One of the highlights of this trip is visiting old friends who moved to Spain in 2004. They have a place in Enguera, a charming village of about 5000 people located about an hour south of Valencia.
They have made a wonderful community of friends; everywhere we went we were introduced to people who know them - from neighbors, to students, to the mayor and the priest who gave us an impromptu tour of a 17th century church (along with stories of how Franco's troops had burned the pews in the middle of the church during the civil war ruining the Baroque paintings).
Don and George - known affectionately in the village as "la paraja" - teach English in their home to people who ask for lessons. It started at first with the owner of the local bodega (winery) who wanted to be able to help his kids who were learning English; over the years they have tutored over 100 locals of all ages- and we met many of them as we walked around town. We were also the beneficiaries of fresh produce, wine, homemade bread and a delicious orange cake - all given to Don y Jorge.
They found after moving to Enguera, that everyone was talking about going to their campo - a place in the country often just outside of town that everyone owns in addition to their place in the village. They often build casitas - know as la casa de perros (a house for the dogs) for code purposes - but the places often have swimming pools and in the heat people live there instead of the village. So Don and George bought their campo where they built a casita and tend to their olive trees. It is a delightful place and we can't wait to come back and help them with their olive harvest.
Until then, we have a bottle of their very own olive oil and wine from the village bodega to remind us of our wonderful visit.
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