The Ups and Downs of living in Souraide

I love it here. I truly do. But that's not to say that every minute has been perfect. On the contrary, far from it. And when I say Ups and Downs, I mean literally - with the hills - and figuratively, like this:

UPS
My small village is charming, comforting and complaisant. The air smells like cow's waste but still tastes fresh in my mouth. It's quiet, calm, tranquil. But best of all, the views. The sight from my backyard still puts me into a state of awe.

DOWNS
Each narrow, winding road looks the same and seems to lead only deeper into the hills and not in the direction you want it to, i.e. back home.

Tips when walking in the hills:

• Wear decent running shoes, even when walking. Blisters are truly the most painful thing in the world.


• Look out for cow poop and pot holes on the roads.


• Don't do anything silly and embarrassing while walking cause even if the street is dead quiet, a car could come speeding round the corner any second and catch you in the act.


• Do not rely on remembering and recognising street names, they all look the same, especially in Basque; lots of As, Is and Gs.


• When you think you'll recognise where you are just at the top of the hill, remember how many tops-of-the-hills there are in Souraide. Also pay attention to how far away the top of the hill is, therefore removing the 'just' from the previous sentence.


• Leave with a watch, and fully charged ipod and phone.


• Take bread crumbs, or remember where you came from.


• Estimate the time you will be out for, then leave double that amount free afterwards, in the case of you walking for one hour thinking you'll soon arrive at a connecting road that heads back home, because it's possible you will have just been walking further and further away and end up walking back exactly the way you came, only slower due to tired legs, blistery feet, and the wind against you.


• When you find yourself lost, take comfort in the fact that you needn't worry about rapists and murders in a small village like Souraide.