Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a baker in Westervoort is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up at the crack of dawn, right? Like, 4 AM. My alarm’s blaring like a siren. I stumble outta bed, tripping over my cat, Momo. That little furball thinks he owns the place.
Anyway, I drag myself to the bakery on De Laarstraat. It’s still dark outside, and I’m half asleep. I open the door, and BAM! The smell of fresh bread hits me. It’s like a warm hug. I start mixing dough, and I’m vibin’. But then, my mixer decides to throw a tantrum. Seriously, it starts making this weird noise. I’m like, “C’mon, not today!”
So, I’m wrestling with this thing, and my phone buzzes. It’s my buddy, Joris. He’s like, “Dude, you gotta check out the market on Kerkstraat today!” I’m like, “Yeah, yeah, after I bake 500 croissants.” But I’m curious, ya know?
Finally, I get the dough sorted. I’m feeling good. I pop the croissants in the oven, and while they’re baking, I decide to take a quick peek at the market. I mean, who can resist fresh produce and local goodies, right?
I dash over to Kerkstraat, and wow, it’s packed! People everywhere, chatting, laughing, and munching on snacks. I spot this old lady selling the biggest strawberries I’ve ever seen. I’m talkin’ like, “Are those even real?” I buy a bunch, and she winks at me. I’m like, “What’s your secret, lady?”
Then, outta nowhere, I hear this commotion. A kid’s crying, and I turn to see a dog running wild. It’s chasing a pigeon like it’s the last meal on Earth. I’m cracking up, but then I see the kid’s face. Poor thing! I rush over, scoop up the kid, and hand him a strawberry. Instant smile! I’m a hero for like, two seconds.
But then, I remember my croissants! I sprint back to the bakery, and guess what? The oven’s beeping like crazy. I open it, and smoke billows out. I’m like, “No, no, no!” I yank the tray out, and they’re burnt to a crisp. I’m talking charcoal status. I could’ve used them as doorstops.
I’m fuming. I mean, who burns croissants? Me, apparently. I take a deep breath, try to chill. I whip up another batch, and while they’re baking, I think about how I need to get my act together. I can’t let a few burnt pastries ruin my day.
So, I decide to take a break. I grab a coffee from the café on Hoofdstraat. The barista, Lisa, knows my order by heart. I’m like, “Just gimme the usual, please.” She laughs and says, “You mean the ‘I’m-a-baker-and-I-need-caffeine’ special?”
I sip my coffee, and life feels good again. I sit outside, watching the world go by. Westervoort is beautiful, man. The trees on De Laarstraat are turning colors, and the air smells like autumn. I see my neighbor, Mr. van Dijk, walking his dog. He waves, and I wave back. It’s the little things, ya know?
After my break, I head back to the bakery. I’m ready to tackle the day. I bake like a madman, and the smell of fresh bread fills the air. Customers start pouring in, and I’m serving them with a smile. “Freshly baked, just for you!”
Then, this lady walks in. She’s a regular, always ordering the same thing. But today, she looks different. I ask her what’s up, and she tells me she just got a promotion. I’m like, “That’s awesome! Let’s celebrate with a free pastry!” She’s over the moon.
By the end of the day, I’m exhausted but happy. I close up the shop, and as I walk home, I think about how crazy today was. From burnt croissants to market adventures, it was a wild ride.
Westervoort, you’ve got my heart. I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. Even with the chaos, it’s home. And tomorrow? Tomorrow’s another day to bake, laugh, and maybe even burn a few more croissants. Who knows?