“Guys, wanna throw a picnic in Sonsbeek?”

None of us needed more convincing.

This is the place.
A huge field, surrounded by a small forest and a few lakes – barely touched by anything human-made.
The grass is green, the sun is shining and the people are happy.
If you ever come to Arnhem, don’t miss out on seeing this.

All you need is a blanket, some snacks and a few friends to chill with. If you happen to travel alone, no worries. This place is famous of its kindness and hospitality. All it takes is a smile paired with a gentle “Hi”, and you’ve made yourself a new set of buddies.

The amount of quality time you can spend here is technically endless – the only limit is the weather, except if you’re not a pussy to smile at the sky while it’s dripping.

They already picked a place, but I was kinda late from getting there because I was writing the story about the crazy chick who turned my Life upside down just a couple of days before this.
Of course, they wanted to know all the details.
No running from it, I guess.

As I was cycling through the city to get this Mansion, the weather decided to surprise the traffic with heavy rain. I had to park under a tree, about 200 meters from the entrance.
The sunglasses, shorts and my T(hin)-shirt couldn’t take it. This set was prepared for a sunny evening. On the upside, it cooled the temperature to the best possible degree; around 24-26.
When the Sun came back in 10 minutes, I finally got in and started to explore this piece of human heaven.

Before I could even wave, they were already screaming.
“EEEHEHEEEEY, ÉÉRIIK” – Shouted my Colombian Brother, before he hugged my lungs out of their place.
Then I was introduced to 2 French ladies, who were sunbathing under the clear sky which was flooding the town 3 minutes prior to this.

The blanket contained everything a man could ever need: Beers, chips, appeltaarts¹ and other Dutch cookies.
There was an abundance of food, drink and wonderful company.
As I sat down to complete the circle they made, they already hit me with the most important question of the day:
“So what are you drinking? We’ve got beer, vodka, whisk-“
– Water.
“Oh come ooon! You drink that all the time already!“
– Precies²

It took only 5 seconds and everyone was already pissed at this “healthy mentality”
Regardless of what people think, long-term health is worth more than peer-pressure boozing.

This was the moment when Huán pulled out a bag of weed
– Plan B, eh?
“Ohhoho, yes it is“
– *Khm* Son of a bitch.

As the clouds passed by even further, the heat started to raise.
Since we were surrounded by girls, it would’ve been inappropriate to take off our shirts, but considering our physical condition it’s not that big a of deal. People tend to be more tolerant when they see a 6-pack that doesn’t refer to a box of beer, but rather to a decent body.

Soon a jonko³ was made, diligently by Colombian excellency, who then lit up the torch of Helios and took an ungodly puff before passing it.
The secret sauce was the quality, straight outta Eindhoven.
One does not simply celebrate a good day with cheap ass things.

After a few rounds, there were no complaints.
The food turned to amazing from great, the weather seemed as perfect as it physically can be – and the company we spent our time in became something indescribably fulfilling.

Friendships are tightened during such days, sometimes to a degree, where the bonds can no longer be severed – even if the separation would last for decades.

This is when the idea for a dramatic shot came in.
– Can you handle a Camera? – flew the question to one of the Madams.
“If you show me…I can handle anything“

I wish this French passion and confidence was taught in other societies.

So I took it out of my bag, and put the Polaroid in her hands.

– Okay guys, how about something cute. Like hugging, or laying.
“I’m in” – the answer came from both of them.
– Let’s put our heads together, in a triangle, as in those cliché clips from the movies.
“Let’s just not put our heads in duck poop or something…” – Claudia spread the awareness for the downside of an untouched natural space.

And so did we lay on grass, rubbing our heads together like the palms of Mr. Montgomery from the Nuclear plant of Springfield.

“Three, two, ooooone -“
Click; * Bzzz *

If taking good pictures was a crime, the French Lady would have to go to jail.

She nailed it to the degree I would’ve never expected a Polaroid to come out with such a quality.
This made the entire day an unforgettable memory, regardless of how many decades will pass until our bodies end up in a grave.

Friends like them, however far they may be – will always be carried in the part of my heart that allows no feeling to cease.

Close those valuable days inside, seal them tight; because one day you’ll wake up old and wrinkly – and your best memories will be the ones you were brave enough to fully feel.

Take care,
Erik

16.06.2019 – Day 146

[Dutch Dictionary]
Appeltaart ¹ – Apple Pie
Precies ² – Exactly
Jonko ³ – Joint