KW-27 In praise of the choice to live
Also, rain dancing.
You may remember from last week’s newsletter, I asked if anyone wanted to come and help heft oak trees in the forest. I would like to use this week’s newsletter to introduce you to Vicente and Ema.
They first came to the barracks as volunteers almost exactly three years ago. We spoke on the phone, or on zoom, more likely, found that we were all compatible and that they would probably have a good time here, and arranged some dates. A couple of days before they were due to arrive, they asked if they could bring their rabbit with them.
They both like doing strongman / strongwoman stuff, which is mostly humping heavy wood around. Wood is surprisingly heavy sometimes. I love having them here, and by coming this weekend and helping in the forest, they have put themselves in high contention for two places in the extremely limited post-collapse barracks community!
But more importantly, I want to tell a very brief part of their story1. Because it’s really inspirational.
Youth unemployment in the south of Spain has been staggeringly high for years now. Both Ema and Vicente have good degrees from good universities. They speak something like 5 languages between them. They aren’t precious about what work they do, but they do want to work.
At the end of last year, they both lost their jobs within a few weeks of each other and, after a short stay in hospital for Vicente which didn’t help much, they found themselves with a mortgage, no work, and sky high stress levels. With no immediate prospects in Andalusia, they widened the net and potted jobs in Belgium.
Of all places, Belgium. The place which is humorously famous for there being absolutely nothing famous about it.
There is so much to think about here, it makes my head spin. Freedom of movement and freedom to work anywhere within the EU is amazing. I am a migrant myself, don’t forget. When actually choice was more important than the illusion of control. Spain being so damn hot that you pretty much just gotta get out of there. The economic reasons for Spain’s current state and the rather glorious cultural languorousness that suffuses the country, especially the south.
But that is all more blog post than newsletter. I can already feel myself crossing the line!
Mostly, I want to record my absolute admiration for the two of them. To up and move a 24 hour car ride away for a better life, almost at a moment’s notice, to a country where they do not speak the language, I find totally inspirational. I flipping love this pair, and am grateful to know them.
Also, they are really good at lumping wood in 30 degree heat for two days solid!
This week, we shall:
Make nettle fertiliser. This is not simply “make nettle fertiliser”. There is a lot to be done in the run up to it
Start to make pretty things out of oak fetched from the forest. Mallets, hobbit boxes, models of piggies, toys …
Weed, water, mow. With less mowing if it continues to not rain.
It is possible that we might be harvesting onions.
Indulge in some jam making
I’d like to start with the biogas digester, but I probably need some more bits. The job for this week is to find out what more bits I need!
And feed pigs. Talking of which, it’s probably about time to go and tend to the porcine people, so I shall leave it here and go tend to the trotters
Until next week, much love
your Pirate Ben
xoxo
And finally, a question for the comments. If I was going to make something small and pretty out of solid oak, what would you want me to make? It can be useful, aesthetic, or just plain silly. All are good qualities around here!
Yes, I asked their permission first!
Carved fruit and acorns
Maybe something for jewelry 💍