He puts the shoemaker in Emmen for sale and fully opts for an existence in the hilly area around Shillong. “That work also became less. In the past, the shoes were of much better quality, that was much more fun to work on. Now it is mainly cheap shoes that fall apart after a few months. With all due respect, I have not become a shoemaker to stick 20 euros shoes together.”
There is little that keeps him in the Netherlands and with a visa for five years he moves to India. “Really everything is different here, nothing can be compared. From the traffic, to the electricity, to the groceries. But at some point I just surrendered and thought of it: Get used to it. Not complaining and just going along. I think that is the best way to do it. The stupidest thing you can do if you go to a new place is sticking to your own habits.”
In the meantime, Jyrwa and he married and he works at the B&B of his wife. “We have three rooms in the rental. I receive the guests, familiarize them and do maintenance work.” He also does a second home. The plans to visit all kinds of places in the area are currently on the shelf. “It simply doesn’t happen. It’s too busy.”
Although he has his hands full on the renovation, and because of his residence permit may not have a job in India, he is in place. “I am happy here. I am happy that I have had the first year. I lived in the Netherlands for 57 years, and you know everything. When I came here I actually knew nothing at all. I just felt very stupid. You still have to ask the simplest things. Now I still have to ask a lot, but I know my way.”
Although his life in India comes from sorrow, the shadow edge has disappeared. “In the beginning the feeling was absolutely double, but now this double feeling has disappeared and I am completely happy with the situation as it is now. It now feels more like it was destined.”
Vording and Jyrwa can be seen on 28 September in the program I am leaving for the love of Avrotros.