Hi all:
As you know, I’ve been away, somewhere where I didn’t have regular access to internet, for the last few weeks. It was time to go back to the hamlet in Northwest Spain (a region called Galicia. Those of you familiar with the Camino de Santiago will be familiar with it) where my Dad was born, Paradaseca, to lay his ashes to rest next to his parents.
I hadn’t been there for 25 years or so, and as you can imagine it was a bit of an experience. Part a trip back in time, part a feeling that everything had changed only for everything (or nearly) to remain the same.
The place where my Dad was born is very rural and has seen a lot of emigration, where plenty of the inhabitants moved to big cities, within Spain or elsewhere. As a result there are places where only older people are left and places totally empty. Plenty of very cheap property although sometimes the local facilities are somewhat limited.
I found this article discussing the phenomenon, that I thought was interesting.
I plan on a series of posts (and possibly even some videos, once I’m back home and have a better connection) but in the meantime, I thought I’d share some pictures.
As I’ve told you, I hope more posts will follow. Ah, and although I didn’t have as much time as I anticipated (meeting relatives you haven’t seen in many years makes for long conversations) I did manage to read quite a few books, so there will be plenty of reviews to come.
Thanks for your patience, for reading, and you I’m sure you still remember what to do: like, share, comment, and if you fancy reading the article, CLICK!
71 replies on “I’m back! Paradaseca, #Galicia, Housing and other things.”
Welcome back Olga. Thanks for the photos. It’s a beautiful place. The pictures give the feeling that it’s one step outside “real time”… Mega hugs!
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Thanks Teagan. You’re right. We’d go for walks every morning and evening and we’d meet the same people. After a while you knew everybody, including the Army guys posted nearby to keep a close check on forest fires.
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Beautiful!!!!
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Thanks so much. It hadn’t rained for a while but usually it’s even greener than that. 🙂
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Welcome back. The photos are beautiful. It must have been strange to be back.
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Thanks very much. Glad to be back. Yes, it was very strange. Although it was never really home, it’s true that you can’t go back home again. And even weirder being there without my father.
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Welcome home! You were missed 😃
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Thanks so much! Happy to be back in internet land!
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It can’t have been an easy time for you. Despite seeing so many relatives.again the occasion for the visit was sad. The photographs you took are beautiful. I’m sorry some places are becoming such ghost towns with economic migrants leaving their homes.
It’s a delight to have you back again.I don’t know whether you’re just in a more accessible place in Spain or whether you’re back in the UK, but I wish you much happiness wherever you are.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx.
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You’re right, David. It was odd and difficult, more so for my mother, as my memories of the place where much older and my parents didn’t even have the little cabin where they were installed now last time I visited. I’m in Barcelona at the moment but going back to the UK on Thursday. My mother is coming with me for a bit, so I’ll be back but not full steam yet. It’s nice to meet all my blogging friends again. Be well and big hugs!
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Great pictures. I love the stone house with the room spanning the gap. Welcome back.
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Thanks so much. Nice to be back. I hope to share a few more pictures of the place in the coming weeks.
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Welcome back, Olga! I’m sure it was a difficult and gratifying visit. Looking forward to more photos and stories. Cheers…
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Thanks so much, JP. Nice to be back. More stories coming up soon. 🙂
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What a lovely treat to begin the day. Lovely to have you back and to begin to learn about your home and ancestry. Spain is a beautiful country and this is an area I have driven through….so glorious. It is sad that so many of the young have had to move for economic reasons….which seems to be a worldwide story…..It’s definitely my kind of place, and somewhere I would love to paint. Janet. xx
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Thanks so much, Janet. I had been talking to a friend of mine before I went and she suggested setting up a retreat for writers, running courses, etc, there. And while I was there I kept thinking there are great places for painters, writers, people wishing to commune with nature and go trekking…And very cheap location (and a plentiful supply of vegetables and blackberries…) Have a magical week!
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I would love it……oh yes please:)x
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We have something to talk about when we meet in London…Enjoy Portugal, Janet!
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Indeed….just returned and had a wonderful time…next few days will be catching up…Janet. xx
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I just saw your post. I hope you’ve cleared your mind and thanks for the magical hummingbirds
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[…] Origen: I’m back! Paradaseca, #Galicia, Housing and other things. […]
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Woweee – looking forward to reading and looking
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Thanks, Martie! ♥
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You went back in time in more than one way, Olga. A beautiful timeless place …
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Thanks so much Jenny and Anita!
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Reblogged this on Anita & Jaye Dawes.
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Welcome back, Olga! These photographs are intriguing. It’s odd how near-abandoned rural areas are so enchanting. Looking forward to more. xx
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Thanks, Sarah! I’ll keep them coming!
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Nice to have you back, Olga. It seems the good things about your trip were able to balance the sad reason for it. I read the link, such a shame about Galicia. I hope that some Spanish people step in to revitalise the region, as it would be a pity to see it becoming yoga centres, retreats, and a place for second-home Brits.
Such history, in danger of being consigned to the very same.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Pete. You’re right. Talking to some of my relatives they recalled when some of the fields used to produce food for whole families and now they are abandoned. And you can’t even give them away! People (and animals) still eat so one has to wonder. I’m useless at growing things, although talking to my uncle Eloy about the honey got me thinking.
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You didn’t show a pic of you herding sheep Olga, I’m quite disappointed. 😦 Lovely pics and a sad tale of the abandonment of rural areas.
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Unfortunately I didn’t have the camera with me that day… And to be fair to the sheep, they knew where they were going. I think they were herding me!
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Come on Olga, you’re among friends here, you just didn’t want us to see you in that peasant blouse, flowing skirt and bare feet. 😉
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Bare feet? If you aren’t a goat the terrain it’s trying even with good walking shoes! What a bucolic image though!
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My imagination gets the better of me sometimes Olga.🐐🐑
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Yes, the bucolic life… Have a lovely weekend!
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It doesn’t come anymore bucolic than herding sheep in the hills. 🙂 My weekend will be awesome. 🙂
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♥
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❤ 🙂
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Fascinating photos…looking forward to your posts. ☺
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Thanks so much. Nice to be back and catch up!
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Olga has been on a personal journey this summer and has also taken a few steps back in time to a wonderful part of Spain..more to come.
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Thanks so much, Sally!
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Welcome back – we missed 🙂 ❤
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Thanks so much, Christoph. Glad to be back and very happy to see you’ve been busy with your writing. Good luck!
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Olga, nice to have you back. What a difficult time you shared with your mother. In a way, you made the trip easier for her. Family is important to share those sad and happy times in life. What a tranquil, peaceful place for your father to rest! The photos tell his story. Chryssa
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Thanks so much, Chryssa, for your kind words. I hope so (my mother had more recent memories of my Dad there, and of course we met many people who had heard about his passing). It is a peaceful place for sure. And he’d be happy to be back home with his parents.
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Welcome back. I enjoyed seeing your photos, what a beautiful place. The house and church looked lovely as did some of the fantastic views. Hope you and your family are ok. I know it must be a sad time for you all.
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Thanks so much, Edwina. It is a great place and for sure a different experience. It helped provide some closure but there are always the sad moments that catch you unawares.
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Yes I am sure.
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🙂
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I can see you had a great time, Olga. The scenery is fantastic and that tree – what character! Looking forward to more…
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Thanks, Noelle. The tree is astounding. I took plenty of pictures so I’ll be sharing more soon. 🙂
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It looks absolutely beautiful! Looking forward to more posts about it!
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Thanks, Suzie! There will be a few coming up. Take care!
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Welcome back. Looking forward to future posts about your visit home.
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Coming soon. Have a lovely weekend!
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Thanks, Olga. You too.
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See you!
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Beautiful pictures. Welcome back Olga. 🙂
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Thanks so much. I think we’re in for coffee at Sally’s on Saturday. Can’t wait!
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Me too! ❤
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Welcome back. Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos.
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Thanks so much, Michelle. There should be a few post following on from this one.
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Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
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Hello Olga! Of course I’m happy you’re back. My father was born in Málaga, Spain but he has lived most of his adult life in the USA. We traveled to Spain about 7 years ago and when we visited Málaga he said something similar to what you wrote about your dad’s hometown. There are many immigrants and it also has become a touristic area. However, it is still a very beautiful country and we had a great time. 😀 xx
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Thanks Vashti. It must have been a fascinating experience. Málaga is a lovely place. And very interesting to learn more about your background. Send regards to your Dad.
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Looks like a great rural area…great pictures! Welcome back!
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Thanks, Patrick! I have a few more pictures to share in coming weeks. Looking at the weather here today, it feels as if I’d never left.
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So glad you’re back safe and sound! Lovely pictures of the countryside and older buildings – must have been a most nostalgic yet beautiful visit. ♥♥♥
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Thanks Billy Ray. I’m not sure I quite know what I think about it yet…Ah, I’ve prepared a post about your new novel for next week. Best of luck!
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