Alex & Yeen – the miracles on the way

Yeah, after the huge impact Alex has in my life journey, I think he deserves a special place. 😊

Do you remember the story? I met Alex in August for less than an hour at the breakfast table. It was at the guesthouse in Bosnia and Herzegovina where I had spend the night and he has just arrived. Afterwards he kindly took me a couple of kilometres ahead to the main road and went back to enjoy the mystic of Bosnian pyramids.

I did not expect to see that man ever again.

While travelling, you meat tens of people every day, but there are some “special” you stay connected with. He was one of those few and we stayed in touch. And yeah, he has said to call him when in the Netherlands, but I knew being a driver means he is almost not at home. And what are the chances in the whole country to end up close to where he is (had never even ask about it)? Yeah, surely won’t see him again… 🤷‍♀️

Yep! Who said never say never? I love saying that I let the way to lead me on my journey. And I really did – started with no plan and certain destination. And when you release the control, miracles start happening!

There are lots of “accidents” which lead to the meeting Alex – remember, just half an hour time we were at the same place. A place I have never heard of until the day before and had not planed to go until an hour before I actually did. 😁

Don’t want to bore you with all the prehistory, so let’s go ahead…

After our brief meeting, I have continued my trip up north. Had some unexpected aventures. Some hard times. And some “accidental miracles” helping in those hard times.

The real story started when entered Austria. My Couchsurfer host with whom I supposed to stay at least for 3 days, has thrown me out the first day with no explanation whatsoever. She didn’t even give me time to charge my phone or search the internet for a place to stay.

So I ended up on the street in a cloudy weather, expecting the rain to start any moment, with not even a clue what I am going to do. Definitely couldn’t afford a hotel – that would drain my emergency fond in just two days.

Here we go for my firs miracle for the day - Yeen.

I was about to head towards the next town, where I had another host in a couple of days. No plan at all, had to just survive for 2 nights until then…

On the street a delivery boy passed by and I, by a pure impulse, stopped him and asked about a hostel or any cheap place to stay. The boy did not speak English. He said just German and Spanish. Great time to test my Spanish level, right! 😁

He kindly gave me his phone number and put his address in my GPS navigation (he lived in the next big city I was heading to), said he will be home around 6 and went to do his job. I was watching him disappear in disbelief. 😲 What has just happened?! Did that boy give me a shelter for the night?! Am I going to see him ever again?!

Long story short – I did see him! He did not give me a shelter – he gave me a home!!! I spent a whole week with him and I have a friend for life!! We went to a latino fiesta, walks in the woods and spent hours and hours of chatting and sharing.

Thank you for throwing me out, Betina!!! So amazing things happened because of you!

There, while staying with Yeen, I realised I have quite busted my body – it was overworked and absolutely exhausted. I was limping around and couldn’t even think about getting on the road with the backpack. My Colombian angel said I can stay as long as I want (months…) and I know he really meant it!

I would gladly do that, but I had to hurry up north before the weather becomes too bad. I had to go somewhere, find a shelter and a job… And I was not able to even move my leg without a painful grimace…

There was a moment of tears, despair and self pity – I was so damn scared!!! At exactly that moment Alex did text me to ask how am I and how the travel goes. I was so down, so I did not care if I look stupid or whatever, I just needed a shoulder to cry on. So told him I am with absolutely no way ahead.

He simply said – I am leaving Bosnia today and can pass by and take you with me to the Netherlands.

I was crying and laughing at the same time! Could not believe this was happening again – saved by a miracle! Saved by a stranger! I clearly did have a guardian angel somewhere out there!!

The same evening Alex came and picked me up from Yeen’s place. I was going to mis my new friend, though. We wept a bit, hugged tight and promised to see each other again!

On the next day I was already in the Netherlands.

Alex, a person I knew for an hour… He drove me all the way to Bergen op Zoom, took me at his home and helped me find a good job.

As it was unexpected to reach the Netherlands so soon, I had no idea where I am going to go, so I did ask him if I can stay for a few days, while I found a place and some job. He said “Yes, of course. You can stay till Sunday, because I have a certain clause on my rental contract.“

Damn, it was Thursday! What’s possible to find in just 2 days?!  Well, it is what it is. I decided to cross that bridge when it comes to it… 

On the way I have mentioned I have a diploma for masseuse, but zero experience. So I have it in mind, but I don’t really feel confident to look for such kind of job. Maybe something in a factory or cleaning – all the usual jobs emigrants do.

Yeah… Right on the arrival Alex brought me to the massage salon he was regularly going to and spoke with the owner on behalf of me. The owner was a Thai lady – absolutely warm, polite and welcoming person. We were extremely lucky to catch her there, as she was always in the move and it turned out she was actually hiring and agreed to test me the next day.

Alex has guaranteed that I am a serious person and not going to disappear after a week. How did he know that, knowing me for just a day, is still a mystery for me… Yet without him having my back, I had no chance to even being asked for a test.

On our way back, unexpectedly (Another accident, I hear you say?!) we met his landlord. He talked to him, explained who am I and that I might need to stay a bit longer, so we will discus the additional rent, if I do. Surprisingly (Or not actually, as Alex “accidentally” broth the money subject...) the owner said: “Yes, sure, no problem”.

So, the first day I have already kinda promise of having a job (One that I haven't even dream of!) and a place to stay not only till Sunday! 

Yes, I was literally living in the Wonderland!!! Couldn't stop smiling!

The next day Alex gave me his key and left for work (for a week). Can you imagine leaving a complete stranger alone at your home, giving him the only key you have and getting away for a week?!? I am not sure if I can do this myself. But he DID IT for me!!!

I was living with Alex for exactly six months (when it meant to be just for three days, LOL) and we did share the rent. They raised it because of me, of course. Although they “did not want a Bulgarian at their basement“, yet they did not mind having that Bulgarian’s money… 😈

Yeah, the landlords turned out to be a nice people and we got along pretty well. After I moved out, I did actually brought them a flowers to say thank you.

Their first response was to throw the Bulgarian out (Something Alex prevented staying firmly behind me!) and to race the rent enormously, then Alex himself would throw me out… After his denial to kick me out, they invited me to meet in person and get to know me better.

Then the things got changed – the racing of the rent became normal and I have been allowed to stay, although not to register there.

Yeah, I understand them. Still remember how every land owner in Spain I worked for last year, was asking – “You are not Bulgarian, are you? Because you are so different…” Yep, I know what people abroad thinks about us. And unfortunately I know why… Let’s hope I have managed to change the opinion of at least those ones!

Yet, if Alex hadn’t stood firmly on my defence, I wouldn’t be given a chance to do so….

That man had my back from the first moment, and never gave up on me! We have had arguments, of course. It’s not possible to live with someone without this, unless that someone is a flower. We are far from that state! 😆😜

Both of us are strong independed persons, who suddenly had to literally share their lives. So, yeah, we had harsh moments too, but we always knew we can relay on one another. Even his kids were helping to understand the Dutch culture.

Let me remind you, that we were just a friends and yet, we were more than a couple most of the time! That man took me to a doctor because of my limping and exhausted body. He took care of me when I could barely move my hands because of the heavy work in the beginning. Made sure I have a good quality food and medicine to recover and get stronger for the new job.

He was my partner in every possible way!!! And he did all this out from kindness and love (don’t mistake the words here!) Not enough words to say THANK YOU Alex!!!

Now, when I write this story, my tears are steaming down my face. It happens allays when I think of him and what he has done. He did really make me happy!

After 6 months I finally managed to find a room and moved out (damn difficult and expensive here!). Yet, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t him (or Yeen)! As a friend of mine said – “You are a survivor“. I would have found my way, would be somewhere, working something, but one thing I am sure of – I won’t be as happy as I am! As happy as this man made me!

I will always remember you and keep sending you my love Alex!!!

We have often talk about all that happened. His opinion was that he has been sent my way just to help me proceed. I could not disagree, yet I hope I brought something valuable to his life as well!

Once again - nothing is accidental and you get what you need as long as you allow it unfold!

The world needs more people like those two! It requires balls to do what they did! Some say they are strange persons (we all are in a way). Some say they are crazy (yeah, I am too).

I say, thank you for being you!!!