So, I have to ask: what makes a good Christmas when you’re living overseas, living away from the place that you used to call home, the place where your family presumably remain?
Well, as far as I’m concerned, it’s simple – it’s the friends you’ve made in your new home.
In Fuzeta, I’ve found good friends, good people who care, good people who help out when needed.
I’ve lived overseas before, having spent a few years in Australia in the late 80s, 90s. The people I met then, over thirty years ago, are still some of my best friends today. We looked after each other during our time together, and I’m pretty sure we’d look after each other now if the need arose. We had some great Christmases back then too, mainly spent on Bondi beach – yes, I know, maybe not such a happy place today – with Eskies full of cold beer and a camaraderie that you wouldn’t believe.
And having moved here to Fuzeta, it seems to me that the saying ‘time changes things’ doesn’t really ring true. Here I’ve found that life isn’t that different to life back in Australia all those years ago. You make friends, you stick together, you enjoy each others’ company.
Life really is that simple.
So this Christmas? This Christmas, us waifs and strays were invited to Adele and Bart’s where we found before us a long table, beautifully presented with a Yuletide red table-cloth, the best crockery and cutlery, fantail serviettes and the obligatory Christmas crackers. You have to have crackers at Christmas, don’t you?
The fridge was full to the brim with beer and wine. The food was mouthwatering and plentiful (especially Nigel’s gammon cooked in coke!), and festive cheer was to be found in abundance.
Music was played, songs sung, conversation had. It was simply a lovely way to spend Christmas, and much appreciated. The only downside was that I had no room, or rather appetite, for the jelly that had been made especially for me. As you know, I bloody love jelly, but by the time dessert arrived, my stomach was tight as a drum. Yes, I was fully sated, with no more room for anything. Bollocks…
Then today, Boxing Day, the hardcore had what the Australians would call the ‘Recovery’. A few drinks down at ‘Shack One’ where we reminisced about the day before, kept clear of Nigel’s killer dog, and discussed the social divide. It was nothing manic, just a few recuperative drinks. Bloody lovely.
All in all, it’s been a great Christmas, spent with good friends – a perfect couple of days.
It’s Tuesday. It’s the night before my first Portuguese language test. Yes, as I said before, I’m doing the government-run language course, trying to…
I think I’ve mentioned it already: it’s been wet recently – VERY wet. Much of the country is flooded, especially up north. We’ve had thirteen storms…
Well, knock me down with a feather! This morning, I woke up to blue skies and sun. Well, that makes a nice change, doesn’t it? We’ve had weeks, if not months…
