IT'S WATER DAY!

It’s water day! Water from the nearby stream is released into each farm’s asequia (a narrow concrete channel) for a short period during the week, and we took advantage of it. Nick and I played campesinos, digging trenches and watering the olive trees, orange trees and greenery on the property; our work included one clever hose trick that fed a line into the stream and pumped out enough water for some desperately dry plantings. Meanwhile, Ron read Rilke on the patio.

Tonight, dinner was on us—Ron made a killer guacamole, and I prepped a salad, couscous (for which I’ve developed an undying affection) and fish we bought in Salobrena (frozen, from Alaska—no fresh fish to be found in the store). Alas, the only knives available couldn’t have cut butter, but we muddled through. I hoped we had enough as everything was closed on Sunday. Brenda—a full-of-life earth mother--arrived first, and we enjoyed drinks and the Alpujarra sport of swatting the bugs that had come to dine on us—it turned into a great party; Rita and Nikki, Helinick and Andy, and us. We wanted to invite everyone, but space was a problem. One highlight of the evening: Helinick instructed us on the workings of the incredibly complicated washing machine, and I fell in love, sort of—he took second helpings, which I always find thrilling.

Tile in Baraka Cafe, Orgiva

We really know how to have fun in the Alpujarra.

Check out the video: https://vimeo.com/70760985