Sometimes I get pleasantly surprised by this very small world of networking. I just found a site for a group of expats from when I lived in West Africa. As I browsed the members, my mind raced to some of the adventures that we all had during our wild and ruthless youths. I was taken back in time when our only contact with the civilized world was through the BBC and the occasional phone call home after waiting in line for my turn. I would be so overcome by emotion by the time the call was over, I would just take two aspirins and put myself to bed.
Facebook has allowed me to reconnect with my BFFs from that time in my life. As we write each other back and forth, I can almost hear the laughter in the words that fly from our fingers. One fellow and I had a bet over who would write the first book about our xpat adventures. When the phone rang a few years ago, the first question out of my mouth concerned his book. He didn't even remember the bet, and it is a shame. He is an excellent wordsmith, and his take and descriptions of some of the scariest times in my young life would have had me rolling on the floor. His wife was my best friend at the time.
We safaried, hiked, and played the Russians in volleyball together. Alan could speak 5 languages, and we were never lost with him in our midst. He also introduced his wife and me to the French bikini. This was quite scandalous in the early 70s. His comments concerned giving the off shift guys around the pool something to think about. His wife and I used to get together and play scrabble at the pool. I would love to tell you that our eyes were always on the board, but that would be a lie. Steelworkers out of Pittsburgh, some of whom actually washed out of the Steelers line up and ended up under the exhub's supervision. We were all buffed and beautiful back then, and Alan wanted it perfectly clear that he could trust his wife even in a string bikini. I am sure my ex felt the same way, but I never asked him. He was the boss, so nobody dared to pretend to cross lines that would get them fired.
As for me, I would never change my past. I would edit parts of it, but I would never change the life I have been blessed to have. Hopefully, my old friends and I can have a reunion in Vegas or somewhere we can just be us. We laughed so much during our youthful years. I can't help but smile as I think back on times never forgotten. Thanks Alan and Tim for looking me up. You two made my week.
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Life is a long road my friend. Your memories shared are proof that it is a journey well worth taking. I read many great adventures between those lines.
My money is on you for the first book!
October 20, 2009 at 7:25 a.m.