queen vic

Living in a foreign land makes you think of ways on how to make it bearable. One approach is to make it feel like home. Or something remotely like that, no matter how undesirable it may be.

My friend here who, eventually became my roomate, found this establishment called Queen Vic. It's an acoustic bar a few blocks from where we work. In our frequent visits there, (frequent is.. well, frequent) we have made friends with the staff, specially the band. A duo of telented musician and singer. I understand now what the theme from "CHEERS" meant. When we go there, everybody knows our name and, honestly, it feels nice to be acknowledged by the performers and be called their friends.

Sadly, they closed a week ago. They were demolishing the building they occupy and they were forced to go home. Some of the bar staff stayed and were promised a relocation. The performers weren't though. They said goodbye to us through text.

Now everytime I hear songs they used to play, I can't help but feel bummed out. They used to sing them for us. Literally. It sounds a little silly to be sad about something like this but we both do. It sometimes feels good to be welcomed in a place where a lot of people also go to and be treated differently.

Arla and Josh, I know we'll meet again. Thank you for all the MYMPs and Nina's you dedicated to us. You made us feel at home in this difficult place. Most of all, thank you for being our friend.