Being an expat has historically always had a cool factor associated with it. We're automatically allowed at the popular kids table in the cafeteria, not to brag or anything. But everyone wants to know your story, where you're from. Then Italians (or the locals of your country) will gush about how great Canada/your home country is and you'll give the obligatory gush back about your new country and then everyone gets drunk together on cheap European wine and you try to keep your brain from exploding while talking in two different languages at a dinner table for six with eight people because expats always have to bring their friend(s) from ____________ (insert random foreign city). We're all about the networking. Why? Because you're always on the lookout for your new BFF of the month or year or whatever. The harsh reality of being an expat is that not only do you have to be a master at meeting people and forming insta-friendships via your common bond of a) language or b) Questura horror stories or the equivalent in other countries that aren't Italy, but you ALSO must be the master of goodbyes. Inevitably, the majority of your expat friends will leave, back to their native country, or onwards and upwards to the next foreign land. I think in the past two months, I've had to say "ciao for now" to a running total of five lovely ladies, like Kyra from Germany (us pictured above outside Capitol Cinema in Bergamo)- please come back everyone! Just kidding, I'm happy for you wherever you are. But that's my short spiel for today. This thought came upon me after a wonderfully international dinner out last night and the roll call was pretty awesome: C and L from California, F from Singapore, J from New York/Carolina (soon Memphis/Finland), me from Canada, and your three token Italians. It may seem sad, but while munching on my stir-fry, I couldn't help but think about how beautiful yet fleeting a moment like that is- a moment when half-way across the world, eight instant friends from seven different cities sat down and ate curry. That is what life is all about.
4 Comments
Michela
9/25/2015 09:28:58 pm
Love this. The funny thing is, like many things in life sometimes you don't realize how great the friendship is until one of you is gone. In which case you get another gift, friends all over the world and bonds that can't be broken simply by distance. It makes you realize how special the relationships were in the first place and opens you up to new opportunities of meeting up with each other in completely new places - or better yet, each other's home countries!
Reply
Jasmine
9/25/2015 10:01:39 pm
Michela!!! Miss you too (and Canada!!). Thanks for leaving a comment and for sending love. That being said...I need to send you back your shirt :O (it's officially still hanging out in my closet!).
Reply
Deane
8/26/2016 10:55:49 am
I think you hit the nail on the head with this one Jamin. As a permanent resident here I often.find myself faced with the dilemma, do I a) make new friends every year? which, to be honest, has always been a forte of mine (whereas saying goodbye has not) or b) hang about with Italian friends where I'll alwas be the foreigner who has different habbits, social ques and opinions on many matters (not to mention the language strain on my brain debating them in italian).
Reply
Jasmine
8/26/2016 11:42:00 am
Hey Deane, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! I've started to ask people their future plans, I know that's a terrible thing to do but I'm like you- I'm fairly good at making friends but after awhile, it's emotionally tiring. You invest so much in people who leave. I know this can never be a bad thing but there's only so many goodbyes a person can take! Yes and then with Italian friends, even though I'm like 95% comfortable in most situations, there's always that lingering 5% where I'm not entirely sure if I'm picking up the right social cues or doing or saying something a little 'off'.
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Search the blog:
(I suggest "Italian Men" or "wine" but that's just me!) Curator:Jasmine is a former pharmacist turned writer and wine drinker from Alberta, Canada living "the sweet life" in Bergamo, Italy.
Feeling overwhelmed? Read the fan-favorites (click and scroll down): {instagram&twitter}
|