X: Farewell joy/Farvelglede
I realised tonight that Melbourne is the place in this world where I have more people close to me at one location than anywhere else. The number is higher than in Las Vegas, more than Oslo and a more numerous than home. The explanation is much given in the fact that most of my friends my age from Brøstadbotn (home) are studying or working – which is taking place other sites but in the past. However, the number of people close to me from Melbourne is high. Higher than what I expected before I came.About 60 MB of pictures and 60 minutes of video can substantiate the best farewell party imaginable. At prompt I didn’t desire a take-off get-together because such occasions are generally not too cheerful and I don’t like fellowship where I’m in focus. But this night was one I will never want to be without. I’m very sad about leaving Australia. At the same time I’m overwhelmed about all the individual friends of mine who decided to show up and all they did for me. Hence I wasn’t able to be sad of the speeches, care and attendance. I was just happy for the love and care that I was shown.
Close to everyone I invited came. People really seemed to have a good time, and it amused and comforted me. The house of James, Chris and Andrew was filled by more than 40 mates from church, Focus (international Christian student group), bible study group, soccer team, volleyball team, Chisholm college (where I live) and a few others I know from outside. “Everyone” was there.
Other than arranging food, a quiz and a little speech, I didn’t really expect anything to happen. I was wrong. In the beginning, a few “evil ones” hung up more than a dozen crazy/no-good pictures of me. That I’ve been able to turn out that freaky so many times I guess is my own bad. Darshini and Ahdhu later came and “arrested” me after allegedly finding “drugs” (flavor in a bag) on me. Hand-cuffed to a chair, I sat through a “court case” where “family” and friends testified for my innocence. I was found not guilty after enough witnesses had given their statements. It was beautiful.
A digital video camera was installed in James’ room where the guests could (/had to) leave a greeting for me to look at when I get back. I’m very excited about this.
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Jeg innså i kveld at Melbourne er det stedet i verden med flest nære mennesker på et område. Langt flere enn Las Vegas, en del flere enn Oslo og noen flere enn hjemme. Dette skyldes i stor grad at frender på min alder fra Brøstadbotn er i studier eller jobb som ikke kan utføres der vi en gang var. Samtidig er det viktig å påpeke at antallet godvenner fra Australia ikke er det minste.
Rundt 60 MB bilder og 60 minutter med video kan dokumentere den best tenkelige avskjedsfesten jeg kunne hatt. I utgangspunktet ville jeg ikke ha en farvelsamling da andledningen ikke er videre positive og jeg ikke liker fellesskap med fokus på meg selv. Men kvelden i dag ville jeg aldri vært foruten. Jeg er skikkelig lei meg for at min tid i Australia snart er til ende. Men jeg er samtidig mer enn overvelmet av alle de som kom til farvelfesten og alt det de gjorde for meg. Derfor klarte jeg ikke å bli trist av alle talene, oppmøte, godordene og omtanken.
Nærmest alle jeg inviterte møtte opp og folk ga alle inntrykk av å stortrives – noe som er betryggende og godt for den som arrangerer. Huset til James, Chris og Andrew ble fylt av førti (+) kjenninger fra kirka, Focus, bibelgruppa, fotballaget, volleyballaget, Chisholm med mer. ”Alle” var der.
Vertskpaet var fantastisk. Darshini og Ahdhu ”arresterte” meg etter å ha bliitt påplantet ”dop” (mel i en pose). I håndjern måtte jeg følge ”rettsaken” hvor familier og venner vitnet for min skyld og uskyld. Jeg ble friekjent etter at nok vitner hadde roset meg for min uskyld.
På James sitt rom var det satt opp et digitalt videokamera der gjestene ga en muntlig hilsen. Denne skal jeg titte på når jeg kommer hjem. At James tok over 11 minutter av dette (ved et uhell) er nå glemt.
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