After 22 years in New York, back in Amsterdam!

How is it to be back? That's almost always the first question I get asked after we've exuberantly greeted each other. Whether it's friends or family members I haven't seen in 22 years, it always starts with a big smile, a warm embrace, and then comes the question.

Two decades, that's a long time, and Amsterdam hasn't stood still. I still recognize Leidse Plein, Nieuwmarkt where I used to live, and the University of Amsterdam where I once studied Computer Science, but it has really changed quite a bit. I’m just about not getting lost.

After years, King's Day Amsterdam!

Amsterdam looks more beautiful and well-maintained than when I left, but it feels different. Perhaps because, after all these years apart, we've grown apart a bit.

The Reunion

Still, I can't help but say that reuniting with friends is truly wonderful. From Derk, an old buddy from Suriname, I not only heard that I tutored him in programming, but also that I was the first woman to ever defeat him in a sport. He said, 'I thought, I'm athletic, I can play a bit of tennis, so I can definitely beat her.'

What he didn't know was that I was a squash demon. Super competitive, I played in leagues and spent my free time on the courts of Squash City. I even once ranked in the top 50 in the Netherlands. Indeed, I must have shown him every corner of the squash court, but honestly, I didn't remember any of it. 😅 But isn't it wonderful to reminisce like that?

Brooklyn, New York

The reunion with friends and family truly makes everything right, but the real reason I don't really miss Brooklyn, New York, my home away from home, is because I deeply reflected, made a conscious decision, and most importantly, said a very good goodbye.

Brownstone house in Bedstuy Brooklyn

Make no mistake, I still love New York. It's a gigantic city where you can get lost, where you can feel lonely and be swallowed up. That's all true, but it's also super vibrant, incredibly inspiring, and above all, endlessly progressive. That's why I didn't think I would ever leave Bedstuy, where I learned so much, where I felt so at home, until Africa started calling.

The convenience and the weather, but especially the friendships were priceless, as you can see in the next video.

Inspired by Senegalese Sabar dance classes I was taking at the time, I had already planned to travel to Africa, even before I left for America. It just never happened. Now I don't know if it's because of the Afrobeat music that has conquered the world, or African designs that touch me deeply – but the continent started calling more and more. I realized, the world is big; there's more than New York.

When in doubt, I always ask myself the million-dollar question: Where would you be now or what would you be doing if you had all the money in the world? What would you do or where would you be, if money was no issue? The answer that immediately, without any doubt, popped into my mind was; I would be, right now, somewhere in Africa! Then I knew.

Goodbyes hurt, you can't avoid it

Yet, tears streamed down my cheeks on the evening I left my apartment of 14 years behind. It was such a perfect place, so beautiful, almost everything I needed was in my immediate vicinity. So much familiarity was suddenly behind me. There was sadness, it hurt. Letting go hurts, so I didn't try to stop it. 💔 I had to let New York go to make way for what was calling me, Mother Africa.

Geez, I thought, do I even know what I'm doing? No, I still hear myself thinking as I walked through the dark streets of Bedstuy to my new, temporary address. My thoughts were empty. My face must have looked gloomy. After walking on, through tears and empty thoughts, I slowly but surely felt relief.

I couldn't leave NY without this party: Friends for life❤️

What I left behind was beautiful. There were highs and lows, but what wonderful years they were. Those couldn't be taken away from me. A feeling of gratitude came over me. That I had been able to live, survive, discover, and grow in New York was so special. Now I looked forward to what was to come. I had no idea. I couldn't imagine it yet, but it felt good, and I knew, it's the right decision. More than an end, this is the beginning of something new.

Drs. Mireille Liong is an e-commerce specialist, writer, and photographer committed to equal hair rights. If you want to stay informed, follow her on: Locs & Stuff WhatsApp Channel. 

Her book 50 HAIRSTYLES for your Natural Crown is now available for order.