On the way to Chio.
It was during the time that I was travelling as a freelance artist on Tenerife. Over a period of two and a half years, I lived, housed, or slept in twenty-seven different places. Without money, but with a bus ticket worth 30€, given by a Finnish friend/soulmate, I hit the road again, this time to Chio, in the south of the island. As I arrived in the village, it was already dark and I did not know exactly where the finca was, where I wanted to go. But the people on the island are very helpful, so I confidently went to the supermarket of the little village. A supermarket here is something like a social meeting place, as well as a substitute for the local newspaper. Soon I found there two señoras, mother and daughter, who were obviously related to the dueño (owner) of the finca. Here, everyone is somehow related to each other.

Adventurous.
The two ladies were immediately ready to accompany me. The way to the Finca was quite adventurous and dangerous in the dark. They grabbed a flashlight, took two of my bags and walked ahead of me. Once arrived, they said goodbye and wished me good luck. I was happy to find some candles there, because there was neither gas nor electricity. But I had running water, only cold water. To cook food or coffee, I had to make a fire outside. So it was important to collect wood every day, which fortunately could be found in abundance. To be able to make coffee in the morning when getting up, without having first to search for combustible material, is a form of luxury. The first three days I lived off what I found in the kitchen, macaroni and spaghetti with tomato sauce. The next three days I ate bread, which became drier from day to day. Something clearly had to happen because I had no idea how long this adventure would last.

A silver necklace.
The only valuable thing I had was a silver necklace with a moonstone in a silver border. A birthday present from a friend from India who had a shop on the island. I wanted to know where I could sell this chain and logically I asked at the supermarket. People looked at me a little strangely, and I got the good advice if I needed money to report to the social services. I continued my search until a nice girl who worked at the post office told me that a shop in the next town was buying jewellery. It was now too late to take the bus and be home before dark.

Waiting.
The next day I set off early, my stomach growled. The Lagartos or Geckos had eaten my last piece of dry bread that night. It was my own fault, I should have hid it better. It took forever for a bus to get here. Just as I began to doubt, my patience was rewarded to good fortune. Soon I had arrived in the town and found the shop. The owner was not there yet and the girl who was employed in the shop could not decide on any purchases. So I had to wait. Nearby stood a wooden bench, there I sat down in the sun. Fortunately, I always have a bottle of water with me. It became later and later. The shop closed in the afternoon and was reopened after two hours. On the island the people take a siesta. My last two cigarettes, I had smoked some time ago and I longed for a cup of coffee. Around five o'clock in the afternoon, the owner finally entered the shop, I immediately followed her.

Tears in my eyes.
I put my necklace on the counter and asked if she was interested in buying it. She answered resolutely no and told me that the people on the island didn't like these stones very much. Tears came to my eyes and I explained to her that I hadn't eaten almost anything for three days and I only asked for 20 euros. She reached for the chain, gave me 20 euros and came behind the counter to hug me. I felt like a little child. As she held me in her arms, she said, shhh niña, no llura (ssst girl, don't cry). She briefly disappeared into a small kitchen to make coffee for me and sent a woman, who was also in the shop, to a nearby supermarket. A little later this lady came back with a plastic bag with two delicious fresh rolls, a pack of ham, cheese and a big bottle of fruit juice. All for me. Again I got tears in my eyes, moved by so much kindness and love. But now I was really in a rush. I hurried to the bus stop, because it was getting dark soon. Overjoyed I nibbled from my bread and cheese while waiting for the bus. How a simple roll can taste heavenly. Many people don't know this feeling anymore, I thought and I had to laugh at myself. I am and remain an optimist under all conditions.

Even the ham was tasty.
When I arrived home, I even enjoyed the ham, although I hadn't eaten any meat or sausages in five years. That evening I enjoyed the silence that reigned here in a different way. No radio, no TV, just the soft ringing of bamboo wind chimes next to the door. I made a cosy fire in the fireplace, took a few candles and began to write down my thoughts, which I later handed over to my son.

No matter what.
On the weekend I got a visit from a Canarian friend. He brought something tasty to eat and a bottle of wine. We had a great day together. He loved to be on the finca in nature. It realy is a very nice place when you don't have to go hungry. On a clear day you can see the island La Gomera, an indescribable view. The next day I got a call late in the evening from my friend who owns the finca. I had to come back to Puerto de la Cruz the next morning. He had organized something very good for us as artists, a new atelier. I liked to know a litte more about it. He just said, "You'll see when you get back, but come soon." I was happy to return to civilization. Ten days of silence were really enough for me. Many insights were given to me during this time. Some of them I had written down for my son: 'Whatever happens to you, in the end nothing happens to you. After all, you are still the same soul, only much richer in experience. And that's why we came to earth to learn from our experiences. So we develop ourselves spiritually. Things are important when we make them important. It all depends only on our perspectives and reactions to life'. As I handed him my thoughts later, he said: ´Thanks mum, that is something for my treasure chest.´ With pack and bag I hit the road again the next morning, curious about my next adventures.

Tenerife

April 2008.