The grandpa and Tondopa

Grandpa Oscar was born in El Puente de Tondopa, a village on the banks of the Quiroz River. He lives in the city, 6 hours by car from El Puente, but he always finds a way to return —his blindness doesn't bother him much—; this time we went with him.

Grandpa Oscar was born in El Puente de Tondopa, a village on the banks of the Quiroz River.

He lives with us now, in the city (6 hours car trip to Tondopa), but for as long as I can remember, he always finds a way to return —his total blindness doesn't bother him much—; even though everyone objects —because nobody in the family, but the old man, cares about this little village in the northern Andes of Peru—, this time we went with him.

There he learned to tame the imposing Quiroz with his swimming, paddling with strength and respect —the current is a force to be reckoned with—. He carries Tondopa in his hands, within every crease of his weathered skin.

Our family in "El Puente" celebrated his return by slaughtering a hen; meanwhile, the children of "El Puente" ran through the cemetery with bag full of candies, it was November 1st, three days before the old man's birthday.