The world trade center in Arnhem
I will be honest. I could not find the entrance. I had to ask a taxi driver to show me the way. I guess the guitar on my back was saying something like this girl has a gig there. Well, not true, but who cares. My accent showed I am a foreigner and nothing embarrassing happen. The guy was friendly and directed me in.
Understand, It took me a while to acclimatize to the outside world. Can you see the difference in the pictures bellow?
This is where I came from:
The tall building is the World Trade Center.
As I was coming closer, beautiful sounds reached my years. Sounded like jazz standards. Cool! Jazz is, what I am into just now.
But….hahaha !!! No way I can do something with my guitar here.
I took quick look around and went out to roll me a cigarette. Strait away a guy started to talk to me. His t-shirt: Institute Cryptoanarchy, Paralelni Polis. I hear about that. It is in Prague, Czech Republic. The guy was Slovakian, but living in Czech. We were chatting a bit, when other guy came. Tim. He said, he is going to have a talk in Paralelni Polis the upcoming Tuesday. I wrote that in my memory.
Then I took another look around and a man stopped me. What is my name and what do I do?
Well, I am music innovator. And you? Are you one of the speakers? Yes? Whats your name?
Rob.
Rob? Rob Mitchell?
It was one of the names that stayed in my memory. Probably because of his unique tune, consisting only of the key chords.
“Well, Rob, then I have a present for you!”
He seemed surprised.
I bowed down to reach into my backpack. Took a bunch of envelops out and search the one that says Rob Mitchell. I found it. I passed it. Another funny look. What did you said is your name? Misha Pelt? What is this? O, thank you very much.
Friendly guy.
I started to feel better. Less intimidated. It will be ok. I will distribute my tunes, and enjoy the party.
Dinner started and it was buffet. You can take what you want. Most of the time I do not eat meat. The tables were full, all nicely arranged. Mostly meat though. I found some potatoes, salad, pasta, fill up my plate and look around.
99 % of people here were males. A little bit intimidating. The sounds of Jazz band so inviting. I decided to sit bit a side, close by the trio. I could see them and hear them very well. They were so enjoying the playing, it filled my heart with joy. I do love to see people loving what they do.
Another man came and joined me at the table. His plate did not had meat either and we started to talk. About food at first, then about the band. He was a music lover too. He told me, that the drummer is the best one in Holland, and that he studied with him in past. He used to play the piano. So our conversation moved into music. And then my story, blabla, I am making tunes from date or name. How I came here, how I have tunes for the speakers. He found it very interesting, so I offered I can make him tune as well.
Oh my, it was never so hard for me to make it. Maybe because I was bit ill, my brain was tired from counting and working out the tunes almost whole day, the place was so busy and loud,….it took me ages to concentrate and create it. But I managed after all. Then we went out, with my guitar, and I played his tune for him. He took my card and said he will tip me later.
Cool. It is working!
So far, I talked to 4 man, and none of them was arrogant or act superior to me.
Time for another cigarette. Busy this this time. Bunch of people, man of-course, introducing each other. Then was my turn: well, I am music innovator. (haha, so glad I found this expression)
I have tunes derived from name for the speakers, no I am not attending the conference, yes I have bit of bitcoin. One or two of them got envelop. 🙂
People would not expect music innovator to attend such a event, I guess.
Most of them said its cool.
Then the amazing think happen. White hair man started to ask, what do I do, how I got into bitcoin etc. So I revealed, I made a favor to friend, and he gave me 0,1 bitcoin. I am music innovator and I am creating tunes derived from date or name. He took his phone out and said: “I can do better.”
He connected me to his hot spot and tipped me. He sent me 0,2 bitcoin.
Can you imagine how did I felt? There was a bit pressure hanging in the air, my girls only let me go, because I promised them, I will bring some money back!
Hey, I am done!!! I earn some, now I can really enjoy the party. Can you believe it? I have private jazz concert. I understand, peoples heads were full of the upcoming fork and staff. Not many listened to the great music.
Me, at that time, had no clue what is going on.
And I did not attend concert for ages!!!
During the evening I was talking with this guy several times. He seemed very aware. Had a few kids, was doing a different parenting. Was generous. Not only to me, to others as well. We had a good match. He even offered me a job. His daughter plays cello, and if I would make a composition for her, he would pay me. How cool is that? I suppose to take a pic of him, with the name and contact him later.
Unfortunately, I can not read the name. The flash from camera made it impossible. If YOU are reading this post, please, get in touch with me! I am ready to compose. And I accept bitcoin cash. 🙂
I went back in, to enjoy the jazz trio. In my opinion, it was just great. I felt like to dance, but nobody else was dancing. Well, what would you expect in such an environment? I still had some envelops left, I placed them on table, and watched. Some people passed, checked it out, another envelope gone.
Then I spot Amaury Sechet. I remembered that guy from the website. He looked the most “normal”to me. So I went to him. Introduce myself, passed him his tune. He founded cool, and asked, if he can listen to it somewhere. Well, not at that time, but I am thinking to do all the tunes, and place them somewhere. Maybe to this website. He was with another guy, I think, it was John Swingle. I gave him his envelope as well. They talk about smart contracts, and I took the courage to ask, what it is? Again, they tried to explain it to me, and again, no arrogance.
Now, for me, this is important. The atmosphere, the real people I met. I had a limited knowledge at that time, I am much more educated now, and honestly, being there helped me to see and decide, on which side is the true.
Attending that event played major role why I support Bitcoin Cash now.
Why I got deeper into cryptocurrency.
Why I understand more now.
My trip to Holland and Arnhem was not only adventure. Not only I earn some, but It truly blew my mind away, how the people were nice to me. Understand, I am not tech person, at that time, I had not clue about the code. My understanding of bitcoin was (and still is) simple. It can change the world for better. It can take the power from bankers. The bankers are the biggest criminals.
I am not much of a fashion girl. I do not wear make-up. I had some silly imitation of Croccs. I was there how I am, just me, with my idealism, honesty and good spirit.
And I felt welcome.
Could not resist to dance after all. Through my shoes away and enjoyed the sounds, enjoyed the band enjoying me dancing to their music, enjoyed being the only one dancing. Pitty they quit too soon. I would have dance all night long. 🙂
On my last cigarette pause I pass the rest of envelopes to a guy, who said he seen some of speakers. His name was Andrew and he was of-course very nice too. President of Bitcoin Unlimited. He seen Ryan X Charles envelope and said he will pass it to him and others. I gave him the rest. I do not know, if they ever received it. Does not matter either. I still have the tunes, and I will make a records one day.
Week after I came home, I received mail saying that the QR code on my business card is not working and If I could send my address. Few days later another tip arrived. 0,05 btc.
I lived from it in the summer. There is bitcoin-mat in Prague that I learned how to use. I purchased some things online for bitcoin. And I got more into it. Now I do not own any bitcoin core, but I have few Bitcoin Cash.
I feel, I am doing the right thing. I want to be part of the change. The change of system that is not fair, that oppress us, locking us from living, imposing bullshit ideas to us and our children.
I also hope to get wealthy on the way. I always had an open heart and I will do good with my wealth. Why not, it’s just the beginning.
My crypto journey in points till now
- first hear about Bitcoin 4 – 5 years ago, could not comprehend
- change place, make new friend, he was into bitcoin since 2011, slowly I start learning
- wanted my fragment, but could not afford it (living very interesting live out of civilization)
- learn more, find out about bitcoin conference
- receive my first 0.1 BTC
- made a trip to Holland
- get some more BTC as donation
- back home started to play around, buy some things, went to bitcoin coffee
- fork happen
- got some money from my brother (for the kids when they grow up, tried to explain him, that it will not worth much at that time, explained I want to get BTC, and he gave me a bit)
- staffed the Bitcoin ATM with cash and got Bitcoin
- came back to Spain, learn more about Bitcoin Cash
- move all into BCH
- keep learning, understand bit more of the technicalities, politics, etc.
- accepting Bitcoin Cash donations on my website
- got on YOURS and wrote few things, get some tips
- make a video to let people like me, who are not fully in, know, that there is major difference between Bitcoin and bitcoin CASH.
- doing my best, learning, creating, writing with crap English, but hey, not many people speak Czech, and I m more than a decade away, and the voice in my head speaks English now
- reading article about bitcoin aloud and recording it
Am open to new possibilities. The only limitation is my mind, and I am aware of it.
May good things keep happening.