In the fall of 2023, my dog Max, who had stayed with my friend in Amsterdam, died. That sent everything into a tailspin. As a result, everything here came to a standstill, and I was forced to return to the Netherlands.
The main reason was that all my belongings, including my photo albums with family photos and furniture from my old house, were in a warehouse in Amsterdam. These items had been brought there after my house in Amsterdam was sold. We had tried to have them shipped to Mexico, but that hadn't worked. Therefore, I had to return to the Netherlands. That had never been my intention, because I was happy here and my health was good. Ultimately, I left with a heavy heart.
My return to the Netherlands was a terrible experience. Initially, I stayed with my friend in Amsterdam. To qualify for housing, I first had to sleep in a homeless shelter among homeless people and people with addictions. That was a terrible time.
Meanwhile, I had submitted a request for housing in Nijmegen, Venlo, or Venray. These are the cities close to my daughter's place of residence. My request was rejected because my last place of residence was Amsterdam. This left me with the choice of accepting a house in Gouda or in the northern Netherlands, in the province Friesland.
Ultimately, I chose a house in Gouda because it was the best logistical option. However, the distance between my daughter and I was too far, so we didn't see each other much. Besides, I didn't feel at home in Gouda at all. It's a cold and lonely place to live, especially if you're single.
I also developed increasing health problems due to the cold and damp. This made it increasingly difficult for me to walk, and I lost the strength in my legs. And if I stayed in the Netherlands, I would end up in a wheelchair. I didn't like that.
I want to maintain my independence and freedom for as long as possible. I want to maintain control over my own life.
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