Well, this is the time of year that most expat wives that I know look forward to. When school is out and they can pack up their kids and their bags, kiss the hubby cheerio, put away their anklets, scarves, and modest clothes and pull out shorts, tank tops and bikinis and book it the heck out of here for some much need needed R&R in their "real" home towns and vacation destinations of their choice. The hubby's will usually join for a couple of weeks then head back to India while the wives continue on with the summer of visiting and tending to families, friends, house issues on the home front etc. They will also do some much needed "resourcing" and fill their suitcases with goodies before their return which is usually early to mid August.
For some of the ladies it is more final. It's promises to meet again somewhere down the line. They are headed to their new lives back home, or onto another expat assignment in another country far, far away. It's hard to imagine that you could really connect with others in such a short time but it happens and the parting is bittersweet. Happy for your new friends that they are on to their real homes and extended families, or onto another wonderful adventure. But goodbye is goodbye and partings among friends is sad.
So, to those ladies, the ones that are outta here and not coming back I wish to say thank you for the memories. For being part of my journey in my first months in India. Thank you for your courage and strength to be out here in the first place. Thank you for helping me source celery, cheese and good poultry. Thank you for telling me where to find decent paper products and A&W root beer and Doritos! Thank you for helping me to identify an "India day" and letting me know that you have them too. Thank you for laughing with me instead of at me when crying over the most frustrating things. Thank you for teaching me about dosas, samosas, Bounce and Bamburies. And thank you for drinking with me on those days when only a drink would do
To all you ladies who are leaving and I really don't know when I'll see you again, be safe, be happy, enjoy life and I wish you all the love and happiness you deserve it!
While I love the opportunities I have to meet all of these great people as a result of living in Asia, all too frequently these people are moving on with their lives due to the transient nature of the expat life. So here's to the friends who will be returning in August and to the new friends I will make who will be arriving soon. Let's get together for a drink soon:)
Cheers!
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