This particular Christine was arriving from Canada for a short visit to friends and family after having been away for just under a year. Before she left to study pre-medicine she was the Bubbly Bella's roommate.
Point to note - it is apparently extremely difficult to get a visa for Canada if you are South African. One can only assume university students are tough to get rid of...
We arrived at the airport half an hour early with no clue which flight Christine was arriving on - all we knew was that she should land at 9 o'clock. After a mishap with closed parking and spiral ramps, the Bellas proceeded along lengths of corridor to the large, circular holding ce... waiting area. Rows of chairs, packed with people anxiously and excitedly awaiting their loved ones arrivals (must stop channeling Love Actually).
It took hours. Boredom creeps up about 10 minutes in... We resort to painting our nails and commenting on the passing uniforms (consensus is that Emirates has style). Finally, after a couple of hours and at least two planeloads of non-Christine people, we see her. It takes a moment but she recognises us and we have a moment of running and screaming - very Hollywood.
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| The Bellas and the Christine |
After the initial excitement and catching up, it turns out that Christine has hired a taxi and the Bellas transport services are not required. Tentative plans made - Exit stage left.
This brings us to the second of our international travellers - Gareth. An old friend (if two and a half years is old?) who is leaving South Africa as the Christine arrives.
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| Our Gareth (duckface much!) |
After a lengthy process requiring interviews, papers flying across the world, and many trips to the embassy, he is finally set to leave for Xi'an, China. Why the trip to the Land of the Setting Sun? Well, apart from it's fascinating history and many beautiful sites, it is also a great place to start teaching English.
Until recently it was easy to get a job teaching in China. It is relatively easy to obtain a visa and the process takes on average three days. The longest part of the process is the background check run by the South African government to ensure the legitimacy of the job offer. Recent legislative alterations, however, require a minimum of two years teaching experience - that our Gareth doesn't have.
Fortunately he is much loved around the Earth and so there were favours granted which enabled him his permits.
In order to bid him auf Wiedersehen before his departure, the Bellas joined him at the Cafe Galini at the Brightwater Commons on Thursday night. A comfortable and cozy spot to enjoy a slice of the best lemon meringue pie the Bellas (and Gareth) have had in ages. The couches of this place have cushioned our lovely bottoms for many an hour over time.
Life is funny like that. We can so easily spend an evening together, completely familiar, completely normal, and yet it is the last, utterly new and strangely disconcerting. Of course there are plans to meet in Shanghai at noon one day with the marigolds blossoming under our reunited feet, but nothing can be certain.
"A pot of tea (without a cup) for our dear friend please!"
A pot of tea in tribute to many thousands of kilometres driven for the sake of a hug and an afternoon on the beach, or perhaps some seafood for the man who doesn't like it? All building blocks for a wonderful friendship and countless laughs (and a few sordid rendezvous - no blushing!).
But it is not goodbye. Merely farewell until we meet again in Shanghai at noon, with the willow trees dancing in the wind (you bring the tea).
Much love and light,
The Barefoot Bellas
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