Ik ben Nederlandse


Goedemorgen! Well, not technically. It's not actually morning but it's one of the few Dutch phrases I've got under my belt. I am currently sitting in the botanical gardens of Amsterdam. I parked my ass atop of a small bridge over a stream. It's a beautiful day.

I've been building a bit of a life here in Amsterdam. It's becoming a home of mine.


Life thus far? Before leaving NY, a majority of people heard my plan and immediately reacted with one of the following: 
  1. That is going to be a royal shit show. 
  2. You're going to smoke to smoke pot all day. 
  3. Taking up space in a window, eh? I'd pay money for a visit. 
  4. Ew. You're working in a hostel? Have you ever seen the movie "Hostel?" 
  5. That is fucking awesome, wicked, sick, or some variation of that. 
  6. Why in the world would you want to do that?
  7. You're crazy Kourtney. 
Well let's recap shall we and begin with how I ended up in this glorious life. Back in November, I ventured out on my own little Euro-trip. My second stop, the Dam, as one of the first guests in Cocomama, a famous brothel renovated, refurbished, and reformed into the city's first boutique hostel. 12 rooms house between 2 and 6 guests in each. All are decorated in the manner of a Dutch theme: tulips, delft blue pottery, cheese, windmills, water, traffic, royalty, and naturally brothel rooms lined with many a naked lady. Back in November, I stayed in the windmill room, bed 4, bottom right. I was welcomed in a home for 2 nights, made comfortable, served chocolates and wine over movie nights. They were 2 nights that left me wanting, needing more. So here I am! 

I live in the attic with Heloisa. Together we've transformed our anything-but-cozy space into a place we can call home. I live in the "love cave." 

To get to our home you must walk up 3 staircases, 58 stairs, 4 staircases and 72 stairs if you are in the kitchen, lounge, or laundry room. As you can imagine my calves are rocks and my butt is getting firmer with every shower, piss, or munchie. I should mention I use the main toilet on the ground floor. For showers, I hop around guest rooms. I've gotten to know the bathrooms quite well through this and daily cleanings. Life at Cocomama is a constant workout. I change and make the beds, clean rooms, do laundry, iron for ages, welcome guests, and leave travelers feeling welcome, comfortable, and informed. 

I strive for them to feel as I did when I left this city on November 9th, 2010: craving more, immediately planning my return. 

Well here I am. 

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