I'm disappointed. I really am. I feel slighted, I feel under-appreciated, and most importantly, un-important.
I made lots of friends abroad. Friends from Italy, friends from Japan, friends from Taiwan, friends from South Africa, Brazil, Germany, Korea (I think that sums it up). I only kept in contact with two of them. I love the guy - genuine and always caring, and carries with himself the warm Brazilian hospitality we have all come to expect. The other friend (I'm actually slightly confused about her ethnicity) from Korea/Japan(?) lives an amazing life in-between places: London, USA, Japan, Korea, Italy. I love to hear of her latest exploits.
OK. I take that back. I tried to keep in contact with MANY of them, but only one of them wants to keep contact back.
Am I whining for no reason?
I mean...we were all supposed to stick together. We were all in a foreign place away from our daily comforts and indulgences, indulging in Italian indulgences together. Apertivi, cottoletta, Peroni, calcio, walks around the city - it was simply amazing. We did everything together.
I'm most hurt by two people. Every time I think about it, actually, I sulk. I'm not going to disclose their names because I'm slightly embarrassed.
Y - from Japan
G - from Brazil
Y was the first friend I made. I was scared shitless coming into Milan - I just moved in, attended a language course with a bunch of people who shared no fluent language together, and most of all, I was alone. Y was there taking a 3 week vacation from his job in Japan - luckily for him there were lots of Japanese students to converse with, but he thought of them as being too superficial and, in his words, boring. He chose to meet new people - myself being one of them.
We immediately connected over soccer. He was a juventino and I was a milanista. This rivalry became our friendship - we exchanged stats, amazing on-field moments, and caught a few Champions League games together at the local sports bars. We would catch lunch together down the street at a locals only joint and exchange international ideals - how the government should function, you get the idea. We shot the shit, and we shot it well.
At the end of his 3 weeks, he had fallen in love with a friend of ours - a Japanese newlywed who had come to Milan against her will to stay with a husband who worked 17 hour days. I have never been in that situation, but for him I felt the tragic sentiment of futility.
That was the end of it.
G was from Brazil. He was my co-worker during my internship at a photo studio. Funny funny guy. Loved exercise, loved taking photos (very talented, I might add), and was just 100% genuine all the time. I spent 8 hours a day with him - eating lunch, taking photos, taking down sets, and walking around the Porta Romana district. He met my girlfriend Debbie and they were immediately cordial. We became this trio of great friends.
Thereafter, my parents came to Italy, my tenure at the studio ended, and I said my goodbyes and see you agains.
And...after a few short conversations over the internet, he had erased himself from internet existence. No more facebook/skype/msn.
I don't know why, but I took it very personally. My friend was trying to avoid me.
And...that was the end of it.
Maybe I put more friendship investment abroad, and to them I was temporary company. You know, I understand it, but I hate it.
But I guess looking at it now...2/15 friends isn't so bad.
