We woke up before the sun…
Don Francisco and Doña Frida are waiting for us.
An invitation of appreciation. for the support they have received from Agrecolandes and the Parroquia.
The rules of their invitation:
“Be here at 6 am. You come to stay the whole day, or don’t come at all”
Don Francisco used to be the founder of the association of one of the communities of Totora, that now I don’t recall the name. A community of no more than 50 inhabitants who walk more than 4 hours to reach the main town, crossing the majestic mountains.
Don Francisco and Doña Frida are waiting for us.
An invitation of appreciation. for the support they have received from Agrecolandes and the Parroquia.
The rules of their invitation:
“Be here at 6 am. You come to stay the whole day, or don’t come at all”
Don Francisco used to be the founder of the association of one of the communities of Totora, that now I don’t recall the name. A community of no more than 50 inhabitants who walk more than 4 hours to reach the main town, crossing the majestic mountains.
On our way, amazed to see the colours burning the mountains, a huge condor like cloud
… and the sun slowly appearing…
!Good morning!
We arrive at their hidden paradise.
… A water container that recollects the rain water, tens of goats, a garden of all type of organic vegetables
…The fresh breeze of the ever ending mountains and his 3 or 4 little children running around…
… A goat just killed, lying down dead with its skin wide open
... Impressed to see its inner organs
Don Francisco as if a professional doctor follows a precise surgery process of cleaning and preparing the animal for the later feast.
… and the sun slowly appearing…
!Good morning!
We arrive at their hidden paradise.
… A water container that recollects the rain water, tens of goats, a garden of all type of organic vegetables
…The fresh breeze of the ever ending mountains and his 3 or 4 little children running around…
… A goat just killed, lying down dead with its skin wide open
... Impressed to see its inner organs
Don Francisco as if a professional doctor follows a precise surgery process of cleaning and preparing the animal for the later feast.
We walk down the mountain.
The cows are waiting to be milked and ambrosia to be served on heart like seed containers.
What is ambrosia in the Bolivian context? Milk just milked from the cow or goat mixed with strong alcohol that provokes an early dizziness and joy that stays for the whole day.
I think I am imagining hearing: “Daughter of Zeus, sister of Hercules drink ambrosia”
Well, it is not my imagination. This is how they all started calling me when I said I am from the Greece of Zeus, Plato and now the Greece of Tsipras.
I drink and I observe Don Francisco and Donia Frida how proud they feel that they can share with us all they have. And I keep saying
“This is Paradise” : Traditional Andean Music, ancient drink, impressive welcoming nature, smiles of gratitude and sharing. What else to ask for?
The cows are waiting to be milked and ambrosia to be served on heart like seed containers.
What is ambrosia in the Bolivian context? Milk just milked from the cow or goat mixed with strong alcohol that provokes an early dizziness and joy that stays for the whole day.
I think I am imagining hearing: “Daughter of Zeus, sister of Hercules drink ambrosia”
Well, it is not my imagination. This is how they all started calling me when I said I am from the Greece of Zeus, Plato and now the Greece of Tsipras.
I drink and I observe Don Francisco and Donia Frida how proud they feel that they can share with us all they have. And I keep saying
“This is Paradise” : Traditional Andean Music, ancient drink, impressive welcoming nature, smiles of gratitude and sharing. What else to ask for?
Its time for thanking Don Francisco and Doña Frida. On a big circle we take turns thanking for the invitation in Spanish and in Quechua, the language of the Incas. Transported in time, It does not matter if I don’t understand, I can see and feel the humbleness of this man and this woman and their drive to help their community.
Don Francisco thanks the Parroquia and Agrecolandes for its support and promises to keep supporting his community with dedication. The words seem big and the promises even bigger, but I have a feeling that his words are truthful and the more the day passes I am more convinced.
Back to the house, playing with the little goats, singing Andean songs, drinking beer and chewing coca leafs…The women are cooking, moliendo the herbs for the big goat that we will soon taste… Delicious although a bit hard to chew.
A moment the music stops and now all a bit more relaxed, the round of gratitude begins again . Don Francisco invites us for the next year and he is asking for the Director of Agrecolandes to also attend. He is thanking the priest of the Parroquia, that is the director of the community Program for his visit, eventhough late. It is an honour.
Back to the house, playing with the little goats, singing Andean songs, drinking beer and chewing coca leafs…The women are cooking, moliendo the herbs for the big goat that we will soon taste… Delicious although a bit hard to chew.
A moment the music stops and now all a bit more relaxed, the round of gratitude begins again . Don Francisco invites us for the next year and he is asking for the Director of Agrecolandes to also attend. He is thanking the priest of the Parroquia, that is the director of the community Program for his visit, eventhough late. It is an honour.
I listen carefully and I realize how everyone refers to one another with his/her title… Once they finish I feel I need to say the following few words
“ Behind your titles and the role of each one of you as a priest, director etc I see humans .that are willing to collaborate and work together to make a positive change that future generations can enjoy“
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
“ Behind your titles and the role of each one of you as a priest, director etc I see humans .that are willing to collaborate and work together to make a positive change that future generations can enjoy“
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
The sun is ready to set and we are ready to go.
“ Thank you for coming from so far away daughter of Zeus” - “Thank you for inviting me to your paradise”
One more time I confirm to myself that regardless of our social status, humans, we have more in common than what we normally think. We just need to be open to each other. The only prerequisite is to be humble and no to fear or judge the other, the different. I admire Don Francisco. He reminds me of my grandfather, a self taught artist of oranges, lemons and olive trees.
He knew so well how to work the earth and nourish it to give its fruit and how to be fair to his community and to work hard to help his family.
Few days before he departed for the celestial paradise, he was in a memory search mode. He was searching for the life paradise he lived and I was lucky to be next to him at the moment he murmured:
“I want to go to the fields, to the nature, to find my friends”
Thank you Don Francisco and Doña Frida for reminding me where paradise is.
Χριστίνα
“ Thank you for coming from so far away daughter of Zeus” - “Thank you for inviting me to your paradise”
One more time I confirm to myself that regardless of our social status, humans, we have more in common than what we normally think. We just need to be open to each other. The only prerequisite is to be humble and no to fear or judge the other, the different. I admire Don Francisco. He reminds me of my grandfather, a self taught artist of oranges, lemons and olive trees.
He knew so well how to work the earth and nourish it to give its fruit and how to be fair to his community and to work hard to help his family.
Few days before he departed for the celestial paradise, he was in a memory search mode. He was searching for the life paradise he lived and I was lucky to be next to him at the moment he murmured:
“I want to go to the fields, to the nature, to find my friends”
Thank you Don Francisco and Doña Frida for reminding me where paradise is.
Χριστίνα