Expat life has many advantages and just as many disadvantages. For me, the biggest drawback by far is having to say goodbye to friends when they move off to beckoning shores. Some of these friends I will see again, some I probably won’t. Not because of a lack of will, but because of logistics, and that makes me very sad.
Yes, I know that Facebook, blogs, email etc makes it easy to stay in contact. I also know that new people will arrive in my life, some will stick and others won’t, but it is not the same and right now I just feel like sulking because another friend left yesterday. OK?
I have been blessed to make the kind of friend who offered to clean a Chinese toilet for me (I’ve got a thing about germs) so I can go do my business; gave advice when I didn’t know how to handle the kids; another held me back when I wanted to throttle my husband and all of them gave hugs and provided shoulders when life squeezed too hard.
We have celebrated birthdays and anniversaries, new babies and new grandchildren, mourned divorces and break-ups, laughed and cried, shouted and ranted and vowed revenge on anyone that hurt one of us; sometimes quietly, sometimes loudly. We have caused raised eyebrows at our favourite hangout and upset the neighbours more than once, and I wouldn’t change one moment of it.
These fabulous women range in age from 20-something to 60-something and are now spread out from Australia to America and everywhere in between. Each one of them has contributed to my life in ways that they will probably never realise.
So … I would like to raise my glass to Friendship and wish that every woman has at least one friend who will hold her hair back when she loses that last mojito.
Cheers.
Africa to Asia 
#1 by totsymae1011 on June 6, 2011 - 8:46 am
Hi Celia,
Thanks for stopping by to visit my blog. Glad you ‘liked’ the post. I’m new to this and it’s been fun,
I very well understand the emotional transitions of people going and coming, and vice versa from traveling. It’s tough and kind of leaves a void. Though I admire that you’re traveling in that way. Something I’d been thinking of lately but we’ll see.
Cheers to you and friends.
#2 by Celia on June 6, 2011 - 8:53 am
You’re welcome 🙂 I love traveling and meeting so many wonderful people, but I’ve never been good with goodbyes. Come say hi if you’re ever in Beijing!
#3 by totsymae1011 on June 29, 2011 - 7:29 am
Of course. It looks as if the expat concept will happen, as I start classes next month to get me prepared. Not sure where I’ll end up but I’m looking forward to something new.
#4 by Celia on June 30, 2011 - 10:29 am
Best of luck, I am not sorry we chose this route. It’s been very good to us.
#5 by wosushi on June 7, 2011 - 1:56 am
My two dearest friends live 3000 miles away.
I have a couple of friends that I met through conferences that I love to death that are in AU. Now that I am no longer in the business I was, I never see them (save through FB, twitter, etc)
I understand the feeling of wanting those people close. I’m the one who did the “going” in these instances, but I share the sentiment.
Best wishes to you and your friends!
#6 by Celia on June 7, 2011 - 8:55 am
Hi Amber,
Thanks, I appreciate it. Let’s hope we get to meet up with our far-away friends soon. 🙂