Darling Chris...

Amigos: Sorry por publicar en inglés pero esto va dedicado a un amigo muy querido que parte de regreso a su hogar en Sud-Africa después de una estadía muy larga en nuestro país... lo echaré de menos, especialmente, nuestras conversaciones... Aquí va:

I still remember the day I met you in that office. I was just about to become your Spanish teacher for three months, remember? More than two years have elapsed since then and we have become quite good friends. That’s why I have these encountered feelings at the moment of your departure. I’m so very happy for you because you will come back to your home town and will meet your loved ones again. Besides, you will have this terrific chance of such a wonderful job, exciting and full of challenges. Oh my boy, I wish you all the happiness you deserve… and God knows you deserve a lot!

But now, on the other hand, I have this inner feeling of pity and sorrow. It’s not easy to let go… and you know it. I’m feeling just like the Last Samurai at the end of the battle, remember? When Tom Cruise’s character said to him that he will miss their conversations minutes before he died? And you are so much like him, my friend!! You walk around the crowd within different cultures and learn from them and take the best with you... Well, I feel in the same way. Undoubtedly, I will miss our endless conversations in which we discussed about everything. Remember when we started reading “El Caballero de la Armadura Oxidada” in class? That was the beginning of our endless and deep convesations about life, fate, faith and love.

I just loved listening to your opinions, adventures and stories. I could see the countries you have visited through your eyes! I knew about South Africa just as if I have been there as well. I learnt things from my own country that I didn’t realized before and I got to know you so well that you became one of my very special friends. I was delighted by your kind heart and good feelings. It was a pleasure teaching you. Shortly, you became one of my outstanding students. You always were a step ahead, making intelligent questions. You hardly ever failed classes and that made me feel very good as a teacher…

Y nada! Farewells have never been easy for me, you know… I hate saying that word - which cuts like a knife - and then to kiss someone goodbye… That’s the stuff life is made of, I know. However, your nice personality and your kindness makes it hard to accept. Besides, there are so many things for which be gratefull for!!! I hope that your new life won't change you a bit.

I wish you the best of success in your new assignments. I hope you will come back soon. I positively know that there will be many people waiting for your visit again. I really hope we meet again pretty soon, here or there… only time will tell. So until then, I wish you luck, love and happiness by the sack full!!!!

And yeap!!! I will really, really miss our conversations, my sweet Samurai.

Last but not least, I leave a small present for you down here. Enjoy it!!! (Go, go for it and don't let ANYBODY stop you any more!!!)... Until we see...

With love,

Icy