My 'Dam Life by Sean Condon
An amusing story of an outsider's view of Amsterdam
Tulips. Wooden shoes. Beer. Prostitutes. Welcome to the Netherlands.
In My 'Dam Life, Sean Condon documents his experiences in the Lowlands after his wife Sally is relocated for her job as a magazine editor. Unemployed, Sean goes along for sake of adventure but things get a bit complicated when, shortly after they arrive in Holland, Sally's employer goes bankrupt and she is out of a job.
My 'Dam Life is incredibly funny for anyone who has ever lived in the Netherlands. Condon experiences the general lack of any form of customer service, learns how to eat an open-faced sandwich with a fork and knife, gets his bike stolen, is nearly blown up during the fire work exhibitions of New Year's Eve, and has friends named Jaap the bus driver and Joop! (exclamation point added to show how you say Joop!).
I laughed out loud during comments about a Dutch doctor asking Sally "Now, which leg was it again?" before he operated on and when the Condon's bought their first door nameplate.
You don't have to be familiar with the quirks Dutch culture to appreciate this book. Condon tells a great story of struggling to figure out what he wants to do with his life.
Just as in Australia, he goes through a number of different short-term jobs in Amsterdam. Despite the uncertain circumstances, he is able to have some very interesting experiences including a dinner with Holland's famous "Happy Hooker" and 60 seconds with film director Francis Ford Coppola.
This is a must-read for anyone who has ever lived in Holland and a pretty amusing read for anyone who has tried to chase their dreams and failed miserably.
