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My name is PapaRemo and here's my story

"I am the land to which they have given a name...always granted in all its splendour"

02-09-2017 di Mirko Cannistraci

Once upon a time..... 
And think that time has passed by. 
Well what to say, yet for how this story went, I would have imagined exactly that. 
Who would have said that the energy of this earth, pure and uncontaminated, the good energy, the one that fills the heart and soul, could play such a fundamental role in the continuation of this story. 
Well, let us start from the beginning. 
In 1995, he landed at Watamu for the first time, Mr. Remo, the person who would then give me birth.
This was rarely seen around. 
He often loved to take long walks on the beach. My beach, that is the one that is now in front of me....
Beautiful is to say little: very white, almost dazzling, rich in colourful shells, with myriads of crabs that ran to protect themselves in their tiny dens as they passed through it. 
Then the perfume of the wind, sublime, brought with it intense smells full of oxygen. 
Sometimes, as he walked, Remo felt a light breeze on his face that gave him relief for the long and tiring walk. Continuing along the way, what he saw in his eyes was something incredible and unforgettable: the sea of a turquoise blue, mixed with the emerald green of an intense color, the small fishermen's boats were moored in the distance. 
The landscape gave unique glimpses and soothing glimpses; you could see the seagulls twirling in water, hunting small unconscious little fish and then being able to eat them, swallows, herons, and storks all to join in the dance, and then the starfish, almost fairy-tale, of a bright red that seemed fake. 
Sometimes you could even catch the dolphins with your eyes jumping out of the water, as if it were a greeting, what a spectacle! The lengthening of the hand had the feeling of being able to touch them even if far away from the shore.
One thing I noticed about Remo is that while he was passing here in front of him, he often stopped and turned towards the ocean and, crossing his arms, he stood still to admire the deep blue horizon and its shades, but it was only at a later time that I understood why he always stopped at the same point... 
He admired the majestic islands. Yes, the famous seven islands of love. 
They were emitted an almost bewitching charm, formed and smoothed by the continuous slamming of waves that seemed hypnotized with slow and inexorable rhythm. 
From time to time he distracted his eyes by turning towards my direction. Of course he could not see me, I didn't exist yet, but in his heart he already knew very well what my destiny would be. 
Time passed quickly.... 
Until one day in 2005 I saw him coming with a camping tent,"aahh sure that men are really strange" I told me,"he won't want to stay here and camp in a tent I hope.
But without even thinking about it, he mounted his small camper tent twice and brought with him a beautiful woman named Dorothy, who then turned out to be his beautiful wife. 
He lived there for a year, in front of the sea, just to be able to taste all the facets that this enchanted place offered. 
Beautiful was to hear the screams of the children who, as they passed in front of the tent, called him "Dad, Daddy" who knows why... maybe because of his thick white hair, his proud gaze and the sweetness that made him a fatherly figure in their eyes. They brought him fresh fish every day, and he rewarded them with coins and caresses, always thanking them with a smile.
Every now and then you could hear the noise of a small scooter, which passed through a small dirt track, heading towards the beach and taking with it fresh water. 
I still remember how he was able to tie the barrel to the tree beneath the cliff and how sparingly he used it both to wash himself and to quench his thirst.
When he then noticed how much wonder and magic there was around him, he decided to give me birth.
It was 2007. 
And here I am here.
A simple shed, made of wood and interwoven palm trees as roof. 
I am still moved by the memory of how much effort he made to clean up all the brushwoods around me together with his wife. 
With a wheelbarrow he climbed up and down, descended and ascended. 
Sometimes he pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket to dry his sweat on his forehead.
There was a continuous journey of people who helped him move the boulders, excess sand and weeds. I can't deny you that during the general cleaning it happened that during the day some snake friend stopped to make him company.
I grew up day after day, and what a crazy feeling it was to feel the enthusiasm of everyone, people who did their best to develop a dream, an idea. 
Chairs, tables, light points for the evening, all built with ingenious and mischievous manpower, then a small kitchen on the back with a gas cooker, some kitchenware and pots and pans to cook something at the right time.
I will call you.... PAPAREMO! 
Oh good God, what an indelible emotion, I had a name! 
You know, when someone nominates you, it means that from then on you will be part of his life, and that man so stubborn, and so full of joy in seeing me take shape, welcomed me into his family as if I were a son, teaching me all his experience, making me understand and discover the natural and free beauties of mother Africa.
Sunday was a feast. 
He arrived with many friends and relatives and on time he presented me every holy time.
"That's what he said - I'll present Paparemo". 
How astonished in their eyes, I can smile at the thought that everyone remained somewhat unbelieving and ecstatic in seeing how much strength and power could release a small hut made of wood and palm trees in the middle of nowhere.
"Spaghetti with fresh tomato and tuna in boxes for everyone, today I cook". 
And the day was assured. 
How many stories have I been able to hear, of every kind and for every comprehensible topic, and then we want to talk about laughter? Ah, that all were jokes, a couple of glasses of wine were enough and laughed at the crevices of stories and adventures that changed and twisted each time.
But do you want to know what was the real reason for such happiness?  
It was the atmosphere that was created, it was home. 
You have to bear in mind when what surrounds you gives you a sense of belonging, as if you had already been there since the first time you came to that place. 
That was precisely the spirit of freedom and union that made everything easier.
After lunch with belly and eyes still full of joy and joy, we were pampered by the noise of the wind and the rustle of the palm trees, the chirping of the birds who tried to collect the last crumbs seemed to be a sleeping pill after the meal.
And then small bamboo loungers were retrieved ready to be able to sit in a strong and warm sun, which could heat even the coolest bones.
Nothing has changed since then.
It is true.... maybe I've grown a little bit more from those past times, but the spirit that has been taught to me has always remained the same. 
I have a deep respect and esteem for that man named Remus, who had the courage and determination to believe in me, with patience and dedication wisely has been able to develop my qualities, giving me the opportunity to share the infinite beauties of this land that I have under the feet... ehm under the wooden poles.  
Many are the people who come to visit me daily, the greatest satisfaction and see them go away with a smile, because even now despite so many years have passed, gift every day, every moment and every breath a unique and unrepeatable moment to all those who know me well.
That is my story.
I am the land to which they have given a name. 
A bare and raw earth, always granted in all its splendour to those who truly appreciate its value. 
PapaRemo 

TAGS: Papa Remo WatamuRemo Lenzispiagge watamustorie kenyalocali watamu

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