Grapes and Sardines

Fresh sardines, vegetables, and lively company. Small portions, but plenty of em'. Lively company, showing what they do best... feast.

The sardines remind me of a difference in our cultures. When we think of them, we see small fish in tiny roll open cans. Here they are bigger meal fish. They are not packed tightly into a convenient, cost efficient container, they are cooked, on spot, kept fresh salt, not frozen.

Things are slower here, quality, not production, is exalted. History, not progression or future is the main topic, even when the politics is lambasted, politicians are rhetorically given ball noses and balloon animals. But one thing is for sure, the table is where it's at.

As the oils soak into my bread, my thoughts sink into the bonds made over a meal. The food is delicious, most indigenous for the area. Community, communion, is had over the freshest meal I may have ever experienced. So far, this is also one of the most fresh experiences I have had yet.

This family has taken us in, unguarded, like the connoisseur of a fine wine, we are blessed by their generosity.  They have been our guides thus far. A light into the tunnel of this culture. We are indebted to their loving spirit.

Full from the meal, we see a part of who they are. Full of laughter and love for family. Family seems to be strongly defined more by shared experience than by blood. Friends are had for life, history is their future. People is their progress. Human bonds are their economy.

One thing is for sure, legalism is lost on them. It is a 'four letter word'. Indulgence is had. The sweet Wine of grace, that is neither harshly legalistic or loosely without consideration,  is the lifeblood of the meal of life here. The Wine we drink that brings life to the meal was bought at an expensive price, ye, we the guests at the table, partake for free. The grace given from a cup overflown with the sweetest Wine brings newness, joy, refreshment, life.