Local life

We cannot believe we have already spent three weeks in Guisando. Christmas is only a few days away and it is destined to be a busy time. With several bank holidays coming, friends and family will have more time to meet. So far, we have not had the opportunity to see many of them as they have been buried in their daily lives – like we used to be! – .

In the meantime, we have enjoyed Guisando. Doing what? Good question. Our time has been very productive cleaning Dora and the house from top to bottom, we have done some repairs, pruned the vine in the courtyard and got rid of junk in the house.

We have also spent quality time together making the most of the peace and slow lifestyle of this village. Sometimes simple things you get to enjoy more in life; those afternoons when Gary and I, with nothing else to do for the rest of the day, sit in front of the fire and watch a film, read, or simply stare at the timber burning, better than any film.

Occasionally, we take a walk when freezing cold, the cloud can envelope the village. It gets so foggy you can’t see more than ten metres. The village becomes deserted. No one would dare to go out, too miserable. Only Gary and I would, so lovely.

How much you enjoy something depends on your perception, your attitude and the time you have. We love Guisando because it is temporary, we appreciate its lifestyle because we lack it back home, we get touched by the kindness and openness of its people because they contrast with the coldness and independent lifestyle back home. It is not that we dislike the latter. One lifestyle is not better than the other. They are just different. We are lucky enough to enjoy both.

The locals keep telling us we should leave the UK and live in Guisando. Not quite the point, though. What we feel about this village is too precious to spoil it by moving here permanently. At least not in the short-term. We may revise this decision when we retire.

Guisando doesn’t offer a great deal for people of our age. Retail jobs are out of the question. There are already three food shops plus a butcher, and they are already too many if you ask me. It would be a financial suicide to open a bar. The are currently ten, one bar per thirty inhabitants. Obviously, the rate decreases during holiday times and at the weekends, but not much.

What other things could we do? Well, we could either work in the farm or for the town hall in the administration or as a ranger, looking after the national park of Sierra de Gredos. But, with a village of 300 habitants, the job prospective here is pretty limited. Besides, you have to wait until someone dies to take their job. For example, there is only one policeman. I have not known any other in the time we have owned the house.

So, in the meantime, let’s enjoy Guisando as it currently is, a simple, modest, rural and isolated place. This is precisely what makes it so special.

We have commented that my parents love coming to Guisando, especially my father. By now, he knows every one in the village, and every one knows him. Here I am not Susana, I am Julian’s daughter! Mind you, he has always been a social animal and at his 67 years of age, he continues to do what he is good at. For years, we have encouraged him to put himself forward as a candidate to run the village and at least he would have something to do with his time. Also, as locals, we could have someone of influence.

He didn’t go for it though, too much politics, I guess. Also, I am not sure my mother supported this idea. On the contrary, he put himself forward as a candidate to help run the retired people association.

A panoramic of the place.

My father happily sapping a glass of wine.

Although he is only a member of the board, he takes his job very seriously, he looks like the president. We find it hilarious.

He has resurrected the only event in the village for the old people: The Bingo. Bingo used to take place every Saturday in the old people’s bar. This bar is subsidized by the association to offer retired people a cheap place to come and spend their free time. But scandal in the village. Before my father came on board, this place was run by a miserable and unfriendly guy, really impolite, he used to put people off. But worse he turned the heating off to save money. Bingo was therefore, not very popular. Gradually, the event was suspended due to lack of interest. Locals found themselves with no entertainment at the weekends.

Everybody wanted the bingo back but not in that place. Suddenly my father comes along to put things in order. He didn’t faff around. The guy was sacked. He was replaced by a lovely and friendly coupled.

Bingo was brought back to life, so were the old people, just . Last Saturday, we popped in to find out what all this fuzz is about. Hilarious. The bar was packed. The silence overwhelming. There is a lot at stake. Playing requires lots of concentration. I am not sure if it is good for bar sales, as they don’t seem to drink that much. Too serious. Wouldn’t want to affect one’s chances of winning! And the prizes; sugar, rice and pasta. My father has to hand out the prizes and check no one is cheating. The responsibility! And the winnings are really starting to clog up our cupboards!

SM.