I have got used to the slow sway of life here in Anatuya.  I have never been a very good sleeper but I find here I look forward to the days when I can have a siesta with greedy delight. Mornings are often spent  drinking coffee in the shade watching the world go by.

I can’t help notice that my frown lines have all but disappeared. Life is pretty good!

 This little dog decided that a shelf in the local library was the best place for his siesta!

The other morning I was having coffee in the town square with my friend Juanita when a gentleman approached her. He remembered her from his childhood but had not seen her for many years. Juanita explained to me that the man’s great uncle had been her neighbour when she was a child and had saved her life when she was five years old.

At the time, Juanita and her family were living in the countryside about 10kms from town. Juanita had a pet goat called Gomez whom she loved very much.  Juanita and Gomez went everywhere together, the little goat attached to Juanita by lead. One day they wandering in the bush looking for food for Gomez to eat and Juanita felt a sudden rush of air against her skirt and from nowhere a puma appeared and leaped on the tiny goat, instantly snapping its tiny neck.  Having gained its prize the cat turned to face Juanita, challenging her to approach it. Juanita started yelling at the top of her voice and the neighbour, passing by on his horse heard her screams and rode quickly to the little house where she lived to alert her parents.

Father grabbed his gun and the family headed into the bush following the little girl’s screams. Shots were fired into the air and the puma fled. Poor Juanita needed a short slap to break her hysteria and was whisked home for a warm bath and a hot chocolate for the shock. The next day Juanita begged her parents to show her where they had buried her darling pet so she could plant a cross and lay flowers. It was only several years later that she discovered the family had in fact barbecued the little goat and eaten it that night!

And so the stories continue until the morning turns into lunch….

Lila – Juanita’s current pet in Juanita’s shopping basket – her favourite mode of transport