Like BFL and I. Two different cultures. Two different countries. Even two types of age cohort. Yet despite of the apparent differences, we share even more similarities. From integral core values right up to the fun silly stuff we indulge in. Chocolates. Silly poems. Out of sync dancing. Mucking around in the mud on country walks.
The most uncanny coincidences were us spending considerable time at the same place however at different times. To name the few: we were both learning french at Institute Francais. We spent quite a fair bit of time in a building at Waterloo. BFL's first civil posting. A decade and much refurbishments later, me having classes and working in the library of the very same building. Our first jobs was in a book shop - just him in London, the other Borneo.
Because we began our journey together on the premise of 'within differences lies similarities' - we have always treasured that each other's sense of individualism. Giving each other the space to just be yet in the same stride, by introducing each other to those differences we have by far enriched our sense of awareness and understanding of life and in particular each other.
BFL always jokes about him being the man 'your mother warned you about'. I retort in jest how he's introduced me to all the 'decadent gwailo ways'. But in addition to alcohol and chocolates, he has been instrumental in developing a deeper understanding of European history and culture.
For example, experiencing both opera and ballet (admittedly my max is 3 hours ... anything more is torture) In return, I've introduced him to the great oriental past time: Eating! - Initiating him into different types of Oriental foods - from Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Indonesian. He has since developed a deep rooted appreciation for 'prawn crackers' ('so good it's not true!') and fried rice.
On another track, his rather stark bachelor pad has been transformed into a place more cosy and homey. We've now taken to hosting friends and family in our little kitchen. Me being chef, he the sommelier. This comes also with cleaning up services (I, strangely enough like cleaning). While he does ironing, taking out the rubbish and the de-cluttering. That's us in our natural state.
One unlikely combination ... yet it somehow works.
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