At 56, Rufo continues to dwell within the farmhouse that his great-grandfather constructed a century in the past within the Sierra de Cazorla, in Jaén. He has by no means lived wherever else, he does not have a automobile and his closest neighbor is an hour away. Even so, this hermit is the least lonely in the complete province as a result of there’s not a day that he doesn’t have guests.
“Now a German has simply left who has spent two weeks right here,” says Rufo, whose identify he inherited from his grandmother Rufina. Miguel, as his actual identify is, has been opening the doorways of his home to guests from all around the world for 20 years. “People from all international locations have come to see me,” he informed NIUS.
From the United States to Korea, passing by way of Germany or France, there are already a whole bunch of people that have stayed with him in his household dwelling. “I solely communicate Spanish… and common,” jokes Rufo, who all the time finds a approach to perceive himself along with his friends.
Rufo’s life surprises anybody who visits it as a result of it appears taken from one other period. He provides himself from his backyard, the meat of his animals and the eggs of the chickens full his weight loss plan. He though he sometimes he goes right down to some city and does some procuring. He cooks within the fire and washes the dishes exterior, the place he additionally has a bath that he heats with wooden to clean himself. “You can bathe there even when it is snowing,” he confesses to NIUS.
Rufo’s bathtub.NIUS
Some issues, alternatively, have been modernized. With photo voltaic panels he has managed to have electrical energy and though he already has a cell phone, the protection is at risk each time he strikes… and since Rufo isn’t nonetheless, finding him by cellphone is nearly unimaginable. “I even have Internet,” he says, “however solely on my cell.”
Rufo has sheep and goats. Twenty years in the past he additionally had cows and was a transhumant, like his father. “We used to not depart the province of Jaén, at most to Córdoba,” explains Rufo. However, like many different ranchers he needed to give it up. “It wasn’t worthwhile, the farms have been very costly and more often than not I needed to feed them.”
finish of transhumance
Remember with nostalgia a practice that’s being misplaced within the mountains. “20 or 30 herds handed by way of Burunchel,” says Rufo, “now 5 – 6 go at most.” The identical occurs in Villacarrillo. “Before, 10 or 12 herds handed by way of there,” and considered one of them was his. “Now solely two go,” he laments.
Although he stopped transhumance, he stayed with the animals and due to the visits he can maintain them. “There isn’t any cash concerned,” says Rufo. They simply make a commerce. He affords lodging and meals and in return whoever comes helps him work the land and maintain the cattle.
Rufus with a few of his guests.NIUS
Each go to has an intention. “One got here from Madrid to be taught to be a pastor,” recollects Rufo. She stayed with him for 2 years and now lives in Lorca, the place she has a flock of sheep. “Others come only for nature,” like a pair who just lately got here from Catalonia “and have been amazed.”
The guests
Young folks normally go to him, some with no expertise within the discipline. “People regulate very nicely,” says Rufo. In 20 years welcoming guests, solely two left early. “A Korean lady left me a observe that I do not perceive,” he informed NIUS. The different was a man who could not stand the job.
“Most of the time right here is strolling within the mountains,” he tells NIUS, and never everybody can. Once an American was delighted to be in his home, however each time he needed to work he hid. He is the one individual that Rufo has kicked out of his home.
Most of the guests, nevertheless, depart his home delighted and plenty of even return to go to him through the years. And so, removed from every part, this rancher who went from wandering to hermit started to satisfy folks the day he was left unemployed.
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