Around one year ago, on the 22 of December, my family (in which you can include parents, brother, cousins, aunts and oncles, babies....) and I took the long fly across the ocean. And we make it to the gold continent, arrived to the land where Tango and Evita were once born, so, yes, we had just arrived to Argentina.
Of course, it wasn't easy to leave everyone else behind on this dates - christmas - , but however, it was a special chance to meet a wonderful unexpectedly new family I didn't knew I had. As I sometimes have said, my dad was born in Argentina, and some of my relatives still live there. In fact, this country had always appeared to me like that place, far away and barely real, where I have a few family left somewhere lost and where my dad spent his childhood. Oh, unknown truth. I was not even close to reality. Although it was a completely unexplored world to me and it felt a little confusing at a beginning, it ended up being an unforgettable experience.
I'll continue our story: we landed, at last. It had been a rather exahusting 13 hours. Anyway I managed to unite some forces to go along the rest of the day. But I had no idea how long that was going to be. Something I will never forget was the first moment, when we made it to my dad's hometown airport. An insane amount of people was waiting there for us, a wide sea of strange moving faces I had only seen briefly in photos. And some I didn't knew who they even were. I had a quirk feeling growin in my stomach. I was shocked. For some unexplainable reason I felt thrilled to meet all this people. They were family, my family. And, finally, I had the chance to know them. It was day 23 of December.
Of course, it wasn't easy to leave everyone else behind on this dates - christmas - , but however, it was a special chance to meet a wonderful unexpectedly new family I didn't knew I had. As I sometimes have said, my dad was born in Argentina, and some of my relatives still live there. In fact, this country had always appeared to me like that place, far away and barely real, where I have a few family left somewhere lost and where my dad spent his childhood. Oh, unknown truth. I was not even close to reality. Although it was a completely unexplored world to me and it felt a little confusing at a beginning, it ended up being an unforgettable experience.
I'll continue our story: we landed, at last. It had been a rather exahusting 13 hours. Anyway I managed to unite some forces to go along the rest of the day. But I had no idea how long that was going to be. Something I will never forget was the first moment, when we made it to my dad's hometown airport. An insane amount of people was waiting there for us, a wide sea of strange moving faces I had only seen briefly in photos. And some I didn't knew who they even were. I had a quirk feeling growin in my stomach. I was shocked. For some unexplainable reason I felt thrilled to meet all this people. They were family, my family. And, finally, I had the chance to know them. It was day 23 of December.
So the days went on and I was meeting more and more people. I felt very happy because my family was happy to. They were able to see all those beloved ones who they don't get the chance to see them much often: old friends, relatives... And, on the same time, I was meeting them! Somehow, it seemed to me that I had known them for years. But maybe, it was like that. We hadn't seen, cousin to cousin, but we knew we existed. Then, something that had never happened to me ever before occurred: it was Christmas Day and we gathered at my aunt's / cousins pool. It really was SUMMER As a since-ever-born European, I had never spent this season on the South and it was so curious to be opening presents under the warming sun. So I found out that Santa Claus does also wear swimming suits!
Days went along and we were having a wonderful time fulfilled with Argentinian 'asados' and laughs. When New Year was approaching, we said goodbye and flew to the South, to El Calafate. We were surrounded by some truly gorgeous landscapes. They were some unbelievable kind of beautiful peace, like if nature had come together to spread a pleasant silence. We spent the very first day in a typical Estancia (like a hotel - farm) which was simply perfect: horses, delicious food, and lovely service. What a nice way to start 2014!
But, all beautiful things have an end. And we eventually had to take our flight back to Barcelona. We, a little sadly, said goodbye to everyone we had met, after two weeks of enjoying an incredible experience. This trip is something I will never forget. It changed my point of view on so many things such as family, society and culture. Argentina was such a different country from what I was used too, and, seeing it by myself, probably opened my eyes to realize how lucky I am. And not to forget all the awesome people I met! I am crazily willing to go back there. But resuming it: an unforgettable voyage in which I learnt a little more about this magical thing called family.
How are you going to spend Christmas Day? Any fun traditions? Tell me about, I would love to hear!
Would you follow me on twitter or facebook or bloglovin? You won't regret it1
Would you follow me on twitter or facebook or bloglovin? You won't regret it1
Sincerely,
Vera
Vera