Life is too fast: Chicken and Carregueiros

Today is Saturday, today is the custom for a group of us men to go to Alburitel for lunch. An establishment that only opens at the weekend and only serves bbq chicken, chips, salad, hot crusty bread and olives.

BBQ chicken

Alburitel

Poppies, Alburitel

Oh, I forgot about the wine served loose in a litre jug. Local wine with no additives that flows so well and they don't charge extra for a second or even third jug. I think we had a second jug: but there were six of us. I drew the short straw as I was elected driver so minimised my intake. We returned home and after chatting everybody dispersed.

By chance I found out that the Festa de Divino Espirito Santo was taking place in the village. It happens every year 7 weeks after Easter. The festival dates back to the late 1200/early 1300 when Queen Isabel, later made a Saint, turned roses into bread for the poor. It involves the inauguration of a "juiz" - judge from the village elders who presides over certain events in the village.

Back in 1989/1990 we had spent just over a year living in the area and the village of Carregueiros always brings back happy memories. I entered the cafe Santo Amaro and didn't see Benvida who owned the cafe and I wondered if she had moved on but was assured she would be returning soon. I used to spend a lot of time (mainly drinking😞) with her husband and her father who owned the taberna across the road.

Within a split second she recognised me and we hugged each other. We chatted about different people and I asked about Silvina who owned the little village shop and very small cafe that used to host the old men who met in the afternoons for a game of cards. Yes, the shop still operated and she was still alive.

Benvida and Silvina

I walked through the door and she came towards me with a puzzled face before recognising me. She seemed shorter than I remembered but if anything she looked better with smooth skin and a rosy complexion. Given her hard life she looked good for her 73 years. We talked about people who had died and grandchildren before I went to the "Centro Cultural e Recreativo de Carregueiros" The Cultural and Recreation Centre conjures up visions of post Stalin Russia but it's a focal point for the village.

I had gone to seek out Rafael, who was, and still is, a major influence in the village. It was he who helped form the "Rancho", a folk group within the village and worked hard to improve the centre. I shouldn't single him out as I know a lot of others were involved. Soon I saw Bartolomeo, his brother, Farupa, Lello, José, Christina and so many people who still remembered me. I felt quite humbled.