We both walked outside, mobile phones in our ears and started looking for each other. And there he was , fashionable as always. A green army jacket with fur around the collar, a cool beige hat and big rim glasses. I was pleased to see that Albert was still Albert ; his funky style and his sarcastic sense of humour intact and in fine form as always.
Albert's been away from Vancouver for almost 9 years. He's been living in Okinawa, Japan, and in Hong Kong. He's travelled extensively while in Asia and he's fallen in love with all things Korean.
His eyes light up as he starts telling me about the amazing Korean pop culture. How the Korean movies, most of them dramatic with tragic endings, are gaining more and more popularity all over Asia. How the cool pop music can make anyone want to get up and dance. He blissfully recalls signing karaoke with a good friend in Korea. "Ah, the Korean girls! such grace and style!" he says with a glint in his eye.
Albert is quite the fashion icon himself. I remember meeting him for the first time 14 years ago when I started working at a travel agency where he was the resident expert. I was in awe of his impeccable style. Every morning he used to make a grand entrance as he strolled in dressed to the nines in unique and colourful outfits.
I had quite the healthy respect for Albert and his extensive knowledge about the travel industry as well. He didn't have much time for the new kid on the block and he wasn't the one you would turn to for too much help. But once I got the hang of things, we became fast buddies.
We shared some good laughs over the years, and we often went out to the bars after work with our colleagues. The travel agency we worked for was a bit like Fawlty Towers. Our crazy boss was endearing in some ways, and maddening in all other ways.
Albert is quite the linguist and is always learning new languages. He decided one day that he needed to learn Japanese. He took a language class and announced a few weeks later that he was moving to Japan. He lived in Okinawa for 4 years and perfected his Japanese skills.
"The beaches! the wonderful weather, the delicious food, the nice people..." Albert reminisces about his Japanese years. "But terrible working conditions. We worked from 8 am to 9 pm. We had Sundays off and one day in the middle of the week. "
After a few years, Albert grew tired of his Japanese adventures and decided to move to Hong Kong, where he grew up.
He lived on the countryside and rolls his eyes dramatically when he tells me about the commute to downtown Hong Kong. "The transit system is very expensive and I commuted 3 hours a day. Commuters are packed like sardines on the trains. The air pollution is terrible in Hong Kong but there is one good thing; the shopping! such amazing deals!" Albert's eyes light up as he tells me about all the affordable fashion, his vast collection of shoes and hats.
"My old friends have all moved on with their lives in different directions and I don't feel connected to them anymore. I've travelled so much since leaving Hong Kong for the first time, I have a different perspective of the world."
I wonder what Albert's hopes and dreams are for the future, and how it feels to be back after so many years abroad?
"It's so good to be back in Vancouver! I don't feel it's changed much but it's all good! I just want to be happy and healthy. I look forward to reconnect with old friends and I hope that tomorrow will be brighter than today" he says with a big smile. It's good to have Albert back in town.
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