The Pilar

The pilar is a watering hole. There are underground streams running throughout these hills. Presumably where the water is close to the surface they have put one these pilars.

Some are covered like this one and some are open. There's a tap that comes out of the wall and is constantly running, this is where you can get your drinking water.

This man arrived with 2x5 litre plastic bottles and was putting one down to fill it.

The water that isn't collected spills out into a large trough and when mules, dogs or herds of sheep or goats pass by they can drink from the trough or stand in it, as is their want. The troughs also contain frogs and other such water creatures. I know of 6 in the village.

Everyone has their favourite pilar. My neighbour walks up the hill to her favourite pilar even though there are closer pilars. People will arrive in cars with dozens of bottles and stock up.

The one time I tried water from a pilar I was struck down for three days. I couldn't move from my bed and felt like death warmed up. It could have been something else but I don't think so.