This blog was written by Bridge Year Fellow Nora O’Connell.
A few weeks ago, my best friend here in Amsterdam brought me to a gala for her university. In between making awkward small talk with random pairs of people, we went to the “tarot card reader” off in the corner. And by “tarot card reader,” I mean a member of the university who WikiHow’d their way into reading tarot cards. Works for me though. I was given some vague messages, but one that stuck out was that I needed to watch out for my own stubbornness. Also, very vague. But, weeks later, I am still reflecting on this message. During travel (especially solo travel), it’s easy to get stuck in your own ways. There’s nobody here to call you out on it, and you’re running the show entirely. I frequent the first café I went to in Amsterdam. There’s comfort to it of course, but the espresso is bitter, and the workers still don’t know my name (even though I’ve given them most of my stipend). Today, as I biked to my go-to, I changed it up and instead went to the café directly next door. Baby steps! And the espresso was less bitter. My decision to try a different café honestly felt like my decision to take a gap year. Haha, sort of. But bear with me for this metaphor. Our stubbornness and desperate need for comfort keeps espresso and life bitter. For future gappers reading this, alumni, or whomever—get out of your own way. Try that new café, book that train ticket, try that new hairstyle. Tune in below for some of the new things I’ve tried recently.
This was what I scribbled in my notes app during the tarot card reading. The beginning of it all !
Here is this incredible warm hummus with pickled vegetables I tried at the Saturday market in my neighborhood.
A card game I learned with some friends visiting! I won—maybe winner’s luck or maybe I am just the best.
A dream dress at a museum I went to on a whim! It’s Yves Saint Laurent!!
