A better you craves to be unleashed .

by Syrine Sbaa (Tunisia)

I didn't expect to find Netherlands

I am no longer breathing in the chemicals . I am free , or am I ? Several were the virulent diseases my hometown was encountering whilst I was inhaling crisp fresh air . It was ,almost, unfair . It was green everywhere ,despite the fact that it was August .Genuinely talking , my eyes weren’t used to seeing that much of that vivid color . 18 that I was , it wasn’t all about being euphoric for participating in a prestigious Quantum Physics program abroad. It was roughly about scurrying away from reality and seeing what it is like to live in a European country. It intrigued me how the people back home fantasized about Europe. The greedy ,inquisitive itchy feeling within the depth of my subconscious mind , craved a new foreign taste. Back then, that was , bitterly confessing , my ultimate aim to achieve . We were cruising downtown , Eindhoven, following the rest of the group . It was my very first time overseas,mind was rife with worries yet never been that elated . Taking in my surroundings . Tall,blond people, in such a compelling rush,minding their business , unlike people back home. They liked to get into your personal stuff . It made them feel powerful , even popular . Bikes .Everywhere. It was nearly impossible to go a meter without bumping into one . The biking culture . Sounded beyond appealing to me .A heart-shaped street lighting lamps caught my eye and I instantly smiled , taking a picture .Subtle details . “Me too, “ .My Bangladeshi friend abruptly uttered . “ ..Huh?” “ I was denied going out , and not to mention the dating thingy .I am not trying to insinuate which country is better or which is worse , but yours is more not so conservative . It somehow ,cherishes women ..”. “At most cases , yeah you’re right . I believe, it’s eventually ...more about us knowing how to iron out the wrongs in our society . Once done , we can claim then .. as a nation , that we will rise up .” Gaze still on the road . We have arrived at the downtown gourmet market . Simpletons , wealthy people , teens and families discussing matters ,trifling or interesting ones, I could never know .They were in Cafés and restaurants ,on the verge of bursting out. Bursting out. Youth in cosmopolitan cities. Crowds either disassociated with or overwhelmed by the outer world. We kept walking in the dimly-lit alleyways, and were given permission to explore the area , venture on our own .We headed to have supper. I was beyond eager to give my taste buds a moment to savor some lavish excellent cuisine . He then approached me . I was told he had a slight crush on me . A travel crush that I was , but I was flattered . “So .. do you guys still ride camels in Tunisia?”. He asked ,chuckling . His nervousness outweighed his excitement. Clever to be here yet somehow ignorant about trivial stuff. We could’ve talked about Astronomy. Arts. But instead I was offered a chance to alter his perspective . So, I laughed making him rub his neck in anticipation. “ No , Andrew ...We don’t , otherwise I wouldn’t be here . It’s only intended for tourists as a fun activity . And no ..Africa is not all about black people and not so sophisticated civilizations. “ We were about to leave . Then I saw her in the mirror . I didn’t expect to find her in that restaurant. She was blooming . Everyone praised her that night , for her elbow grease and various self-taught skills . This journey , a roller coaster of emotions, grasping brand new information, set her body on fire . Eyes fluttered open . The change needs to be hand-made, exhausting, straining, agonizing . Travel promised her ,no effort should ever be called vain. She would overcome hurdles , push past her limits . She would tell the world about her country . She would tell her country about the world . She would tell them a lot . She would be told about her . She would be me .