‘Shocking that many families in such a prosperous country are having a hard time’

Ciao Tutti,

Now that I have been living in Italy for more than four months, I have only noticed how drastically our lives have changed.

In the Netherlands, more than 1 million people live below the poverty line, 1 million people. There are 172 food banks alone, because mothers, families can no longer make ends meet. I received a message from a mother who said that she was dreaming about my emigration stories and that she was going to do everything she could to leave the Netherlands, because she hadn’t been able to do anything fun for five years because she couldn’t manage it financially. When I shared on social media that I was taking my things to clothing banks just before we emigrated, a young mother sent: ‘It’s great that beautiful things end up there, I also get my clothes and those for my children.’

Everything is expensive

As a mother, you want nothing more than to make your children happy and to spoil them every now and then with something nice. Although making happy does not mean giving gifts, because unconditional love and attention is enough. But if their friends do have nice things and your child also asks for it, it must be very painful. Before we emigrated, I donated eight garbage bags full of clothes to the clothing bank and the Salvation Army, and brought boxes of toys to the toy bank. You can find these in Amsterdam-West and Haarlem, among others. So good that such foundations exist, but also quite shocking that a lot of families in such a prosperous country have an extremely hard time. How much you pay for absolutely everything from groceries, rent, mortgage, insurance and energy to phone subscriptions, diapers and clothing, everything is expensive. And if you get a fine, then you will be fined again on that fine. Not normal anymore.

It’s unfair

Here I pay 5 euros for a pack of diapers, in the Netherlands double that. We are only now realizing and feeling the difference of life – here we eat and drink with five people for 40 euros with three courses and then really the tastiest fresh pasta, fish or meat dishes. Why is the Netherlands so expensive? Why are you paying so much tax? It’s unfair that people work so hard to pay all those high costs. It is a question that we regularly consider, because we see that it can all be done very differently. Here you pay 1 euro, sometimes 1.20 for a delicious coffee. It’s just a lot more fun when you can live that way.

I was amazed when I first came here to see the average woman walking around with a nice Louis Vuitton bag and wearing Hogan shoes. Here you pay little to be able to live well, leaving room for other enjoyable expenses.

Also read: ‘Shortly after our registration with the municipality, the Italian police was at the door’

Help each other

We are starting to build a nice network here, but we have also met very dear friends in a short time and that is worth so much to me. The people show love, appreciation, admiration and helping each other is normal here. On Instagram, I make Reels for Ristorante La Rotonda and Pizzeria Pomodoro & Basilico, and they really appreciate the extra attention for their hard work. No problem for me, but it is received with love and the Dutch tourists here only like to eat at the best restaurants.

Brunello in the kitchen

They bake bread for us and the children are invited to bake a pizza at the beginning of the evening. Yesterday at two o’clock, after work, we had a homemade cocktail together. Arjen surprised us with a pina colada and we celebrated life, we celebrate friendship with each other. Brunello is emerging as a real chef, it is special how, at the age of almost three, he already has such a passion for the profession. Wherever we go, he eventually ends up in the kitchen, where he helps to prepare the food. He has been helping in the kitchen since he could stand on his feet and that is so sweet to see. Love goes through the stomach, he knows that. Quality of life is so important, have love and joy in what you do.

Everything is possible, believe in yourself.

bacio,

bien

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