My Paris-Barcelona trip was indeed the best trip I've ever been into. The ambiance, the people, the places, it was all enough to fall in love with life all over again. Looking back on that week-long adventure makes me think about how people come and go just like that, leaving a mark on your life that only your memory can store for so long. Forty new people I've only known for a week, forty people I will carry with me for the rest of my life. (Yes, we became that close that I actually remember everything with so much emotions). Well, we're exchange students and that's our life.
Anyway, given all the things I've already posted with these forty wonderful people, my family's probably wondering why I missed posting an important day of my Barcelona adventure. Well, that day deserves a whole page on my blog and not just a photo on my Facebook account :)
A lot of you might not know that one of my Dad's closest friends, who also happened to be my godfather, Ninong Topel (A.K.A Chris) lives in Barcelona with Tita Joanne, Jed and Janine.
When my parents knew that I'll be doing the Paris-Barcelona Trip, the first thing they told me is that I should tell Ninong that I'll be there for a couple of days. I seriously thought I wouldn't be allowed to see them because of our hectic schedule and line up of activities, but apparently, I was wrong. Thank God I asked.
On the way to Barcelona, I called Ninong via messenger to inform him that I actually am going. It was all so normal, our conversation was actually just an exchange of information on where I'll be staying, who I'm with, etc. I never expected that it will bring me to tears. Maybe because It's been a while since I last talked to Ninong topel (when I say long, it's actually long- I wasn't this tall yet-that long), and also it has been almost half a year that seeing someone I actually know seems to be so impossible without waiting, then there I was, planning to meet a family that is actually already part of our family the day after that phone call.
We met on the horse statue as I can remember. I was nervous because I was so sure that I would end up crying. I tried so hard not to make them notice, but I obviously failed (haha). They were the closest people I have to home. Actually, they were home to me. For at least 6 hours after more that 5 months, I was reminded of how home feels like.
My day with Ninong and his family started with Churros. Where else in the world can you find authentic mouth watering churros but in Spain! It was so good. Eating while watching Janine enjoy hers as much made it so much better! After, we walked around Barcelona, seeing the tourist spots and the places they usually go to on their free time. It was a Sunday, so it wasn't too crowded. You can really enjoy what you're seeing.
What's there not to love. The weather was perfect, the ambiance was perfect, and you're with four people you've missed so much! Well, we walked around, and I really had a great time. I was so happy that Jed and Janine became comfortable with me as the day goes by as well! You know how much I love kids! We had lunch together afterwards. An eat all you can lunch with rice made my day! It's been a while since I ate that much. Again, it felt so much like home! In the same restaurant, there was a party, a FILIPINO PARTY to be exact. The whole place was filled with Filipinos. We were eating, hearing filipinos talking joking around in tagalog. It amazed me. It was the fist time that hearing my own language actually caught me off guard.
After lunch, we walked to a filipino store where boy bawang, piattos, clover, pancit canton, exists. My heart leaped in excitement seeing filipino food! Thank you Ninong and Tita for a bag full of filipino goodies! I almost didn't share *wink*. I was already a bit shy realizing how much we've done and eaten that day when Tita Joanne gave me a freshly baked Food for the gods and a new pair of boots. Grabe, Maraming salamat po talaga. I enjoyed the cake and I literally wore the shoes the next day. Sobra sobra po yung araw na yun :)
That Sunday was a Sunday to remember. Seeing barcelona is one thing. Being with people you haven't seen in a while, having a good conversation and trying to catch up fast because time is ticking, well, that's another. What amazed me more is how much alike Ninong and Dad was. Their similarity made me miss dad more. Ninong took the pictures, he didn't order his churros, he knows the history of the places, and he showed me around with so much ease, knowledge and security. He was so much like my dad. For a moment, I actually wondered if they're brothers.
This, I can say, is one of the highlights of so far, the best trip of my life. I am so thankful to have shared those significant hours with Tita Joanne, Ninong Topel and the kids. Ofcourse, like all good things, It had to end. As much as I wanted to stay for more, I couldn't, and it was a hard good bye again. After a couple of minutes in the bus going to the hotel, it hit me. Our day was over, but instead of allowing it to make me sad, I opted to remember that day with so much joy and appreciation. Before I end up crying again, I shall end this with a short message for the family whom this blog is for:
Maraming maraming salamat po. You don't know how much that day meant to me. I love you all so much and I can't wait to see you all again! :D
