I’ve been immersed in writing travel posts for the past few weeks, so it’s been some time since I shared anything personal about my life. Behind the scenes, a lot has been happening, and it’s difficult for me to talk about. Despite the steady stream of travel content, my focus has primarily been on my well-being and ongoing treatment. My doctor frequently encourages me to engage in activities I love, which sometimes brings a wry smile to my face. The reality is that it’s not always possible to do what brings me joy; at times, it feels nearly impossible. I often smile at her advice, knowing that following it isn’t always within my reach.

Nevertheless, I am optimistic that things will improve with time. I’m simply navigating some challenging moments right now. While my travel posts might paint a picture of constant adventure and excitement, the truth is that I’m also on a personal journey towards healing. Sharing my travels brings me a certain comfort, but it’s important to acknowledge that life isn’t always as picturesque as it may seem. I’m confident that, eventually, I’ll find my way through these tough times and appear stronger on the other side.

Market Hall, Rotterdam

While organizing the photos on my phone, I stumbled upon some old pictures of Market Hall in Rotterdam. I had completely forgotten about these photos and the location, probably because it’s been almost a year and a half since I visited Rotterdam unexpectedly and without any plans. I couldn’t bring myself to delete these photos without sharing my experience with you.

As I mentioned, my initial plan was to visit different locations, but a change in the train schedule led me to Rotterdam. At that time, I was new to the Netherlands and didn’t know much about the country, plus I had a lot going on in my life. It was an unplanned detour, but a memorable one nonetheless.

Interestingly, despite my visit, I couldn't find a single photo that adequately captures the impressive architecture of Market Hall. I mean something (special photo) that actually will express the structure of this Market Hall since it is one of the most significant architectural structures in Rotterdam. Unfortunately, my photos don’t do justice to its grandeur.

By the way, this market hall was not far from Cube houses, about 5 5-minute walk. I already wrote about cube houses. To my surprise when I came to know that this Market Hall is basically residential and office building with a market hall underneath, I was trying to figure out where are the offices and residential area. Because the structure of the Market Hall seemed like a large horseshoe or I can say a half circle facing downward. I always thought that this kind of structure could be either a museum, gallery or multipurpose functional space. Never thought people could live in such kind of building.

Upon entering the Market Hall, I was immediately intrigued by the stunning and exquisite artwork that greeted me. It was so mesmerizing that it held my complete attention, and I couldn't see anything else at first. It was something unique I had never seen before.

This huge 11.000 m2 artwork is called Hoorn des Overvloeds (Horn of Plenty) done by Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam. source. In the photos, you will see the details and very colorful vibrant art pieces (flowers, fruits, vegetables) all over the place.

Believe it or not, stepping into this hall instantly reminded me of a place in Kharkiv, Ukraine, called Sumskaya Rynok. I posted a video about it a long time ago but never got around to writing a detailed post. Perhaps one day I will. The market in Kharkiv bears a striking resemblance to the Market Hall in Rotterdam, although with differences in the shape of the structure and the artwork beautifying it. While the Market Hall in the Netherlands was established in 2014, the one in Kharkiv was built around 2017-2018.

As I stood at the entrance of the Market Hall in Rotterdam, I was drawn in by the similarities and the memories they evoked. I took several photos at the entrance, eager to capture the essence of this remarkable place. Then, I ventured further inside. The vibrant atmosphere, bustling with vendors and shoppers, was both familiar and new. Every step I took reminded me of my visit to Sumskaya Rynok, yet the unique features of the Rotterdam Market Hall made this experience distinct.

It's a surreal feeling walking into the memory route yet in real you are exploring and seeing something new that you have never seen before. It was like going back and forth between the past and the present.

As I was strolling around, looking at the shops, and products from different countries but somehow I couldn't concentrate. At the time, I didn't understand why I felt so distracted. I attributed it to being overwhelmed by the new surroundings in a new country. Looking back now, I understand what was really going on. Unfortunately, parts of my memory are fuzzy, and I can't recall the details of what I saw, but that's okay.

What I do remember is seeing a diverse array of shops and eateries. There were vibrant Asian shops, enticing restaurants, and stalls selling Turkish and Moroccan products. A few candy shops added a sweet touch to the experience. The Market Hall was bustling with several restaurants and cafes, each representing different cuisines from around the world (mostly Asian and European).

I didn't buy anything there but after seeing so many options, I ended up having lunch at Indian Restaurant. Well, it was an Indian shop; I ordered food and went to the food court area to eat. The food quality was okay, nothing fancy, it was like a regular lunch. I spent around half an hour only sitting at the food court. After finishing lunch, I left the Market Hall.

After that visit, I have never been to Rotterdam. Maybe it's time I should go to Rotterdam again before I go somewhere else.

This visit was a pleasant journey, bridging past memories with new experiences, and I look forward to someday sharing more about my adventures in Kharkiv, Sumskaya Rynok.

Love

Priyan...

^{I am @priyanarc.... An architect, a dreamer, and a passionate writer who loves to write about life. I try to present my own perspective and experiences. Please leave your feedback and criticism because it's the only way I can know and reach your mind and thoughts easily...}

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