went to my favourite bar and ended up chatting with my favourite bartender for a while. the language barrier didn't feel like an issue anymore. the bar ran out of food but he said we are more than welcome to just get food from elsewhere and eat at the bar even after we finished our drinks. felt like I'm making connections and am being accepted as a local in the city.
also realised it was his birthday yesterday while my friend and i were leaving, so we wished him, but we're going back tomorrow with a cake for him cause he's always the sweetest :)