We used to live about 20 to 30 minutes away from our friends – now we are separated by thousands of kilometers. It might seem strange that as a refugee you can also be a hostess. But because we don’t know when we can see each other next in Ukraine, a childhood friend visited me in Munich, she currently lives in Canada.
We walked a lot through Munich together, I showed her my favorite places – the Isar, of course, Karlsplatz, Marienplatz and the English Garden. We talked late into the night and in those moments I felt like I was at home and everything was like it used to be.
A goodbye with tears
I also invited my girlfriend to my German host family to show her where I live now. But I didn’t even think about asking my girlfriend to stay here. For me that would have been strange. It’s not my house and I would have felt uncomfortable asking my hosts about it.
I met another friend in Berlin, she has been living in Karlsruhe since April. We studied together and were now able to write an exam for our master’s degree in Berlin. We cried when we saw each other because it was so unusual. In February we still met in our favorite cafe in Kyiv and now in another country. Of course we feel ourselves as guests here. But as guests who receive others with a lot of joy and love. Another good friend from the Ukraine recently moved to Frankfurt. Now we are planning your arrival in Munich.
One thing is certain: we don’t want to lose each other as friends, even if friendship at a distance can be difficult. I’m sure we can do it.