August: Peace, Shanti, Wa Salaam, Shalom
Image by Eleonore Weil
Some of my readers may not be aware that southern Europe shuts down in the month of August.
Great cities like Paris, Rome, or Madrid, where I live and work, are deserted in August except for the tourists.
Many years ago, in my painter days, I spent two Augusts in Madrid painting exhibitions scheduled for October. It was a perfect way to get a lot of creative work done.
I was totally alone: no one I knew was in town, there was nobody to call, nobody to see, nothing to do, except work...
No distractions, most bars and restaurants closed, the streets deserted, no traffic.
A city of nearly five million people: a ghost town shimmering in the Castillian heat.
Almost everyone is on vacation.
Employees here get one full month vacation a year, with a vacation bonus of an extra month's pay (there is another bonus at Christmas too, they call this the "catorce pagas", 14 paydays) and almost everyone takes (or is forced to take) their month off in August.
Those, who like me, are free lancers, self-employed, with many irons in the fire, are simply unemployed in August and must make provisions throughout the year for this unpaid vacation.
This year, as I usually do, I am going up to spend August in a cabin I have in the Guadarrama mountains. We have solar electricity, running water (if I choose to run up the hill from the well with it) and the high mountain valley where it is situated blocks cellphone reception.
Internet? LOL.
Peace, Shanti, Wa Salaam, Shalom.
Deer, wild boar and assorted reptiles abound in the surrounding forest and, since it is common grazing land, there are free range cattle wandering though it and even wild horses that roam free in the woods until the spare stallions are caught and sold for their meat.
Eagles, hawks and giant vultures circle, glide and swoop through the cloudless, blue skies.
There, during the month of August, I will -- si Díos quiere, Inshallah, God willing -- lie, sit, sprall, under a tree and read and read and read and also block out some ideas for a book I'm going to write -- si Díos quiere, Inshallah, God willing.
So, this will probably be my last post till September.
I always feel bad about this because every time I take a month off, some faithful readers drift away and don't come back.
But for those who like what I write, I promise -- si Díos quiere, Inshallah, God willing -- to be back full of piss and vinegar and fresh ideas in a month's time.
PS. To decorate my home page for people who stumble upon it during this month of abstinence, I am hanging some of the work of my lady wife, Eleonore Weil, inlined from her webpage. Enjoy!
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Sounds perfect David. Tschuss - Miguel
July 31, 2009 2:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Can't wait for the book, As-Salamu Alaykum.
July 31, 2009 3:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
The month-long vacation is only the tip of the iceberg: you get that working at El Rey Hamburguesa. Other jobs and seniority just add to the agony weeks at a time, sometimes even in the winter!
The European socialist terror regime strikes again...forcing people to not work for months at a time, concentrating on something other than creating wealth for the wealthy! The horror!
Toodles, enjoy your forced non-labour camp!
July 31, 2009 4:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ciao, David.
July 31, 2009 8:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Enjoy your time off...you will be missed, and I promise you won't lose me.
July 31, 2009 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I suggest walking water, David, especially uphill.
Enjoy August.
See you in September.
July 31, 2009 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Be well, David. Looking forward to what you have for us in September!
July 31, 2009 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
What a delightful story. A picture of Eden.
I must however render unto you the Dayly Line of the Day Award for this here TPMCafe Site given to all of you from all of me for this gem:
We have solar electricity, running water (if I choose to run up the hill from the well with it) and the high mountain valley where it is situated blocks cellphone reception.
As a child I stayed at a cabin with no electricity or 'conveniences'. We also ran to the well for our water.
July 31, 2009 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Enjoy your time off. It sounds wonderful. And don't worry, the faithful will remain true.
July 31, 2009 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Have a great time, David.
August 1, 2009 1:53 AM | Reply | Permalink