Saying goodbye to the "Armid's"

As we entered our 2nd year in Jakarta we are reminded again of how expat life though very exciting, it sometimes is a little nonconforming. After 3 years of living overseas; learning about new cultures, trying new cuisines, setting up a new home twice (in India and Indonesia) and all the other aspects that go hand in hand with living in a foreign country. There is one thing that has always seemed to make life easier… FRIENDS!

But even that, sadly comes with conditions. I suppose it is the “expat” circle of life. I’ve realised that it is easier being the one leaving than being the one being left behind. In the past 3 years we’ve been lucky. We’ve made and sadly had to say goodbye to a lot of great friends, now scattered all over the world.

Jav and Armid are another couple that we were very sad to see leave recently. Without them the past year in Jakarta wouldn’t have been the same.

There is so much we will miss about these guys, especially the fun Wii evenings at their house and of course Jav’s famous chocolate eclairs and brownies.

We’ve tried to squeeze in as many “nights with the Armid’s" (as we call them).

On Friday, 1 May we had a lovely dinner with a couple of Marc and Armid's colleagues at Eastern Promise, followed by a very entertaining evening at B.A.T.S. at the Shangri-La Hotel.

Oh, Jav...how I will miss our Blue Steel poses.

The very crowded infamous B.A.T.S. night club.

On Saturday, 2 May I arranged a surprise farewell for Jav and Armid. We enjoed a great dinner with close friends at Louwy followed by Karaoke at the FX Mall.

Jo, me and Jav.

The Jakarta Expat Boys.

The Jakarta Expat Boys, getting better at it ;-)

Myself, Jav and Armid doing our rendition of "Push the Button". Not an easy song choice I should add...

On Wednedsay, 13 May we attended Armid's wok farewell at Le Brasserie.
Armid was presented with a farewell cake, compliments of La Brasserie.

Armid (the pandemic specialist) will be missed by all his colleagues. Especially now with the "imminent" Swine Flu pandemic.

Jav and I were the only two roses between all the thorns.

On Thursday, 14 May Jav and Armid stayed with us and we enjoyed our “last supper” together.
Keon, saying his goodbyes to his nanny, Ibu Santi.

Em in front of the PC and Jav trying to squeeze one last item of clothing into the already full suitcase.

On Friday morning, 15 May we said our last sad goodbye to our dear friends.

Jav, Armid and Keon (our little man) “You guys will be missed. A sincere thanks to you both for your friendship and we wish you the best of luck with your new exciting venture in Baltimore. We look forward to hearing all about this new chapter in your lives”.