THE WELL
July 23, 2010
It was a day like no other, our house had been finished, the last of Tejas (roof tile), had been placed on our house. Our new dome had been completed, not more living in a house made of palms. Although it was fascinating to living in those because of the refreshening experience, although at the time we did not think it was so refreshening. It was rather a sign of poverty, yet wealthy in experiences, adventures, freedom, and wild imaginations. Those houses were cool enough in the summer time, and during the rainy seasons, maintained the water from penetrating inside and wetting out our belongings. This brings yet another perfect example of the simplicity of life way back when.
The bed frames were made of something like a 2x4, and then lined all around with pugas, a nail like U that served as a way for us to weave in the ropes. We carefully and very delicately weaved the “boxsprings,” to a point in which it was tight enough so that when laying on it you could not create a dent in it. The mattress consisted of a Petate* (a mat weaved of –TULE-a form of sweetgrass, similar to that used here in SC for sweetgrass baskets and such). In those beds, our innocent dreams were captured and swiftly they were taken into the darkness as if a desperate fairy was in such hurry to collect the pure dreams of those sleeping angels. There in such comfort and peace we slept, with no worries in our minds, our little bodies carefully lined up, and one by one in those beds of perfect simplicity.
Oh, those were the days of yore, where our feet trailed off into the fields of impatient desire for wild adventures. It was on such a day of careful decision making that we decided, more so under the influence of our older brother and older cousin, to dig out a well. It was one of our travesias (pranks) that took a bit more examination and collaborative work. If successful, it would mean we wouldn’t have to walk that far to get cantaros* (water jugs) of water from our neighbors distant well. It would also mean that we could simply have an easier shore to going to do the dishes and laundry.
Our mission was set, we would start the excavation early in the morning and go all throughout the day until we could see that our progress was deep enough. Victor and Nilson, older brother and cousin would dig and we would pull the buckets of dirt. One bucket at a time, we worked hard. We stood there looking in at what the well looked as thus far... it wasquite laborous... day in and day out we worked until it was deep enough and moist began to appear, where sand and water created the perfect mixture... our excitment was heard as little screams in unison praised our hard efforts and patience... our joy rang our in little laughter and signs of relief! Victor and the rest of us had done quite the work.
The well was completed, no more running in the heat of the sun to get water jugs or to go do dishes and rush on a stormy evening. No more dangers and definately no more terrorizing falls from tied up weeds – “no man’s lands” the mines of our war battles of little Fuenteses vs the Cousin troops! (Tony, you’ll appreciate the escovilla knots!).
Guys if you need to add any other details to this, I know i have a vague memory of this, but I do remember getting in the well and digging some myself... and also thinking I was going to drown if water started coming up fast!
*log onto wikipedia for a more accurate definition of what a PETATE is.
*Cantaros – it’s an instrument used to store water or transport liquids/grains... see wikipedia for more information.
-Maria Fuentes Viera - story to be edited and pictures and diagrams tbc...
July 23, 2010
It was a day like no other, our house had been finished, the last of Tejas (roof tile), had been placed on our house. Our new dome had been completed, not more living in a house made of palms. Although it was fascinating to living in those because of the refreshening experience, although at the time we did not think it was so refreshening. It was rather a sign of poverty, yet wealthy in experiences, adventures, freedom, and wild imaginations. Those houses were cool enough in the summer time, and during the rainy seasons, maintained the water from penetrating inside and wetting out our belongings. This brings yet another perfect example of the simplicity of life way back when.
The bed frames were made of something like a 2x4, and then lined all around with pugas, a nail like U that served as a way for us to weave in the ropes. We carefully and very delicately weaved the “boxsprings,” to a point in which it was tight enough so that when laying on it you could not create a dent in it. The mattress consisted of a Petate* (a mat weaved of –TULE-a form of sweetgrass, similar to that used here in SC for sweetgrass baskets and such). In those beds, our innocent dreams were captured and swiftly they were taken into the darkness as if a desperate fairy was in such hurry to collect the pure dreams of those sleeping angels. There in such comfort and peace we slept, with no worries in our minds, our little bodies carefully lined up, and one by one in those beds of perfect simplicity.
Oh, those were the days of yore, where our feet trailed off into the fields of impatient desire for wild adventures. It was on such a day of careful decision making that we decided, more so under the influence of our older brother and older cousin, to dig out a well. It was one of our travesias (pranks) that took a bit more examination and collaborative work. If successful, it would mean we wouldn’t have to walk that far to get cantaros* (water jugs) of water from our neighbors distant well. It would also mean that we could simply have an easier shore to going to do the dishes and laundry.
Our mission was set, we would start the excavation early in the morning and go all throughout the day until we could see that our progress was deep enough. Victor and Nilson, older brother and cousin would dig and we would pull the buckets of dirt. One bucket at a time, we worked hard. We stood there looking in at what the well looked as thus far... it wasquite laborous... day in and day out we worked until it was deep enough and moist began to appear, where sand and water created the perfect mixture... our excitment was heard as little screams in unison praised our hard efforts and patience... our joy rang our in little laughter and signs of relief! Victor and the rest of us had done quite the work.
The well was completed, no more running in the heat of the sun to get water jugs or to go do dishes and rush on a stormy evening. No more dangers and definately no more terrorizing falls from tied up weeds – “no man’s lands” the mines of our war battles of little Fuenteses vs the Cousin troops! (Tony, you’ll appreciate the escovilla knots!).
Guys if you need to add any other details to this, I know i have a vague memory of this, but I do remember getting in the well and digging some myself... and also thinking I was going to drown if water started coming up fast!
*log onto wikipedia for a more accurate definition of what a PETATE is.
*Cantaros – it’s an instrument used to store water or transport liquids/grains... see wikipedia for more information.
-Maria Fuentes Viera - story to be edited and pictures and diagrams tbc...
Written - Friday, July 23, 2010 at 5:04pm
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