What a wonderful life: 'die Einladung'

One day an Indonesian student has been invited to a party by his German friend.

German: If you have time tonight, I invite you to joint in my birthday Party
Indonesian: Ok, thanks you, when?
says Indonesian happily, because this will be the first chance to have more local friend, to know more German culture, to enjoy German Party, or at least enjoy the free food.. etc.

G: 7 pm, at Santa Fe , a mexican restaurant. You know where it is, don't you?
I: yea I know where. Don't worry, I will be there on time!

He feels surprise and exciting with the invitation. However, this is the first time for going to the German Party, even for going to the Mexican restaurant. He is really happy for that; thinking about Santa Fe, the famous Mexican restaurant in this city, thinking about new friends, new taste of food...drink...new life style...and never forget thinking that those all will be free..`kostenlose`. However he won't go to this restaurant by his own little money as a student. It must be expensive for a student like him. Although he just has little money but he should bring something for his friend, he thinks. He remembers that he still has a souvenir from Indonesia, Bali Mask. He will give it to him. His friend must be like it, he guess. He remembers that such mask is always interesting for tourist.

***

At 7 pm on time! Wearing his best formal cloth that he has, he enters the restaurant. No body that he knows there. He looks around. No body he knows! Finally a waiter comes to him, offer an helps. He explain that he's invited by his friend 'Beiwirth' for a birthday Party in this restaurant. The waiter understands soon, and then she points at the 'empty' table, with written 'reservation', ask him to sit there. For a moment he waits, the waiter comes and offer him menu book, he then orders 'orangen saft', it's easy for him-orange juice- since he doesn't know which drink without alcohol. He is sure, that no alcohol inside orange juice. However, it is always too long time for waiting although it's only 5 minutes. He hopes always, that he has no mistake about the restaurant. He is still doubt because it is already 7 .15 but nobody here. He is too early or German is also usually late or he has mistake about the restaurant where he should go? He wonders. He asks then the waiter to make sure that this is indeed Santa Fe restaurant and the person, who reserves the table, is Andreas Beiwirth, his friend. He said to himself then, the beginning is always difficult..Hmm bad start perhaps! Finally at 8.00 his friend comes.

G: Haloo..you 're already here. You are the first!
I: You said, that your party is at 7pm. So i hope i am not late
G: jaa...but this is only Party..my dear friend..
I: hmm... i though you're all here always on time..
G: my dear friend, we are also only human like you. Being on time is only belonging to the maschine.

His German friend laughs. He nods understands.
More and more people come. He only knows some of them. He makes new friend only with a guy who sit next to him, he try to make chat with him. He orders Mexican food Tortilla, drinking many kind of juice. Even he orders also some food more, Tuna steak! He likes to eat, thus it really paradise for him, he thinks. It is still 10 pm. Finally, he already feels full, and boring! It is not interesting anymore even to talk with a guy who sit next to him, the only new friend for him. He confuses what should he talks about with him more. He looks suround; people keep talking and talking all the time without break, without he understands. He blames on himself, that his German language is poor. However, he still tries to understand what some people talking about. Not so important thing, sometimes even they talk for nothing. Talking about their experience in Africa, although they just spend only a week as a tourist but they can tell a story seems they already years living in Africa.

***

Night has came soon, some of people get drunk, he is only the man in this desk who is still able to think clearly and he feels lonely in a crowded place. There are friends but no friend. He then feels sleepy and very boring but people seem to be more enjoy. He wants to go home, but he feels not so polite if he homes sooner. More and more he can't completely enjoy the party, he feels being ignored and ignores. He feels lonely between what he thinks friends. People keep talking like bees and drinking more beers. Alcohol is smelled more in his nose. He get headache then. He feels he can't stand anymore; he has to come out from this Party. He has to broke his own tradition, going back early before the event is finish. Finally he can speak to his friend who is already half drunk.

I: I am so sorry; it's already night for me. I will go home
He tried to be polite.
G:Are you sure want to leave? The Party is just start!..

His friend said. He nods. But, before he leaves, his friend call a waiter to count what he has ordered; what he's ate and drunk. He is surprised that at the end he has to pay for all what he's ordered. He though he is invited, so that means he will be treated for enjoying the Mexican restaurant for free, no pay! Well..well..well..at last he realizes that now he is not in Indonesia, he is now in Germany. Although you are invited you have to pay by your self or perhaps you should bring some food by your self. This is the tradition here. He says to himself. He laughs by himself then..He has spent more than 50 euro, a big money for him, for enjoying Mexican restaurant, smelling beer, talking without an understanding, for his headache smelling alcohol, whatever it cost for his willing to enjoy German life, his willing to have new German friends..At first he feels so disadvantage. However, if he thinks these all will be new experience for his part of life, then what a lucky he is..Life is always wonderful with all the diversity, he thinks then.....