My sister is off around the world in November, meaning that the Rampage Clan won't all be together for Christmas for the first time ever. My mother has always been adamant that the first year that one of us doesn't come home will be the first year that she will not be at home for Christmas either. Understandable, cooking and cleaning after my dad and uncle deserves a break sometime. Usually the return of the prodigal son and daughter is enough; this time it looks like it'll be her going on strike and leaving the country with the dad unwillingly in tow.
I just can't help feeling a little left out of all of this planning - I don't come home very often and Christmas, despite meaning nothing to me as a religious celebration, is always one of my high points of the year.
My mother gave me the following choices:
1. Have a Christmas at home without my sister - that would be miserable. Not even considering that one.
2. Go with my parents somewhere for Christmas - not considering that one either. I don't like travelling and I can only imagine doing it with my parents to be a unspeakably bad idea.
3. Go and catch up with my sister and her boyfriend in India for six weeks in Dec/Jan - the mother has offered to subsidise the trip for me. It seems like a nice idea, but the not liking travelling thing is an issue. Plus, I have never been outside Europe and the idea of it scares me (I shall tell y'all why in a forthcoming post. Keep your pants on).
4. This one is my own idea - hang out in Berlin for Christmas. Potential for being alone and miserable and sad: High.
When I consider Option 4, I can't help but remember an episode of Mr. Bean where he gets his head stuck up a turkey. That's the sort of misery I am picturing for myself if I stay in Berlin. Plus I can't cook for shit.
*checks flights to India*
