Sunday, 17 January 2016

Fun and Funerals (Au Pair Experience, Día Dos, Part One)

I have this niggling niggle to finish my Year Abroad application but I really really don't want to. There's only so many final decisions I can make right now...          

Pero bueno on with the post. So yesterday's mystery funeral was for my host mum's brother in law, dear Carlos, who was a singer and clearly a well-loved member of the family. I didn't realise we were attending his funeral, I only understood that my host mum would be there. Sure enough we arrived at a church about half an hour from Barcelona airport and with my temporary deafness I managed to shout excitedly, "What's this?!" as we entered. God, I felt awful. Luckily I didn't get chucked out, maybe it wasn't that loud and no one understood what I said. It wasn't about me anyway. A priest conducted the service in Catalan (didn't understand except the Amens), there was communion (where Catholics take in the body of Christ, we didn't go up) and then a beautiful video of Carlos singing in a packed hall and lots of photos. Then it was over.

We left the Church and I met tons of family who were all friendly, not too many tears and then we set off for dinner (host dad ate my sandwich and I was stuck with his💔) and the final drive home. We worked out I'd been travelling for 8 hours from my house to theirs (not easy with CFS) and the kids fell asleep. At home I was shown my room and everywhere else in the house then it was time to sleep.

It was 'un día intenso' as my host mum said but for more reasons than those above. This time last year, a year ago yesterday, my family lost a beloved aunt, mother, daughter and sister. My mum and I said a prayer for her in the airport (decided not to bother with the chapel, stood outside of it) and when she left she went to comfort my grandma. Rest in peace Aunty Barbara, we miss you. 💙

It was just an emotional day and of course it took its toll. I won't over think it but I wasn't prepared and it just shows travelling doesn't mean that real life actually stops

Join me for part two ✌

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