A Mumbaikar in Bergen

- So, how are you settling in? - What do you think about the city? - Have you adjusted to the weather? - Do you like the food? - What do you miss from home? - How is it really? 

No, no. It is not me (the homecoming expat) being bombarded with questions. This time I am the one doing the bombarding. Great fun, I tell you! Because here we are talking about a person who has done exactly the opposite.. Meaning: We took the big step and moved from Bergen to Mumbai, right? Well, this guy moved from Mumbai to Bergen. Can you blame me for being curious? Is he ok? How does he find it? I am bubbling over. He is not just anybody, you see.

Let us rewind. Last year when we moved to India, some new friends appeared - and kind of just stayed on, by our side. One of them was Mrudul. The Greek's colleague who became a friend. We have talked, laughed, shared meals and festivals. He came to our home, and he opened his home to us. And when he married his Kirti we shared their joy. He and his family, including his lovely mother, has become dear family friends.

A month ago, he left India to work abroad for a period - in my home town Bergen! So, here we are - catching up with our Mumbaikar friend! We are all dressed a bit differently than back in Mumbai: we are talking heavy jackets, caps, gloves and scarves. (Be gone, O Golden sandals:-( ) But other than that - we do what we always do! Only this time we are the curious ones! Yes, he likes it here. Yes, it is cold. Yes, the food is .. interesting and the prices are a bit .. crazy.  But he is positive and enthusiastic. He is telling and we are listening - expat tales the other way around! How fun to see my home town through his eyes!

A Mumbaikar trying out Bergen X-mas food:-)

Two happy friends united: The Greek, the Mumbaikar and 2 coffees - in Bergen:-) 

For me - coming home for Christmas, like we did this year, means most of all to spend time with my family. To have fun and share good moments. In addition,  it is catching - up time with old friends. Living in India, so far away from them all, can be challenging, and I cherish the time we spend together now. And then - making new friends - like Mrudul and Kirti - has been so wonderful - the sunshine of our Mumbai expat life:-)  

So, yup, we will miss our family and friends again when we leave, and that includes our Bergen-expat-Mumbaikar-friend. I hope my hometown will continue to treat him well, and that he will have memorable expat moments! Like we have in Mumbai! Then we can exchange expat tales - next time we meet:-)

Today let us celebrate friendship, dear reader! Old and new! Best to you!

Here is to my friends!

• A friend is someone who sees through you, and still enjoys the view. (Wilma Askinas)
   
• Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget. (unknown)
   
• The best mirror is an old friend. (George Herbert)
  
• A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. ( Walter Winchell)
  
• Friends are the sunshine of life. (John Hay)