I arrived in Maastricht…

I arrived in Maastricht a day after the welcoming event organized by the JVE for the incoming AIR's, so I didn't have the chance to be introduced to my cohort. It was late at night when I got to what would be my gloomy home for that year, Talienruwe. I slept for twelve hours straight. On Sunday morning I went out to explore the town and my first stop was the beautiful JVE building, which I wouldn't be able to access until the next day. I remember sitting on a bench next to the parking lot in front of the JVE and taking in the moment, fantazising about the adventure I was about to embark in and trying to shake off that impostor syndrom feeling that characterizes me so much. All of a sudden, I noticed some activity occurring inside one of the studios facing my way. It was not my intention to spy on anyone, but I decided to stay still and not call any kind of attention on me. A (then) blond (young) man was going about his business and organizing his collection of books by the window. I remained there, discreetly observing and imagining I was him in my own future studio. I immediately felt a connection, there was at least one other person as excited as I was about this that was willing to be in his studio in a Sunday morning. I would later call him my friend, my Dutch friend, Joris. We all had a great time in Maastricht, lots of memories and lots of alcohol diluted memories too. But we would only become close friends, in fact, family of sorts, in New Orleans, a few years after that time. I then had the privilege of witnessing him growing into becoming a loving husband and a great father. I am very happy to call you my friend, Jor. Welcome to the 40's club!