Wetskills-NL 2025 – blog 7 –
Full Working Day at The Water Footprint Implementation Office – I woke up in The Netherlands! As thrilling as that sounds, all I remember from yesterday is visiting the beach and trying out some new food. I woke up with a bit of an upset stomach, but then I looked out the window and heard the trams rolling by, and suddenly everything felt surprisingly peaceful. Maybe it’s because I miss the view of Table Mountain, or maybe it’s just that I find calm in the simplest things.
I shook off the stomach discomfort, got ready, and headed to the WFI office to continue working on the case with my team. The goal for the day? Stay focused, make great progress on the case, and avoid fried food. But what truly made my day was the warm welcome at the office! I was surrounded by such kind-hearted people who had only met me 4 days ago, yet they were so genuinely concerned about how I was feeling, if I needed breakfast, or if I was okay. Honestly, that moment made everything so much better. Either I’m really lovable, or the world is just becoming a kinder place!
Two minutes later – or at least it felt like that – it was time for lunch. I’d been hoping to keep things light, but then Chan looked at me and said, “Wanna get lunch?” and how could I possibly say no? Thankfully, Chan’s a big fan of healthy food, so we strolled a few blocks to a cozy café that offered exactly that. I treated myself to a delicious dirty chai and a grilled chicken salad. I think my stomach was both delighted and a little shocked to be eating something light after all the intriguing (and sometimes questionable) foods I’d been trying recently.
The walk back to the office was refreshing. I noticed I was starting to shed some layers – the weather was either warming up, or I was finally adjusting to the chill. Either way, I wasn’t complaining about the change. We got back to the office and powered through two more hours of work, then it was time for the Integrated Leaders Forum round table moderation training. At first, it sounded exciting… until Ioana said we’d be moderating a round table of professionals and experts. Suddenly, I could feel my anxiety creeping in, warming up to put me through my paces.
But after the training, I realized what an incredible opportunity this was! Not only do I get to moderate, but I’ll also be listening, taking notes, asking questions, and connecting with a wealth of knowledge from experts across different fields. It’s going to be an information buffet, and I’m here for it. As the excitement started rising, my anxiety slunk away, tail between its legs.
We finished the training, squeezed in a bit more work, and I was finally ready to head back to the hostel for a well-deserved nap. My stomach had given me a break for the day, but I could feel a storm brewing… something was telling me that peace wasn’t going to last long!
I made it back to the hostel, rested for about an hour, and then decided to venture out for some authentic Japanese food and a cocktail. So much for my plan to eat light and keep the day all about work! Instead, I ended up indulging in five small dishes, sipping on a delicious cocktail, and getting lost in great conversation. Not exactly what I had in mind for the day – but honestly, the perfect way to end it.
