of level of services is acceptable for the masses.
Nevertheless I always make the best out of each situation. It is my time, energy and money. I will be on that dance floor , dancing like there is no tomorrow. My point is if you pay for a good time and you come home thinking it would have been better you skipped or do something more useful, because e.g. the lukewarm crowed vibes, long queues, rude staff and overpriced drinks. Then you need to ask yourself questions. This is what I did with this post answering my own questions. Like they say another man’s food is another man’s poison. I am happy to let this part go once and for all.
Have a great week, beautiful.