Had an opportunity to travel after a long time and this time it was the Netherlands. Rocking Amsterdam, the night life, the free drugs, one would think. But no, this was all work.

My trip lasted only for a week, but what was impressive was the peaceful life that I witnessed. Of course, one would state that a week is not enough to make a decision, but the feeling was wonderful. A quiet place (I must be honest here that I was staying one hour outside the city), not much of a rush, people living their own relaxed lives.

The weather was another bonus. Winter just out, fall on the way, it was a blend of both. Evenings saw people leave the offices at 5 (unlike the late workers in Dubai), people having dinner by 6, shops closing by 8. Wow, why would some one from Dubai want to live there? One comes home at 10, and then you decide what to have for dinner? Shops closing at 8.. Sunday the entire country closed? Have I lost it?

Probably the fact of coming from a small place (Bahrain) had its overtures (difference being the weather). Life looked simple. You start early, end early and the rest of the day is your personal life. People manage their own business, the place overly European, though a mix existed in places, people seemed content. The ones who had moved there seemed quite happy not to move for some time.

Would some one from a city that lives on competition, people running for money, day and night, where flaunting of wealth is a common phenomenon, survive there? Would one leave all and move to such a place. Would a better quality of life be enough of a motivation to live in such a place anywhere in the world?

Difficult it may sound, but worth a thought.

(Visited 3 times, 1 visits today)