Day 7; the good life

Our house
is a very, very, fine house
with two cats dogs in the yard …

(apologies to CSN&Y)

D&V live on the first floor; the ground floor comprises Varnika’s studio and a guest bedroom/bathroom/kitchen.

Like most houses around here, it’s rented and built on reclaimed jungle, about 5 miles from the nearest beach.  We met some of the original inhabitants last year as they tried to move from one side of their territory to the other (see extra).  

Many of the houses in the area are empty or simply unfinished.  Rumour has it that they were built speculatively in anticipation of foreign visitors from certain parts of Europe wanting holiday homes.  They never came. 

D&V have a good life here.  Apart from the dodgy electrics, the not infrequent power cuts and intermittent wifi.

Most mornings, at this time of year, Dan heads off to the beach on his motorbike to surf before breakfast.   He’ll bring us back fresh coffee and bread from Elvis’ bakery, before going to work.  His office is about a mile away.

When Varnika is not painting or making music, she’s working - designing, writing and curating a new contemporary arts magazine.

Last night Elvis the baker and Jonno (owner of the surfing bar where Dan surfs) came to the house. They both play in Varnika’s band.  We all sat out on the balcony (area above the car), with guitars and a few beers, sang songs and jammed the night away.  Both dogs lay beside us.

It sounds blissful. And it is. They’re all happy with their lives. But like most people of our age, we worry about their future.

But that’s life; so we make it good while we can.