No one slept that night. I would drift off for a little bit until someone started singing again. Aunty Mel arrived at about 4am. Everyone was woken up for that. And it was the same thing again- talk/sing, talk/sing, talk/sing, kiss hug, etc. Just a quite a bit longer than the previous ones. After that it was kinda pointless to try and sleep anymore. Breakfast was served at 6am. It was leftovers from last night. Yup, all those cupcakes I made tuesday were eaten.
All through the rest of the morning people were coming to the marae. People who were not able to make it for the whole week or to travel all the way to Tolaga Bay where the service would be held. Guess what that meant...? Yup. More talk/singing/kiss/hugging. By this time I was starting to feel familiar with the pattern. The group was supposed to leave Auckland for Paeroa at 7. We didn't leave until 10. But that is the usual I guess. 7 means 10, 10 actually means 12, and, well you get the picture. Nothing happens when it is supposed to. It happens when every one is ready.
It was an hour and a half drive to Paeroa, I slept for an hour and 20 min. When we got there there was a large welcoming on ceremony. This one lasted for 2 and a half hours. Yes, I timed it. And not a lick of it was in english. I will never complain about a long, boring sacrament meeting again, at least then I know what the speakers are saying. The speaker for our group was a particularly long-winded individual named Tony. (yeah, thats a nice maori name isn't it?) He would talk at all of these things and he seemed to love that responsibility. He just loved listening to his own voice. I asked Aunty Robyn what he was saying and she said he was just repeating the same thing over and over.
After that it was lunch time. And I got brave and tried a raw mussel. I didn't like it.
One of the good things about a marae is that the mattresses stay set up all day so you can go and have a nap whenever you want. I took advantage of this fact. It's funny how when you are tired enough you can sleep through anything, cause I had a wonderful nap even thought I was in a strange place, on a strange bed, surrounded by strangers who were constantly talking, singing, or snoring. I guess I just got used to it all.
And for the rest of the day?
More mingling. I met a nice man, Bro. can't-remember-his-first-name Shepard. He knew Grandad way back when he first joined the church. It was great talking to him. Also met some cousins and other fun people.
A fish 'n chip run with the Aunties.
Another small nap.
And meanwhile, a constant stream of people coming to pay their respects. For poor Tony that meant more talking.
In the evening they held a lovely little service. Followed up by story-telling, reminiscing, and more singing. So it turned into another late night. I think I dosed off half way through. Believe it or not, I liked sleeping in the marae. It was kinda cosy in there cuddled up next to my little cousins.
Surprisingly I didn't take many pictures at the marae. It just wasn't appropriate you know? I did get this one though. I think I'm doing pretty good with trying new food. I just might dedicate a whole post to that one day.
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