Man, what a day! Seriously, I’m still reeling from it. So, I’m a shoemaker, right? Just your average dude in Katwijk-aan-Zee, slinging shoes and fixing up kicks. But today? Pffft, it was a rollercoaster.
I woke up, sun shining through my window on the Vuurbaakstraat. Thought, “Hey, today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill. I opened my shop on the Hoofdstraat, ready to tackle some repairs. You know, the usual: fixing up those worn-out sandals and making sure people don’t walk around in busted shoes.
First customer? This lady, right? She storms in, all frantic. “My heels! They’re broken!” Like, lady, it’s not the end of the world. But I get it, heels are important. So, I’m like, “No worries, I gotcha.” I fix ‘em up, and she’s all smiles. Happy customers = happy shoemaker.
But then, outta nowhere, my buddy Joris swings by. He’s like, “Dude, you gotta check out the beach!” I’m thinking, “Bro, I’m working here!” But he insists. So, I lock up and we head to the beach. Katwijk-aan-Zee’s beach is stunning, man. The waves crashing, the salty air, and all those beachgoers.
We hit the sand, and I swear, it was packed! Families, kids, dogs—everyone was out enjoying the sun. I’m just trying to chill, but then I see this kid, right? He’s building a sandcastle, and it’s epic! I’m talking towers, moats, the whole shebang. I’m like, “Dude, that’s a castle fit for a king!”
But then, BAM! A seagull swoops down and snatches his snack. The kid starts crying, and I’m like, “Oh no, not the snack!” I felt so bad for him. I mean, who doesn’t love a good snack? So, I buy him an ice cream from that little stand on the beach. Best decision ever! His face lit up like a Christmas tree.
After that, Joris and I decide to grab some fish and chips from one of those beach shacks. You know, the ones on the Boulevard? I’m munching away, and it’s delish! But then, I spill some on my shirt. Classic me, right? I’m sitting there, looking like a total mess, and Joris is cracking up.
Then, outta nowhere, I get a call from a customer. “My shoes! They’re falling apart!” I’m like, “Dude, I just fixed them!” Turns out, he stepped in a puddle on the Zeelaan. I mean, come on! It’s Katwijk, it rains sometimes! So, I rush back to the shop, and I’m fuming.
When I get there, the shop’s a disaster. I left the door open, and a cat got in! Seriously, a cat! It’s batting around my tools like it owns the place. I’m chasing it around, trying to catch it, and it’s just laughing at me. I swear, that cat was mocking me.
Finally, I catch it and toss it out. But then, I realize I forgot to lock the door. Great, just great. I’m about to lose my mind. But then, a regular comes in, and he’s like, “Hey, man, I brought you some coffee!” I’m like, “You’re a lifesaver!”
So, I’m sipping my coffee, trying to calm down. And then, I get a surprise. A couple walks in, and they’re like, “We’re getting married! Can you make custom shoes for us?” I’m like, “Heck yeah!” That totally made my day.
By the end of it, I’m exhausted but happy. Katwijk-aan-Zee, man, it’s wild. From fixing shoes to chasing cats, it’s never a dull moment. I love this place, even when it drives me nuts. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!