The grass is always greener

Thirty years ago I had the wonderful chance of visiting the south of Germany, in particular a little village called Oberammergau.When I arrived there, I felt absolutely shocked by the beauty of the place, it was a littlevillage surrounded by high mountains covered with the tallest trees that I had never seen in my entire life, the path for the walkers was in perfect condition as people were very careful to respect public spaces, just like home, ha! I thought. I remember that when I arrived there I felt incredibly happy, all my body was suspended in a state of paralysed feeling and I just couldnt believe how lucky I was to be in such an extraordinary place. At the same time, I felt very little and very insignificant, being there surrounded by this exuberant nature that gave me the impression it was looking at me as if it were examining myself in a certain way.This trip was granted from the European Union, and we had to contribute in the construction and maintenance of a natural path, through the mountains, for walkers. Each morning, we had to go to the forest and help the workers with the task, and I have never enjoyed a job more than I did this particular one. As we were walking, I could contemplate, my eyes couldnt be more open; smell, my nostrils couldnt catch more flavour; and I could hear the innocent twittering of the birds, the peaceful mooing of the grazing cows and the relaxing clip- clop of the horses, moving their horsetail as we passed by. The whole scenario was perceived as being totally unreal, and, to be honest, from time to time I thought that I was really dreaming and I just didnt want to wake up from this incredible reverie! This trip was my first time abroad, and coming from Massanassa where the only thing I had observed was the ravine which was covered with weeds and dirtiness, my state of astonishment was absolutely understandable.

Silvia Moreno