Neighbors

This past week we had some short adventures including a day high in the mountains near the Sierra Nevada ski area with impressive views extending in every direction.  

Another day we hiked down to the Poqueira river gorge where we soaked our feet in the cool water while eating a snack of apricots and cheese. 

We continue to learn about our home and surroundings.  Each walk around the property leads to new discoveries and we have learned more about our solar-power system and how to properly maintain the batteries.  We have chosen a simple life: not a life free of demands.  But the work required is just the work of living, and there is joy in that.

More acquisitions have occurred, ranging from a milk-frother to a chain saw, but still no furniture. Perhaps next week, although we are getting very used to living with one tiny bed, two chairs and a small patio table.  

The past few days have been full of festivities in the nearby villages.  Two nights ago a carload of British neighbors drove past on their way to the "Witch Festival" in Soportujar.  And, after a week of listening to the band practice, the past two nights we have fallen asleep to the sounds of music in Pampaneira and Capileira.  The music goes on nearly until sunrise.  We can't imagine how people stay up celebrating all night long for several nights in a row.

One evening early last week I was sitting outside and heard someone calling, "hello!"  When I realized that "hello" was not "hola," it occurred to me that someone was calling out a greeting to us! Every property here is fenced and each driveway has a gate that is closed with at least a bolt, and probably a lock.  I have wondered how we would go about meeting the neighbors. We keep our gate locked at night, but have tried to remember to unlock it during the day in case someone wanted to stop by.  On that day we had forgotten to unlock the gate but Richard and Manuel had walked to the back of our property and let themselves in through an unlocked gate there.  

It was a delight to meet some of the neighbors and we appreciated their initiative in coming to greet us.  We all walked around the property together and observations were made and advice offered. Manuel knows the uses and specifics of the various plants and herbs and we learned to chew a sage leaf for a tooth ache, and to prune walnut trees only in August so there is no "bleeding" from the tree. Richard did some translating for us, but Manuel was talkative and animated and much of his message was clear even without a common language.  I invited them in but then was reminded that we do not yet have a table and chairs, so making someone feel welcomed is a bit awkward.  We will invite them back when we can offer them a place to sit.

Last week while driving down the mountain we came near a man who was walking along with his thumb out.  It was a very hot day and he was clearly in need of a ride.  We stopped and he climbed into the back seat.  He was sweaty and dusty and was appreciative of the ride.  He and Sam chatted in Spanish and we learned that the man lived somewhere up on the mountain and Sam told him that we did as well.  We took him to the turn for Soportujar and wished him well.  Yesterday while driving back up the mountain we saw him again and so we stopped and offered him a ride.  We learned that his name is Andre, and it turns out he is one of our neighbors.  We drove him down the steep track to his house where we were greeted by many dogs of varying levels of aggressiveness. Andre was very thankful for the ride and we think he told us that his home is always open to us, but there is a good chance we misunderstood.  He figured out where we live and seemed surprised that we have bought the place.  I'm sure that we will have many more opportunities to visit.  

Back in the U.S. we would never pick up hitch-hikers, especially sweaty, dusty, bearded ones.  But life is very simple here and relationships are necessary for survival.  We came with a goal of being more open and generous and we are so pleased to have responded with trusting kindness to this neighbor.  One of the lessons I learned on the Camino last year is to be open to the kindness of others. So far we have been the recipients of much kindness and we look forward to passing that on to others as opportunities occur.