🏀My Life's Journey - My Brother's Nikola "adventure" to Iceland And A Search For A Better Life

I remember talking to my brother about 3-4 months ago about how he wanted to go to Iceland and work there. One of his friends left for Iceland about a year ago and told him it is possible to make a good living there. As the country is well organized and there are plenty of job opportunities there. My brother was waiting for his friend to maybe find him a job there, but unfortunately, at the company where his friend was working, there were no new job openings. So after waiting for some months, my brother decided to make a big change in his life. He just literally packed his bags, gave notice on his current job, bought a ticket, and flew to Iceland in search of a better life for him and his fiance Nera. Does that take some guts right guys?

It is no doubt, a bold move, but the current financial situation in Croatia forced him to do so. As at his current job you can "live" from the salary he had as a security guard at the airport in Split, but if you are trying to build a family it is not enough at all. He was working long hours every day, but for very little compensation. Our economy is getting destroyed by corrupt politicians who seem to can't get enough no matter how much they steal and lie. About 500k people have moved out to different countries in the search for a better life. And, more are leaving every day. Croatia is a beautiful country, with so much potential, but with this leadership, the only path we are heading to is that new families even with two jobs are barely "surviving."

New families are thinking of not having kids because they are not sure if they can afford it. It is a sad situation. People with law degrees are working as waiters. Basically, if you don't have good "connections" the chance of you getting a good paying are slim to none. So my brother after many years of working for little compensation decided to take a "gamble" in search of a better life.

So he flew to Iceland on March 14th, from Split, Croatia to Akureyri, Iceland. With really not knowing how is it going to be there. The only thing he knew for sure is that it will be cold. lol He did not apply to any jobs before he left there, he just packed his bags and went there. The only thing he can take as reference was his friend's word that there are plenty of jobs there and he will not have a hard time finding a good job. I am sure it was scary for him and his fiance but sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith in life. Just pack your bags and going into the "unknown". It takes courage no doubt.

Well, his flights went great. He had no trouble at all. But, the first trouble for him started when his bag did not arrive. It got lost somewhere on his flight connections and he was without his clothes for the first 4 days of his adventure. And, remember guys it is cold and windy in Iceland. When those two elements combine you need warm clothes. So he had to spend more money on buying clothes so he can keep warm while he was searching the town for jobs. He reserved a hostel for 6 days in advance so at least there were no problems there. Right the next day he started walking around the town and just simply getting information and talking to locals about any kind of job opportunities. Pretty much anything just to get him started. On his walks, he shared some photos with me of how Akureyri looks like.

Akureyri is not a big town, with a population of about 18k residents. Iceland is not a big country and Akureyri is its actually 4th largest city. But, it is an industrial city and was one of the reasons my brother decided to travel there in search of a job. The first pictures my brother sent me were of these two old-timer cars. I absolutely loved them. I did not expect to see this type of cars in Iceland at all.

He also sent me some charming photos of how the houses look like Island. And, to tell you the truth guys the sure have a charming look to them. I especially loved the one with light blue paint. I love blue colors and anything which reminds me of the ocean. Who knows maybe one day my brother will own one of these houses. You never know. He is a hard worker and I am sure when he finds a job he will make the best out of it. Which house is your favorite?

In the first 2-3 days, my brother literally walked miles and miles all over the down talking to people about the possible job opportunities. Applied to many jobs online as well, but so far he did not a job offer. We also talked a lot on the phone as he needed a little bit of my help to get his bag back and maybe get compensation from the airline for losing his bag. Because he paid for extra security for his bag and had to spend money on clothes because they lost his bag. But, it is a long process, guys. Meanwhile, he kept exploring the city and sending me some random pictures.

Now I have saved the best pictures for the last. At least, they are the best for me. Iceland is an island located in the North Atlantic Ocean. And, some of these photos my brother sent me were just gorgeous to me. Beautiful crystal clear and silky smooth ocean surface is just an amazing sight for me. If I was there I would not even throw a rock inside so I don't disturb the oceans calmness. I would just sit there and admire it. Well, you can judge it for yourself.

One thing my brother told was that people are incredibly polite and everybody he talked to tried their best to help him. If they could not help him directly they would point him to a place where he can go to get some answers. It has sure made him feel welcome. He has walked many miles in those 4 days, but with beautiful scenery like this, I am sure he enjoyed it as well. Even though he is anxious and nervous about it all, which is normal, these kind people give him hope he will soon find a good job and make a first important step toward a better life for him and his fiance.

For now, he will have to sit on this bench alone. But, hopefully, in the near future, he will find a good job and his fiance Nera will join him and together they can enjoy this silky calm ocean view together. Of course, let's not forget their extended family Suncica as well. What can I say, my Steemian friends, this is a big step for my brother, and I hope all will turn out amazing for him because he deserves it. If you are living in Iceland and maybe can help him out I would sure appreciate it greatly. He is a fun person, with a great positive personality, and I am sure you will like him. Or, just have a beer with him. But just one. lol