Since I moved to Dundee, I have met lots of new people.
The company I work for has employees from all around the world, and the town itself is kind of the same thing. Students make up a considerable percentage of the population, and it’s funny how you can meet people from all around the world in such a small place.
I accepted this new job and moved here alone, about six months ago. A completely new and strange place to me. I didn’t knew anyone, so the people I end up spending most of my time with, are of course my fellow co-workers.
I work in the games industry, as game programmer, and this industry is particularly fast-paced. People constantly arriving, and leaving. Needless to say, you get to know people, make new friends, and eventually you need to say goodbye. Yesterday was one of those days.
One of the friends with whom I had the most laughs with is returning to his home country, and we had one last dinner with about 15 people as a way to say goodbye.
I decided to enjoy every bit of it. Most people probably don’t notice that about me, but sometimes I just let myself get overwhelmed with senses (And no, I don’t do drugs). It’s just something I do intentionally to enjoy some moments. I relax, let go of everything else and focus on whatever I want. The sense of hearing works great for me. I start by relaxing, to the point that everything seems background noise, and then let myself slowly come back to reality. The end result is that I feel overwhelmed, excited, enjoying every laugh or smile, be it mine or from someone around me.
The dinner was in a nice Indian restaurant, and of course, they have lots of spiced up dishes. We ordered a bottle of really nice Italian red wine. I usually only drink wine in special occasions, like a dinner with family or friends. Again, I enjoyed the smell and the taste.
For the food, I ordered something really spicy for me, that I never tasted before. One of my friends, who is used to spicy food, after tasting my food said… and I quote: “You’re brave!”. I was literally sweating!
After a while, I couldn’t feel a thing. Completely numb. Or should I say, comfortably numb. Overwhelmed by my senses. One of the most fun meals I ever had, that’s what I told them.
At some point while we were all having fun, one of the things I said to that friend of mine who was leaving, was…:
“This is my way to remember this night, to remember you!”
And I was being honest.
After the dinner, we all walked to one of the pubs we usually go, and stayed there for a while. Still, I was enjoying every bit. Eventually, we had to split and go home.
Another night full of small things I will remember for a long time.
Farewell my friend.
I hope we meet again.
