Parasols make no sense in Holland. I’m a rain suit girl. “

Equality Sports Attorney Merida Miller (32) moved from the East Coast of the United States to Amsterdam in 2017. He is the founder The project is grittyAfter school program for girls who break stereotypes through activities like boxing, skating and art, and who build confidence. It is a bit like Stropwafel, but it must be old; She loves tulips, but doubts Cjugenhope’s impeccable causes.

How did you end up in the Netherlands?

It’s a little romantic and a little off work. At some point in my life I needed a big change and had always wanted to live in Europe. My boyfriend lived in English and London so we did it away and wanted to find a place for a fresh start together.

I was working for Under Armor at the time. They have an office here so I went to them and came for the weekend to see how we love Amsterdam. It was February, it was cold, it was raining, it was wet, and we were like, “Yeah. Yeah. That’s amazing. I submitted an internal work study to say that I would like to move into the Amsterdam office and am so grateful that this happened.

How would you describe yourself – foreign, lovebird, migrant, international, etc.?

Hmm. Lovepad Gallery, perhaps. I think it was a love bowl, even though my boyfriend wasn’t from here because we wanted a place for a reboot. We both love Amsterdam very much. I think this is the city of just the right size. I am not a big city girl. This place is big enough to happen all the time. And as for Expot, I think I’m just a little under the community.

How long are you planning to stay and why?

This is a difficult question, and I think it is still a difficult question that we all faced with Corona last year. I am losing access to my family. Desiring to go to America is the greatest balance for me. But since the project is courageous and successful and I mean it, I want to see how far I can go. I love Amsterdam very much. My partner and I say we’ll evaluate what we want to go through in 2-3 years, but now we’re here.

Do you speak Dutch and how did you learn that?

No, I don’t. But mostly I understand that. I’m so good at taking environmental clues, I can read it to an extent, but I’m not really talking about it yet. I like to take a week off and do more intensive study, but my work is badly needed, and I work every day of the week, and now I don’t have the mental capacity to add anything new. Next year, when it comes to work, a little more

What is your favorite Dutch thing?

I have several … the first drop. I like the black drink, I like the drop. Here are the sandals I buy in Albert Cube Market every year. And the StropwafelsBut I love them when they get older. Do not like it new iron; I like the very cheap car you buy from the truck. I love bitter And mustard.

But what I couldn’t really live with were the synapses. If I go back to the United States, I would place about 100 pairs in my case. Honestly, when I return to the States, all the gifts I carry. They are very lightweight. When people on these Facebook forums ask what to bring as gifts: Bracelets – no doubt.

How did you become Dutch, and why?

It made me laugh. Twice a week, every week, I go to the Skatepark to learn skateboards, skateboard snacks, and sometimes a broken, rusty breastfeeding baby. Rain and wind – whatever, you see me pushing through town. It does not have gears. This is not one of those fancy electrical appliances Cargo bikeThis is old school Cargo bikeIn the US, I don’t even know what Cargo bike It used to be. I know how to ride a bike, but I don’t bike because where I lived is too dangerous to go on the street.

The weather here isn’t my favorite, but I manage it. I have inexpensive rain pants, action pants or whatever, you slip on whatever you wear. They are longevity. I put them everywhere. I have about 1000 raincoats. Amsterdam is a city that is more one-way blowing than I expected. The umbrellas don’t make any sense to me so I’m a rain suit girl.

Which three Dutch (alive or dead) would you like to meet?

First Xiaojing ZhaoHe is an amazing painter and uses his talent and the media to fight for racial justice and the liberation of LGBTQI +. He has been making these cool stickers recently Hivos Everywhere they say “I am free to be”. they are beautiful. I love how amazing it is to share her work, making sure it represents all kinds of people and faces. She uses her medium, drawing and unique voice as a platform to inspire others.

skier Bibion ​​mentallyThe three-time gold medalist is gone at the Paralympic Winter Games. I saw her give a personal talk on Tedex for girls three or four years ago, and I’m so touched. It was full of fire as it went through everything. I taught people with disabilities skiing and snowboarding, which is my favorite job so far, so when I saw her do this here it was similar to me, and because she was afraid of nothing.

The latter are three: Lakisha, Veronica, and Sona. They are three young women who started an initiative push in Compulsory education Racism and discrimination in Dutch schools. What I love about them is that they saw the call to action, created a space and pursued it. I love what they do.

What is your best travel destination?

Bring good walking shoes! My favorite thing about Amsterdam is walking the streets. I see every neighborhood has its own character and people stay with Centrum and Jordan, they are beautiful, but Nord and Ost are so cool and great. Put some needles on the map for the different places where you want to have coffee or any other food, then walk and roll along the way. Wondelpark is beautiful, but I don’t think it’s the most beautiful park in Amsterdam. I really like Beatrixpark and Flavopark, and they make you leave the center.

Tell us something wonderful you’ve found about the Netherlands

Love how mysterious the layout and complexity of the Kukenhof Gardens are. Visiting it in the spring is like visiting the Queen’s Gardens in Alice in Wonderland. Everything is beautiful, breathtaking – but, you know, very perfect. It feels different.

Planting the bulbs to make them appear in the correct order is crazy planning. It is amazing. I remember asking a gardener why there were no insects or bees, and he was so funny about it, he was a little energetic and looking from side to side. I think they have insects to avoid cross-pollination of flowers because you are getting new lavender varieties. I don’t know if the whole place has some kind of pesticide bubble or something, but when you think about it it’s amazing and weird.

If you were only in the Netherlands for 24 hours, what would you do?

I’d go to Friesland in the morning and ride a Friesian horse on the beach. This is on my list of things to do in the Netherlands. I have always loved Friesians and they have been one of my favorites since childhood. When I was in the US I had an event, I was going to participate in it. But when I went to Amsterdam, horseback riding was expensive, unreachable and I wanted to meet friends in other sports.

I return by train to Amsterdam and go to my favorite cafes and make sure I can take some beans home. I really like it Patita On MouthI went for a walk with friends, sat in a canal somewhere and enjoyed the sunset. There is nothing better than boats sailing in the sun. Finally, when it’s finally time to go, grab a sandal and bid farewell to this lovely little town.

Read more about Project Fearless Here

Merida Deborah was talking to Nichols Lee