Sunday 10th August; Day 55! Last day in Italy!!! As I am writing this, on the 17th of September, however haha I arrived in Malaga today and am currently waiting for Irena who has just flown in from Italy :) can't wait to spend the next few days with her.
But for my last day in Italy I wasn't the happiest chappy that's for sure! I packed my things, and Mattia and I headed to say goodbye to his Dad and partner, also bye to Irena, and then to his Mums house to relax for a few hours with Mattia's sister and brother before saying bye to them too. Mattia also needed to pack and get accommodation still booked and everything as he was leaving Italy also the following day and heading back to Australia to go back to working in the mines.
While at Denis's house, she let us know that Ben, (her partner) was out hiking with some friends in a mountain or forest, and that they had lost their friend who is partially deaf or blind..I forget which, but either way, not a good situation at all and I was feeling a little worried for the man. Good on him for going hiking though, and thankfully a few hours later we got the call to say they had found him. We could laugh about it afterwards but man I'm glad they found him...
Before leaving for the Airport, Mattia's sister, Clarissa decided to pull out old photos of when Mattia was a baby and they were so cute! It was so nice to see the whole family from when they were young and it let me feel like I knew them just that little bit more! ...
It's amazing when you travel just the kinds of people you meet and the impact they have on your life. It's interesting to think, how did I ever Not know these people, and, imagine if I had stayed in Australia and never met these people at all. It really is about the people you meet and you don't connect with everybody but as soon as you do, you understand the reasons for traveling and how things all unfolded to get you to the point of meeting that particular person or people. Just food for thought but anyway!
When it was time to go I gave Denis a big hug and a million kisses and said see you soon before Mattia and I got in the car and were drove to the airport by Mattia's brother, Luca. The whole way there I was very quiet and maybe a little emotional. I had such an incredible time in such a beautiful place - I don't know anyone who Would want to leave!!! At the airport, Mattia and I hugged goodbye and it felt weird to leave but we said see you soon and laughed that I would probably be back in Italy before him!!!!
In the Airport I walked around for a while until I saw that one thing on the screens that every traveler dreads seeing - flight delayed!!!!!!!!!! Brilliant!!! And it didn't say how long for!!! First time for everything though right, and I was lucky that this hadn't happened before now as at least I was in no rush to get back! I knew Italy wanted me to stay!! I decided to make a call home to a good friend and about half an hour later our flight came back up (thank God!) and I lined up to board with everyone else for another half an hour with my friend on the line until I stepped on the plane :)
The flight back was great and by the time I got to Seville it was dark. I hadn't been in Seville by myself yet but I made my way by bus to San Bernardo where the family live. I treated myself to dinner once in San Bernardo before making a windy walk trying to find the house! The family were not going to arrive until the next day so I was on my own but it was nice to chill out and get some rest.
Monday 11th August I decided to head downtown in Seville to do some touristy things. I caught a tram that only took 5 minutes to the centre and started making my way through the little streets. I didn't realise how beautiful Seville actually was and as I saw the Cathedral I was mesmerized!! Huge to say the least! And stunning!!!! I headed inside and paid the €8 entry > if you live in Seville it's free but me saying I was living with a family didn't work somehow haha!!! A little expensive but definitely worth it as I got inside!!! Unfortunately my Canon camera was still getting fixed so I used my phone to take photos but I had no idea how many different areas and rooms there would be inside. After the Cathedral I walked through the city just enjoying exploring and wandering around before grabbing a coffee and heading back to the family's house as they would be picking me up to go back to the country house. It was weird to be back as so much had happened for me in just a few days but the weather was beautiful and it was nice to go for a swim in the pool once we arrived into the village.
I'm starting to see just how close-knit and tight all the families and communities are here in place like Spain and Italy; it's beautiful and definitely how I would like to bring up my own family. It feels very different to the English or Australian culture or way from what I know... Italy to a close for now but I can not wait til the day I get to return, whenever that may be :)