“"Joyful and serious, free-spirited yet disciplined, loud but tranquil, rich yet tasteless, lenient yet cold, chaotic yet peaceful.
An utterly indescribable, lovable realm of giants."
Seven years ago, the author fell in love with a country called the Netherlands during a backpacking journey. Afterward, they made a firm decision to live there someday, and after a long period of preparation, they finally embarked on their journey to the Netherlands. They stayed in the small city of Arnhem in the eastern part of the Netherlands, experiencing Dutch culture and daily life. This book is a travelogue written and captured by the author, Jung Mi-jin, during a year-long journey throughout the Netherlands, reflecting on encounters and farewells experienced while living as a foreigner.
"In life, are there days when everything sparkles and all our desires are fulfilled? Even if there are, such moments are so fleeting that they disappear quickly if we don't watch them closely."
he author, who had always yearned for the country called the Netherlands, decides to embark on a journey there before they die. Afterward, they stay in the small city of Arnhem in the eastern part of the Netherlands, experiencing Dutch culture and daily life.
However, leaving behind much at an age when it's not as romantic as it sounds or pretending not to care, is not easy. The author often struggles with the burden of reality and anxiety about the future, keeping them awake at night.
Nevertheless, leaving everything behind, the author becomes deeply immersed in the Dutch open-mindedness and diverse culture. It's a land where the happiness of the socially vulnerable, such as children, women, and animals, is considered. A society that embraces 'diversity' as it is. A healthy old age without fear of getting older. Through the experiences in the Netherlands, the author reflects on the days they've lived and reevaluates their values, trying to gauge the days that lie ahead. Moreover, with the safety net of the familiar social protections stripped away, they experience the hardships of being a stranger and once again contemplate the significance of relationships and connections.
This book is a record of author Jung Mi-jin's year spent in the Netherlands, wandering somewhere between romance and reality, daily life and travel, reason and daydreams.
Mijin Jung
I worked as a screenplay writer for movies and animations.
Now, I'm working on creating books.
I'm usually a homebody who rarely steps outside, but when I have some free time, I become an enthusiastic traveler, setting off on journeys.
In this way, I consistently engage in writing and creating books while exploring both indoors and outdoors.
Some of the books I have written include titles like "Mr. Who," "Black Spot," "The rest stop," "Everybody Knows, Nobody Knows" "No harm" and "How can"