Final decisions and job seeking in Amsterdam

I'm just now writing in guesthouse lobby. This is 3 kilometers from Amsterdam city center. Walking distance.

Pic from Google. (Have to get proper camera some day)

Hostel is called Amigo Budget Hostel and it's located in Oostpoort neighbourhood. Staff is not too friendly but otherwise it's ok. From booking.com this place got review points of 6,5/10. Not too high but it's the same in every cheap hostel here. I'm paying 11€/night.

By the way if you are in a situation you need accommodation I honestly recommend booking.com. I've done 90% of my reservations through them.

Based on my experiences theres best selection of cheap hostels and guesthouses. It doesn't cost you extra, most of the time you can pay at the hostel and it's easy to use.

(Using affiliate link from my blog you get 10% discount from booking and I get 20€ bonus.)

Unfortunately I have to change hostel today as there's not cheap beds this night available here.

Todays' accommodation is 3,5 kilometers from here so nice day walk ahead. It'll be 11,5€/night.

Last time I told you how I arrived to Amsterdam to find a job. It came out it's not so easy process I thought. (As EU-citizen I thought it's just OK to work anywhere in EU without too much bureaucracy)

At the beginning you have to get an BSN-number. It's citizen service number you have to have if you wanna work in Netherlands. You can get BSN number only through appointment in city office.

First you have to set an appointment. There was phone number and online booking option at website. Of course both of them didn't work. So I decided to walk.

It was 6 kilometers to city office. It wasn't too hot, wasn't too cold. Sun was shining. You can smell intense flavours of marijuana floating all over. And see small coffeeshops, bars, restaurants, guesthouses and bicycling people all over between the canals. At the same time I realised Amsterdam is really beautiful city.

I got appointment for 25th of June. But it's fine. I think I'm gonna stay here for a while.

I'm aware that plans might change during the way. It doesn't make planning pointless. You have to have some plans. Or no you don't. But if you wanna get something done, it helps a lot.

Why do I wanna get something done? I want to improve. Why? Because we're here only once I want to squeeze the shit out of this one time experience as a human being.

And I want to be the one who decides the fucks I give, where and when.

To stay for a while in Amsterdam. Is that really a good plan? I have no idea.

This is the moment I always run to enjoyment. When speaking or writing gets too painstaking. Is it really the point you just have to stand insecurity? You just have to stand yourself incompleteness? And deal with it.

Yes it is. I think it is the point. When you walk towards yourself you almost see something you really don't want to see. Then you do something completely irrational to run away from that sight and this exact moment. And do something very different from what you should do.

By that you deny possibility to improve. You are stuck.

Think about it. If you used all the time for example improving your relationships besides you use for running after quick enjoyment. Stuff yourself with donuts, cigarettes, porn, eating your own skin, scrolling the Instagram feed etc.

Mentioned already I got appointment set with clerk and It'll happen 25th of June.

Now I just have to wait until then so I can get BSN number and it's easier to get job then. Just relax for two weeks and explore the city. Maybe I should also buy a tent and a sleeping bag.

At the morning I heard they're looking for employees in one coffee shop in the centre. Place was called Coffee Shop Bagheera. I decided to go there and ask if they still needs someone.

It was 9 kilometers from city office to Bagheera. Now I managed to take a metro. Ride took maybe 30 minutes and it was few minutes walk to Bagheera from Nieuwmarkt metro stop.

I stepped in.

"You can always leave your CV", the woman behind the desk said.

"I have it only in my email. Is there a plug somewhere for charge phone for a while?", I asked.

"I'm sorry, there's not"

"There's a plug", I pointed to the wall behind the counter lady.

"I'm sorry, I can't take customers phones here to charge"

And I don't want either leave my CV or still less work with that kind of an asshole. Fuck you.

"I'll bring you my CV immediately when I got some power to my phone, thank you!", I said and left.

What the fucking place was that again? Can't take customers phone to charge? When you have an empty socket just right there? What the fuck? Yeah it really is an impossible task. I understand.

So what's next? Every place they just ask you for leave the CV.

Maybe I should go to print 100 copies of my CV and spread them all around the city. Is that really a good plan? Have you ever heard about anyone got job by leaving their CV to somewhere? Me neither.

I'm thirsty.

What do I wanna do? Why am I here?

Smoothies and juices. For 1€. At the square market.

I walked to the smoothie tent and started to mastermind which kind of a juice I wanted to drink. There were strawberry, mango, kiwi, beetroot, ginger and orange.

I took beetroot-ginger-carrot-orange juice just because it's healty.

"This tastes horrible", I said.

"Thank you, I know", guy behind the desk answered.

"But it's very healthy. There's lot of minerals and vitamines. You can take another one if you want.", he continued.

I took kiwi for cover the horrible beetroot taste.

"I'm looking for job." I said.

"You are!? I'm hiring.", the Juice Guy said.

"Really?", I asked.

"Yes. I'm having one worker now and we can't do enough hours by ourselves. We need more people. Please give me your phone number and I call you back" he said.

I left my phone number to the smoothie guy and walked away. For some reason my legs brought me to one coffee shop again. I asked for a job from them also... and a joint.

They kindly asked me to send my CV if I wanted to work. Same time the guy quickly rolled one sweet happy joint for me. I went outside to sit and enjoy the evening in Amsterdam. (To be honest I didn't really enjoy. Just thought all the time: Oh fuck I'm smoking again...)

While having a joint my phone rang. It was The Juice Guy.

"Hey Panu! You still looking for a job? I think you could start on Friday if you want."

"Woah, really!? But yeah. I don't have that BSN number yet.", I said

"But you have appointment scheduled right?"

"Yes."

"No worries. It's ok. You can start while the process is going."

"Ok."

"See you at the market eight o'clock."

I had a job in Amsterdam. Just next to the Red Light District. I smiled.

At the same time I decided to be without smoking a single joint in my life anymore and concentrate working, writing and connecting with people.