Summary

Guejar Sierra, Spain, is a multicultural village chosen by the author as their home due to its scenic beauty, sense of community, and proximity to various natural landscapes.

Abstract

The article describes Guejar Sierra, a small international village nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Southern Spain, as the author's chosen hometown. Despite being a nomad, the author felt compelled to settle here, buying a house for the first time. The village, with around 3,000 inhabitants from 35 nationalities, thrives on a strong community spirit and diversity, offering a unique blend of cultures and professions. Its residents, including artists, ski instructors, and cherry farmers, contribute to a vibrant way of life. The article highlights the village's picturesque location, its resilience during the pandemic, and the numerous activities available, such as camping in refugios and participating in local festivals. The author was drawn to Guejar Sierra by its charm and the presence of family, particularly their cousin who has lived there for over a decade.

Opinions

The author highly values the diversity and sense of community in Guejar Sierra, viewing it as a place that offers different perspectives on life.
They express a deep appreciation for the village's natural surroundings and the ability to enjoy outdoor activities, especially during the pandemic.
The author fondly reminisces about the historical aspects of the village, such as the former train line and its Moorish origins.
They find the local traditions, such as the cherry festival and the use of horses for transportation, to be endearing and integral to the village's character.
The author's decision to settle in Guejar Sierra was influenced by a personal connection, specifically the presence of family, which enhances their sense of home.

Guejar Sierra, Spain: My Hometown

A lovely little international place

I am a nomad by nature and have spent most of my adult life spending a few years here and a few years there, so when the prompt said hometown I instantly thought of the city where I grew up and my parents still live, Flagstaff, Arizona. Then I saw that it could also be where I live now, Guejar Sierra, and I thought, my parents chose Flagstaff, I chose Guejar so I’m going with Guejar.

The word “hometown” describes Guejar Sierra perfectly. It is the place I have chosen as my home. I even bought a house here and I have never done that before, so I must be serious! It is also very much a town, not a city. My friends who live here often refer to it as “the pueb”, short for pueblo (town in Spanish).

Photo by Author: A detail of a street in the village

Guejar Sierra is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains just above Granada in Southern Spain. It is about 20 minutes from the famous Alhambra, 20 minutes from a ski area and 40 minutes from the beaches on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the last village on the road

That meant that when we were quarantined for much of the last 2 years and we couldn’t leave our villages, residents of Guejar could freely go into the mountains to walk or camp. My experience of the pandemic was that it was annoying that I couldn’t go and get cheddar cheese and tofu at the bigger grocery store in town and I really missed my family and friends back in the US but life was pretty good. We were locked down completely for the first 8 weeks but after that we were free to spend as much time outside as we wanted.

Fun Fact: There used to be a train that ran between Granada and Guejar that Duke San Pedro Galatino had built because he wanted people to be able to visit his hotel. It was destroyed in the 70s because a dam was built and the resulting lake covered much of the tracks. You can still see where it used to run when the water is low.

Photo by Author: view from my apartment window

Around 3,000 people live here and among us we represent around 35 different nationalities. We have people here from Australia, Japan, Argentina, Poland, Ireland and on and on. They are nurses, artists, yoga teachers, construction workers, musicians, tour guides, photographers, ski instructors …

Fun Fact: Guejar was first settled by the Moors after they conquered Spain in 711 and was called Qaryat Walyar.

I love this about my village because it shows me just how many different ways there are to see the world and live in it. They also inspire me to try new things like being a tour guide for teenagers and making my own paint.

We have a very solid and supportive community here and we do so many things together. In Spain, there are buildings up in the mountains that are free to camp in called refugios. Sometimes we put together a group and spend a couple of days camping. We go to each other’s houses for parties, have tapas in the plaza, organize workshops for our kids, and generally just support each other through the laughter and tears of life.

Photo by Author: a cabin in the Sierra Nevada mountains that can be used for camping

The main industries here in the village are tourism (many people work up in the ski area), and cherries. There are so many cherries here in July that I actually get sick of them and that is saying something because I love cherries soooo much. It is May now and I am really looking forward to cherries again. The village even has a cherry festival and all of the local restaurants make cherry dishes. There is music and activities for a whole week.

Fun Fact: Sheep and goats are regularly herded through the streets, stopping traffic. Horses are still frequently used for transportation and it is not unusual to see someone on horseback ride up to El Porton (a local bar), and order a drink while still mounted.

Photo by Author: View from my front balcony

So, what brought me to this magical little place? My cousin did. She has lived here for more than 10 years. I was in Spain on a work trip and stopped by to visit her. I loved it from first sight, so I decided to save up some money so I could move here and I did. It has been such a long time since I had lived even in the same continent as any of my family and I was hesitant to invade her sanctuary. She assured me that she wanted me to come live here though, so I did and I am so glad. There is something about family that makes me feel like I am home. She is coming over in a few minutes though, so I should get the rice on for our lunch. The mole is already made. I hope you have enjoyed my “tour” of Guejar and I will say good bye for now!

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