Volume I: Chapter II
- If you haven't read my blog about Malta read it here as this one is a follow-up.
In this blog, I'll explain why I left Malta what I did afterward, and why I moved to a completely new country.
In November, together with Dosty his girlfriend, and her best friend, we went to the Czech Republic. Dosty is a Czech who worked as a DJ in Surfside. He was going to play at various events in the Czech Republic and invited me to go with him. It was 2 weeks full of unforgettable experiences.
Afterward, I went to France to help my father at the Christmas markets in December. We sold trdelnÃk, mulled wine, and hot orange juice. The atmosphere at the markets was incredibly great. Even though there were far fewer people than last year. It's quite a shame because the market was beautiful. After Christmas, I was supposed to return to Malta, where I planned to stay until the end of the summer. A colleague wrote to me that things are not ideal in Malta at the moment. There is not enough work, and because of COVID, they are thinking that they might even close the restaurant. I didn't want to risk returning only to be without a job, so I decided to stay a little longer in France. I wanted to focus my thoughts and figure out what I wanted to do. I had a 6-month bartending experience and it was a great job. Although I didn't have any free weekends, it was a sacrifice I was willing to take. I didn't want to stay with my father, because there was nothing except the supermarket which I surely didn't want to return.
My sister moved to Montpellier in the summer and happily agreed to let me stay with her until I find something of my own. Montpellier is a big student city by the sea in the south of France. It is the ninth-largest city in the country. Unfortunately, everything did not go as easily as I had hoped and I was looking for a job for quite a long time. Everywhere they required years of experience or a diploma. I registered at the employment office in the international section and started looking abroad. I knew I wanted to move anyway. There was a job market in March and going there was the best thing I could have done. I came across stands that focused internationally. There were organizations like, Erasmus +, I PEICC, and EURES (Spain and Sweden),... That's what interested me the most. Spain sounded great, but I've been there before. On the other hand, Sweden has been my dream since I was a child. There were 2 Swedes and we talked for almost half an hour. I asked if it is possible to work in Sweden if I don't know Swedish, if it is a sought-after sector at all, and similar questions. Bana, one of the Swedes, gave me her contact information so that I could send her my CV. She would then send it to her partners in Sweden. Not even 2 days after I received an email from Emelie. I caught her interest and she asked me if I was still thinking about working in Sweden. I was so happy. She owns several restaurants with her brothers. After a few emails, I got an interview. She was a little late and I was nervous. Nervous after all the unsuccessful interviews I've had so far. Nervous about having to speak English again after months. I was nervous because this was what I wanted and didn't want to screw it up. I did a few push-ups and gave myself a few wake-up slaps, and that's when Emelie called. The interview lasted approximately 40 minutes. I worried for no reason. She was sweet and it was not like a classic interview. She didn't try to find out what I didn't know or to put me under pressure. On the contrary. She was interested in my life. Where I've been and what I've been doing. It was a bit like talking to a friend I hadn't seen in years. The next day she sent me an email thanking me for taking the time to have an interview. When did the employer write this to you after an interview? To me personally, never. I was confident and knew I gave my all. Welcome to Sweden. The mail I found in the next days from Emelie. I couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't know what to do with joy and immediately called my family to tell them. Mom was a little skeptical, my grandma told me that I wouldn't like it there because it would be too cold. My sister was glad that I wouldn't bother her anymore and my father was very happy. I stayed in France for about another month. I wanted to prepare thoroughly before I left. I didn't want it to be like when I went to Malta, where I went from one day to another.
The south of France with my sister was full of trips (Spain, Andorra, Perpignan, Collioure,...), amazing food, new friends, beautiful sunsets, and Sky (the sweetest dog in the world).
May 22nd is my younger sister Luna's birthday. I decided to go see her in Prague and celebrate her birthday before my flight to Sweden. I didn't have a direct flight from France and I would have to transfer anyway. I'd rather spend time with my family and explore Prague than wait 9 hours at an airport. I was happy to be able to spend time with Luna again after a long time. The hockey championship was in full swing. I used to go to watch hockey in the Riegrovy sady. There was a big screen full of stands with beer and snacks. I was surprised at how much Luna enjoyed going there with me. Although I don't know if she went there because of the hockey or because I kept buying her ice cream and raspberry juice. The time passed so fast and it was already the last night before my departure. I spent it together with my family. We went to eat at a restaurant and then had a few cocktails. While drinking them, I was already looking forward to making them soon. I don't even know how, but that night went by so fast. I went to bed thinking that tomorrow I would be in my dream country of Sweden.
