My Global world of friends...

         Being in a new country for only a short time, means I'm also a bit short on friends..it takes time to grow a friend, a good friend that is. Some new friends come and go, someone you think will, become close, it just doesn't happen. Sometimes, like recently, it all becomes a bit strange, because all the right signs were there...yet they back off. You can only accept it, although I can't say I understand it. You know what they say, 'nowt as queer as folks' well that's what they say in north of England anyway. I always try to be reliable, stick to my word, do the best I can, I can only assume everyone dies the same. I can see that plans to go out with a new friend sometimes fall through. Other people you meet already have their routines, their own circle. It just takes time for you to find your place and with your own circle of friends. Worsened in Brasil, because as yet, I don't speak the language well enough to communicate to anyone other than people who already speak English. Really, you just have to do your own thing, and wait and see what happens. See who you come in contact with. Always automatically gauging how you feel about people you meet, as they must do you.

          I have friends all over the world. In fact everywhere I have lived for a time produces friends. My most recent long term sojourn was New Zealand, so I have many good and loyal friends there.  My very best friend lives there, whom I love dearly. A spell back in England bought me no new friends, except for a few I had not the good health or time to grow into anything other than aquaintences. It's always quite easy making people to talk to, say hi to isn't it. I nevertheless have old friends scattered around the English countryside. Mostly from when I was working, it's the easiest way to make friends for sure, I even have a couple from schooldays, although, always a bit of a rolling stone...(without the music.tra laa), I gathered little moss...or friends 'en route in those early years. Except for growing a family of course.' 

         I once had quite a lot from Australia too and a few close friends in America, but that was before the days of Facebook and the Internet becoming so universally easy. It was far too easy to lose contact with people back then. Especially as often, I am not the only one moving around. I regret everyone I lost touch with over the many years. Of course,  you do tend to meet more people like yourself, so I have found. Those who are on the move constantly, so, a double whammy of a problem to overcome. Some of those people now live elsewhere in Brasil, some in Greece, even Germany and other parts of Europe. Not that it stops you making a few really good and real friends who endure over the years. My good friend who I went to school with has lived in her current house throughout her children's growing up years, maybe longer. Now that's something I cannot imagine. Who's to say who's right, or if there actually is a right way to live. Horses for courses, I always say.

          I'm not worried about now, although I guess because of the language thing, it's taking longer than normal. I know it will happen, especially once I become more fluent in the language. In fact, I always said the most exciting thing about travel was that you know you will meet people who well might become good friends. There is always an exciting big electrical charge, of a friend to discover. But then I am a bit of a romantic. It's actually quite exciting...which means that patient and relaxed I will be, I know it can change in a flash, you can make an immediate connection with someone, or two and then you're away. 

          In the meantime, I am lucky I have some family here too. English family, as well as some extended Brasilain family. So I'm not altogether isolated..oh no, my situation is fortunate. I actually already know lots of people as the English speakers pounce on each other. Which is always nice. I have also been visited this part of the world for many years so I know a few people from those times too. As I walk around, I get to greet, or sit with quite a few aquaintences, or better yet, family. Happy days I tell myself. In the meantime, I love my house, I love its location and I can walk easily to several nice places to spend some enjoyable time. Or, go to the beach...or, sit to watch the world go by, write, read, chat whatever. Lucky, lucky me, all in the sunshine, amongst bouncing happy music and happy people.

          Viva Brasil...and the rest of the world it's all wonderful. To one particular man I knew well for a few months...get travelling, time you were not in Floranopolis. Your World awaits......