The Neverlands

The Netherlands seem to be an elusive destination. There were many attempts to schedule a trip there, countless even. No particular number comes to mind. The desire to go there is evident. Yet, life always had a way to say no. Why is that? 

There was one close moment when it almost happened. The return ticket bus ride from Rouen was booked. Three days were supposed to be spent in Amsterdam. Hostels have been reserved. Places to visit were listed. On the last minute, everything had to be retracted and cancelled in place of another destination. Mind you, not even a new destination. It entailed a revisit of a dear place with an important person. That was probably worth cancelling the pre-planned trip. Amsterdam could wait…. again.

In 2019, there were new talks to visit the Dutch country to see fields of tulips. This was brought about by the search for lavender fields, which did happen in summer of 2019.

Later that same year, a decision to finally get to this evasive destination was taking shape, at long last. Hotels were booked, events to attend were being coordinated, plane tickets were scouted, a circulation visa has even been obtained!

And yet, it remains to be a far-fetched plan, once again. Not only did the spread of the highly contagious CoVid-19 become a clear hindrance, but also because a two-week trip proved to be a costly one for such a short time (in comparison to a two-week trip to five central European bordering countries).

As I scan through the pages about the origins of the Dutch language and its connection to the Germanic languages in my current read, I can’t help but wonder, will I ever get to visit the Netherlands, ever? Or is it always going to be the NEVERland for me?