So, I left Bonaire on the 1st of November and flew back to the Netherlands. As my TO DO list was quite long, I started “working” immediately: sorting out my possessions, shipping the first boxes to Australia, sending out change of address cards, etc. And of course visiting friends and family to say goodbye. I will miss you!! As Andrea, my youngest cousin on my mom’s side of the family, turned 18 the day before I left, I, being the oldest one, felt save leaving. I guess they are all old and wise now to survive!!

One week after I arrived, on the 10th of November, it was time to go, and I was ready to go. Packed with too much luggage I drove to Schiphol airport. When I left my sister’s place in Landgraaf, it was snowing, can you believe that. What a lovely farewell.

As I left Chantal’s place a little too late I got stuck in traffic and I thought I would miss my plane. But when I arrived at the check in counter I was (luckily) still on time. Puf, puf!! And I could take all my 40 kilos.

Petra and dad, thanks for coming to the airport to wave me goodbye and for Petra and Alex: all the best in the next nine months.

So, there I was, sitting with my boarding pass, waiting for the plane to board. “When will be the next time I will touch down in the Netherlands”, “am I doing the right thing”, a lot of questions crossed my mind. But you know, since I first went to Australia two years ago, it was clear for my: this is the place I want to spend more time.

And now I’m almost one week in Sydney and it felt like coming home. I’m staying with my friend Paul and his family for the moment, met already some old friends (and spend a night in the Belgium beer café!!) and am job hunting. The SAP market seems very good at the moment, but I only will agree once I have a job!!!

My contact details for the moment are: Ruud Dautzenberg, 3 Camelot Close, Mt. Colah - NSW 2079, Australia. My mobile phone number is +61 (0)424412308

You all take care and cheers, Ruud

P.S. As you can see on one of the pictures, I’m not the only crazy one in the family!