I've been on vacation in Asia for about a week (won't say where), and decided to reach out to a friend who I have not seen in over 13 years. In the past, I have always talked about visiting, but have never had the chance until now. I have not visited my mother's homeland for about 13 years, however, and this would have been a good opportunity to visit each other and reconnect. The city we are in is HUGE, almost 8 million people with many sights, tons of delicious food and endless shopping and attractions.

I am not familiar with the roads or directions here (although I speak the language), but I have my sister to help out, and we have been going everywhere around town together. I also have her two daughters with us, 11 years and 8 years. The four of us together plus our aunt and her adult son (our cousin) makes 4 adults and 2 kids. I wouldn't wander around town alone, or go anywhere by myself even if it was safe, especially since I have not been here in over a decade. On the days that my aunt and cousin are free, they take us around town. We go as a family, eat together, sight-see, and go shopping.

I asked my friend if we could meet close to my aunt's house at a local shopping mall about 15 minutes away (without traffic) because it would be easier especially because we have kids. Traffic is horrible here and since my group is bigger than my friend's group, it is easier to go a shorter distance with traffic and have my friend meet us there (she would be alone).

Originally, I was going to meet near my friend's place, but with my group being so large, it would be almost 4 hours, TO AND FROM, home to commute, which would be tiring for all of us. I asked my friend if we could change to meet closer to my aunt's place. However, this friend would not change plans because it was "not easy for her and she has to travel more than 2 hours total to go home". I flew over 5000+ miles from the United States, arranged some time to meet up with her, the first time in over 13 years! I initiated our meeting and made the effort, which I could have easily blown off and forgotten about. This is her hometown and I think the least that she could do is meet me closer to where I am. I don't come to Asia often, nor do I live in the same city. I got so annoyed that I refused to make other plans or rearrange for another meeting. Do you think what she did was unfair? Or am I overreacting?

It's unusual for someone to act that way in our culture. Usually, she would be the one who would be okay with meeting me anywhere especially since I don't know the area. :shrug: I don't know... just really annoyed.