Location: Monte Castillo, Spain
She shone the light onto the cave wall exposing the ancient drawing. “La cabeza” she said loudly to the group.
Her gaze met mine intently, they were swimming with passion; smiling she whispered softly “the head.”
Her gaze met mine intently, they were swimming with passion; smiling she whispered softly “the head.”
We shared a watery orange juice and croissant for breakfast at the roadside diner. I welcomed the sound of plates clinking in the kitchen, the smell of fresh coffee and the soft hum of strangers conversing. I was sad to leave San Sebastián, it felt premature; I could have easily have spent a week enjoying the turquoise waters and exploring the sea of tapas bars. In another way, I was flooded with excitement. Today we were going to explore the Cuevas de Monte Castillo, genuine cave art from roughly 10,000 BC.
After a mouthwatering lunch at a restaurant perched on the hills of Monte Castillo, we explored the surrounding area stumbling across an old steam-train. The afternoon heat was hypnotizing and we progressed down the banks of a small stream. Gleefully children swam in the water splashing and giggling, the ground was painted with lush grass and we found respite under a tall tree to have a siesta. If Superman had listened closely he would have heard me purring in his arms.
Hours passed and we found ourselves in a dark cave. The damp air of the labyrinth was refreshing from the outside sun and the walls echoed with stalagmites and unknown mysteries. It was absolutely amazing to consider that in the very place I was standing, 150,000 years ago a man (not too different from myself) made the decision to paint a deer or a mammoth on the brown crumbling walls; I felt so grateful. The tour guide however inspired me just as much as the walls that were amongst us. Her eyes were large with excitement and they were flooded with passion as if she was a 4 year old receiving her first bicycle. She whispered to me the translations with a grin irremovable from her beaming face. "That’s what I want…" I had contemplated silently - I want to find a job that I love, that I am passionate about.
I was reminded by the words of Confucius:
After a mouthwatering lunch at a restaurant perched on the hills of Monte Castillo, we explored the surrounding area stumbling across an old steam-train. The afternoon heat was hypnotizing and we progressed down the banks of a small stream. Gleefully children swam in the water splashing and giggling, the ground was painted with lush grass and we found respite under a tall tree to have a siesta. If Superman had listened closely he would have heard me purring in his arms.
Hours passed and we found ourselves in a dark cave. The damp air of the labyrinth was refreshing from the outside sun and the walls echoed with stalagmites and unknown mysteries. It was absolutely amazing to consider that in the very place I was standing, 150,000 years ago a man (not too different from myself) made the decision to paint a deer or a mammoth on the brown crumbling walls; I felt so grateful. The tour guide however inspired me just as much as the walls that were amongst us. Her eyes were large with excitement and they were flooded with passion as if she was a 4 year old receiving her first bicycle. She whispered to me the translations with a grin irremovable from her beaming face. "That’s what I want…" I had contemplated silently - I want to find a job that I love, that I am passionate about.
I was reminded by the words of Confucius:
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life
This whole experience made me reflect on my own life, my motivators and the schooling system in which we are taught basic skills and knowledge. I think what we fail to teach in a conventional schooling system is the necessary life skills to help us progress in life as a functioning and unique adult; negotiation skills, how to think outside the square and how to investigate alternate lifestyle options. A conventional school, career or even life for that matter does not necessarily work for everybody. I think that it is fantastic that this woman managed to pursue her passion and work doing something she was obviously so passionate about!
My dream is to create life where I invest my time into knowledge and creative endeavours. If money was no option, how would you spend your time?
My dream is to create life where I invest my time into knowledge and creative endeavours. If money was no option, how would you spend your time?