What’s it like to be back? That’s almost always the first question I get after cheerful greetings. Whether it’s friends or family I haven’t seen in the 22 years I’ve lived in the USA, it always starts with a big smile, a warm hug, followed by that question.
Over two decades—that’s a long time. Life goes on, and Amsterdam certainly has. Leidseplein in the city center, Nieuwmarkt where I used to live, the University of Amsterdam where I earned my Master’s in IT… I still recognize it all, but things have changed quite a bit. I’m soaking it all in while trying my best not to get lost.
King’s Day in Amsterdam—After So Many Years!
Amsterdam is still cute and looks much prettier than when I left, but honestly, it feels a little different. Maybe because, after all of these years apart, we’ve grown a little distant.
Reconnecting
Still, it doesn’t take anything away from how wonderful it feels to reconnect with friends. An old buddy from Suriname not only remembered how I tutored him in programming, but also that I was the first woman to ever beat him in a sport. He said, “I thought, ‘I’m athletic, I can hold my own in tennis—so I think I can take her.’”
What he didn’t know is that I was squash-obsessed. Super competitive, I played competitively and spent my free time on the courts at Squash City. At one point, I was even ranked in the top 50 in the Netherlands. So yes, I probably gave him a full tour of the court—but truthfully, I’d forgotten all about it. 😅 You get how lovely it is to relive those memories?
Brooklyn, my home away from home.
Bed-Stuy: My home away from home
Reuniting with friends and family makes everything worthwhile. However, the reason I don’t really miss Bed-Stuy—my home away from home—is because I thoroughly thought it through, made a conscious decision but most of all, I had a phenomenal sendoff.
Don’t get me wrong—I still love New York. It’s a gigantic city where you can get lost and lonely easily. The tough streets and rough vibes can distract and swallow you in a heartbeat. That’s all true but in the same breath, the Big Apple is super vibrant, incredibly inspiring and above all endlessly innovative. All the reasons I never thought I’d leave Brooklyn—a place that taught me so much, where I felt deeply at home, and even launched my documentary. That is until Africa started calling.
The convenience, the sunshine, but especially the friendships—were all priceless. Just watch the next video.
Inspired by Senegalese Sabar dance classes I took back then, I had actually planned to travel to Africa before I ever even moved to America. It just never happened.
Now, I’m not sure whether it was Afrobeats conquering the world, or African fashion touching my soul—but the continent’s call grew louder and louder. I realized New York is cosmopolitan, sure, but the world extends far beyond the five boroughs.
Whenever I’m in doubt, I ask myself the million-dollar question: If money were no issue, where would you be, or what would you be doing right now? The answer that instantly came to mind was: I’d be in Africa—right now, at this moment. That’s when I knew I had my answer.
Letting Go Hurts—There’s No Way Around It
Still, tears were rolling down my face the night I left my two-bedroom apartment of 14 years behind. It was such a perfect place—beautiful, with nearly everything I needed just around the corner. Everything I’d built, so much history, was suddenly behind me. I felt lost.
There was sadness. It was painful. 💔Letting go hurts. I didn’t even try to stop the pain. I knew I had to let New York go to make room for what was calling—Mother Africa.
Goodness, I thought, do you even know what you’re getting yourself into?
No, I heard my mind whispering back, as I walked through the dark streets of Bed-Stuy to my new, temporary address. My mind was blank, my face must’ve looked grim.
Silently, I kept walking—blank thoughts, more tears, and the full weight of grief. Then after quite a few more steps slowly but surely there came the feeling of relief.
What I was leaving behind was just so beautiful. There were highs and lows, but what an incredible two decades. No one can take those years away from me. Gratitude washed over me.
What a blessing, what a privilege it was to have discovered, survived, and grown in New York —for this little girl from Wageningen, a teeny tiny village in Suriname with no more than 9,000 residents.
Now, I was looking forward to what was coming. I had no idea. I couldn’t even picture it yet, but it felt right. I knew it was the right decision. I didn’t leave because something ended—I left because something new was beginning.
Friends wouldn't allow me to leave NY without a party—Besties for Life ❤️
Drs. Mireille Liong is an e-commerce specialist, author, and photographer advocating for equal hair rights. Her new book, 50 STYLES for Your Natural Crown, is available for pre-order now.
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