Beginning of the journey
7:00 – You are in the airport terminal with your parents, even though the flight will depart three hours later by decision of your parent, who mentions that we are in “high season and you never know what could happen” . Your mother reminds you to apply sunscreen. “But we’re in a closed place?” you object. “It doesn’t matter,” is her response. Great, three more days of those conversations.
7:34 – A slight setback in the security line (the parents of a little boy have lost a shoe and do not stop searching, even though the child can continue without shoes) causes a five-minute delay. “See? That’s why you always have to arrive three hours early,” your father says with some confidence. “You never know what could happen.”
The arrival and first decisions
15:43 – Once settled in the accommodation, your mother suggests: “We could visit the puppet museum or drive two hours to reach a church famous for its fresco, where we will face temperatures of 40 degrees.” You prefer the beach. “Your generation has lost curiosity about the world around it,” she responds.
20:30 – The first meal included. You haven’t even needed to open your wallet. You’re starting to feel like it’s actually worth it to travel with your parents. However, your father, a little annoyed after having driven three hours to see that fresco (even though he was the one who wanted to drive), questions you about your friend Gemma. You have no idea who he’s referring to. After ten minutes, you conclude that he’s talking about a friend of your sister’s who, curiously, isn’t called Gemma.
Unexpected Encounters
Day 2, 11:34 – Visit to the local market. You notice that there is another person your age, accompanied by her parents. A strange tension arises between the two. Should they talk? Exchange Instagram? Would you go out to dinner? Oh no! You realize you’re stuck in SMSO (Second Origin Mechanoscrit Syndrome), where you’re attracted to someone simply because they’re the only person your age you meet on this vacation with your parents.
2:30 p.m. – Time for lunch. Your mother insists that you try some artichokes, which are supposedly your “favorite dish” (they are definitely not). They discuss whether artichokes really belong to your culinary preferences (and, of course, the answer is no). You get angry: “Mom, stop making things up.” You are an adult, independent and with a stable job. Why does this conversation affect you so much? Artichokes haven’t been to your taste for years, and if she listened to you, she would know it.
Reflections and changes
19:30 – After resolving the misunderstanding, they go to the port to enjoy a glass of wine. Your father takes advantage of the moment to relate a cryptic anecdote about his youth, which you had never heard before. The details about him are so vague that you don’t understand how long he lived in Yugoslavia for two years. Meanwhile, your mother narrates for the fourth time the story of her when she thought she had lost the salad bowl, which was actually at your aunt’s house.
Reflections on family
Day 3, 11:23 – You are no longer sure how many days you have spent with your parents. Three? Six? A full month? Will they still remember you in Barcelona? You text your friend asking if “it’s weird making plans with your parents.” “Nooo, friend,” she replies. “It’s great that you get along with them, it shows maturity.” Then she starts telling you about how she ran into her ex at the usual bar and how it’s weird to miss him. “Nooo, friend,” you assure her. “They have a lot of friends in common and he hasn’t made things easy for you, it’s completely normal that you haven’t gotten over him in two years.”
17:00 – Your parents want to visit a town that is reminiscent of the one they saw the day before. Why are they obsessed with seeing such similar places? You prefer to return to the beach, which was also part of your tour the day before. In the end they agree, but, in the process, they ask you to buy bread, eggs and milk. That? Do you really have to contribute to the family economy, being still a young person on vacation with your parents? Supossely Yes.
The closing of the trip
9:04 p.m. – During dinner, an interesting conversation ensues about adult topics. It’s amazing to think that your parents are autonomous, complex individuals, and not just supporting characters in your story, as you believed for so many years. This implies that your relationship must evolve, right? Should you cook them dinner sometime? It’s complicated. Everything was simpler when you used to claim that your family was “dysfunctional and unstructured” just because they didn’t let you go out to parties during the week, even if it was to review the National Team.
Final thoughts
Day 4, 10:00 – On the last day, you wait for the train. You inform your parents that you are putting on headphones because you don’t feel like talking. “Understood, honey. I feel very happy to have spent these days together,” your mother says. What did she mean by that? Is she just saying that to annoy you?
17:23 – You return home. You’re going out for a beer with your friends. “How was the trip?” they ask. “Fine, but you know how parents are,” you reply. Everyone nods in understanding and begins to share their own family anecdotes, as if they were talking about survival.
22:45 – Already in bed, you send a message to the family group: “It has been great, thank you very much for everything. I like spending time with you, I love you!”
22:46 – Writing…
22:49 – Writing…
22:51 – Writing…
22:52 – “Ok”.
