Dos MUJERES JOVENES y sus PADRES son los ÚLTIMOS HABITANTES de este INCREÍBLE PUEBLO Asturiano

Tonight I've spent the night in this incredible village home to just one family Finding places like this facing severe risk of depopulation and abandonment It makes me think of all the effort and knowledge our ancestors possessed that will be lost with them Our sovereignty and freedom die with every people we abandon with every piece of knowledge lost when our elder wise ones depart And new generations forget it due to the comfort and dependence on the established system We must never forget that our ancestors left us knowledge of utmost value enabling us to be free by producing our own sustenance by relying solely on nurturing and understanding our environment to coexist and live in the only healthy way humanity knows how symbiosis with Mother Earth With only one resident it's absolutely crazy It is estimated that there are over 700 abandoned villages here in Asturias in natural settings as pristine as the one you've just seen Today we’re going to meet a family who has chosen despite all the hardships to stay here in the village In fact they are the only ones who continue living here year-round I know they have plenty to share ey can give us a true picture of what it's like to live here in these villages because many of you have been asking me about this topic If it's easy it's not easy—how do you do it Well they probably can clarify your doubts much better than I can So I'm not signing up anymore—I'll leave you as always scattered across social media f you'd like to stay a bit more up to date on content I don't post here on YouTube let's get into it Well then family I'm already entering the village where I have my family waiting for me since I let them know I was coming I’ve got them sitting right here—look at this picture They must think they live in this house over here I have a hidden one that doesn’t want to come out but oh well Hey family Great how about you Really good because I’ve been looking forward to meeting you all and having my family meet you too Since it seems you're the only family staying in this town all year round right What I want is for you to introduce yourselves What's your name Monchi And how old are you 77 So this is your wife right What's your name Mari Carmen And the daughter isn't she Benjamín We're four siblings and I'm the youngest—I'm 44 years old Forty-four One thing people always ask me about is the village What is it like to live in a village In Asturias remote high in the mountains Living in a village is a form of charity It's tough because there are harsh winters terrible weather but then comes calm peace It has many benefits People are especially drawn to you particularly young people for staying here and betting on not leaving because I think you're the only young girl in town who's chosen to stay here right Yes it's just my sister and me We feel great sorrow selling the animals letting go of everything our grandparents had worked so hard for Our parents and us because that's what we've been forced to do And so we've decided to stay here That's wonderful that's wonderful I absolutely love that And besides the taxi initiative is a social endeavor It's no longer just a job but a social mission as you might say It's extremely important because fewer and fewer people remain in the villages these days In fact Monchi how many people lived in this village How many of you were here back then I came to this village in 1969 and there were fourteen neighbors with cattle Now only this house remains—my house And when you say you came here is it because you weren't originally from around here I'm from another village meaning not from this area so I came to live here Ah so she's the native one then right Yes What do you think about seeing the town like this I mean how does it make you feel to see the town like this It's heartbreaking When it's just them alone in winter snow falling it feels heartbreaking Yes Because sometimes it snows just a little but there are others who come to open when they can Because here how do you feel When it comes to… If we could summarize it… From the reality of living here in the village in terms of local administration how do you feel Do you feel supported Or do you feel somewhat abandoned Because it's important to note there are two types of administrations: the municipalities and the Principality of Asturias which is the central government It's like organizing another completely different terrain What could you discuss about this topic How do people living in villages feel And the municipality does support the towns Specifically if they have any issues they call us listen to us and try to resolve them So well then Well isn't that right It's a topic you handle quite well here Exactly Besides the idea of the village has changed It's not a town that hasn't been lived in for 50 years In our case we currently have the town Anyone who comes here now doesn't have… If they want to work from home they can work from home And if they want to go to the beach they can go That's exactly what I was saying from the beginning This is quality of life I love how you put it that way In fact you'll have to let me keep quiet about my location as it' s the only family that's been here continuously and out of respect And you know I keep the site identities tightly controlled so they don’t get overcrowded because in the end I have a presence that a lot of people see I have a project where I showcase many villages And I certainly don’t want them to become overcrowded That means we won't be saying where we are But we will be getting to know the town with Monchi's help won't we You'll be our guide through the town You'll share a bit of the town's history so they can see how it's also deteriorating There are some arranged sections I suppose since people must have come from outside In fact you'd mentioned before that it's now of course very beautiful It's summer that's why Even if we're feeling a bit chilly it's still summer Naturally lots of people come from outside But for the rest of the year we need to keep this going right Indeed Now during peak summer some families are away Some of them are settled here in a house or two They live here for a while quite comfortably But then for the rest of the year from September to June June We're staying with this family Well then I'll stay with you since you said you had a lot to do I'm heading off to Las Vacas I'm heading to the mountains to be with my father Come on perfect I'll stay with him and we'll go explore the town okay Alright I'll show you soon Mira Álvaro this was where the forge was as they called it—where a neighbor used to shoe horses For the mulars for the puyos And he mostly devoted himself to that But he also had livestock and a bit of farmland But now it's completely neglected isn't it This place is entirely deserted now Totally abandoned as you can see Oh well there's one back here I'd imagine a building of some sort Back here Ah look here it is yes This is where the entrance door is located over there And that's where they used to dump the coal charcoal they had even brought from wild shrubs in the Peñamanteca hills And with a small forge they heated the iron there and made horseshoes and repaired plowshares and farming tools Do you remember it perfectly Yes yes perfectly I remember it perfectly And why did the blacksmith stop here in the village Because the man was older he was older His name was Marcelino Álvarez The man has passed away and left no heirs The children left from this village and this place was abandoned And is the machinery still inside or is there nothing left I think it must still be there I don’t know that anyone ever took her let alone would but that must be completely abandoned by now Yes thinking about how the front entrance must be since we had to come around to the back it must be completely abandoned Yes it's a shame because it's truly amazing to recreate even just for the holidays—here in the village do you have festivals We're having a party on September 8th That's great In a chapel located up there deep in the mountains Really Before reaching the town That's wonderful And Mass is always celebrated there And maybe there's a gathering that day since quite a few people tend to show up And then nothing else the meal and dinner are already in the village in the village houses That's great Have a wonderful time I imagine it's summer well there are still people around since it's still summer season right Yes yes here since early July through early September By the 10th of September there are still people around people in good shape After that we'll be left alone One thing that really catches my attention is how the forest here you can see it right over here look I want to show it to you Because it's so beautiful to see You'll see the view here for yourselves Here wherever you look you'll see this—forest and mountains— but there's one thing that catches my attention The thing is the forest seems to encroach into certain areas almost reaching the village right It's completely overgrown with weeds and we're terrified a fire could break out at any moment since of course there's no one left in the village And with no one else in the village who cleans it up I no matter how much I'd like to help am an elderly person And nothing here just the cattle helping the daughters out when it suits me and me I can't anymore Of course and I imagine that since people see it as green but I know there was a time when wildfires devastated Asturias I can only imagine you must have been terribly frightened right Yes yes of course of course were scared In fact once there was a fire down at the far end of the village and the neighbors from across the way in another village came running They had to help put out the fire and yes the firefighters had to come too I can imagine people were really alarmed you know because everything looked green You think there's no risk of fire but it's also real isn't it Yes but if it turns green at this stage yet in other stages there's some drought or dryness everything dries up and that's when the danger arises Of course that's why it's important that in the past people used to work the forests right And now there are hardly any young people left who can take over huh Ah but now there's no one left—here I'm telling you no This is very beautiful but it's also tough of course Here it's also not very easy to turn to livestock farming Because well there are many wild animals here—the wild boar the wolf the bear Do you have a lot of issues with that kind of problem around here The bear has just ruined all the cherry trees here—there's no way to keep a fruit tree now Right here the other day she ate the whole thing and ruined it completely Did he get in here Even with the fence you have here did he manage to get inside Well is it the one that's broken over there Yes yes Good grief So you've practically got the bear right in the town Yes yes No no it goes through the town right through the heart of it The bear isn't afraid No no the bear doesn't run—it strolls through the village as if it owns the place This is also an area where many are found Here in the area where I live many can be seen quite frequently People passing through to other towns beyond see them when the timing aligns and well they’re constantly visible at my place A topic that also often comes up well people tend to ask about what happens when you experience attacks from these kinds of animals for example This orchard that’s been damaged—well have you also been experiencing attacks on your livestock Well this tree this tree—no here there's no fruit left because that's not the point anymore And yes what's more the advisory body—I don't know but they really should at the very least designate it in a timely manner Because a girlfriend of mine killed me back in September the bear was justified with the guards and everything perfectly in order everything above board And from September until late May they didn't pay me That's eight or nine months I think everyone likes getting paid every month Yes and you actually live off it—not just doing it as a hobby Well that’s just how it is If you file a complaint you'll be told by the advisory office that they're already looking into it The wild boar came as far as this garden the other day right next to the houses and dug up a large pile of potatoes And he chopped those onions as you can see Well they called the guard and the guard said to sweep them up He was supposed to come by but the guard hasn't shown up here either So look you can't keep anything anymore right next to the houses We're right next to the house completely And not only do you go to the trouble of closing it which isn't to say you don' t already have it closed or anything but you actually take the trouble to do it But even so it's impossible for there not to be a tiny bit slipping through somewhere isn't it Yes yes you see he can sneak out anywhere he wants and without an electric fence there's no way to keep him in And I understand that even so sometimes they take everything because when they' re hungry they eat it all Yes indeed just like any living being they want to eat Yes that's understandable—we're not saying we shouldn 't have to coexist with these beasts but ultimately The administration which is responsible for paying this because ultimately you rely on this for your livelihood There are people who will go down to the market to sell it or directly for self-consumption but it's a loss that is very significant for you because it's your fridge your pantry right Well yes but besides wild boar I don't know Hunters are limited to a quota and cannot kill more than two animals here on this estate Of course they're coming and this area is already overrun by them There are far too many wild boars We're currently fixing the fountain We'repairing it with help from the city council And now there's finally starting to be some people around here And we collaborate by helping as well Well we want to preserve it because it's something that anyone who comes to the town even just passing through If you want to drink a glass of water at the very least make sure you can drink it from a public fountain Of course the water here is drinkable I imagine Yes yes Absolutely Yes it's a water source that's channeled but it's been analyzed and is safe to drink so there are no issues with consumption Women used to come here to wash on their day back then Well now nothing remains not even neighbors and besides there are washing machines now But come on that's exactly what they used to do here on their day And they'd also drink from the watering hole where the cows quenched their thirst whenever they passed up or down Yes yes They were heading toward the thatched huts or so they could drink here Hey I'm so glad the city council is doing this here specifically do your part as well since I imagine this isn't something you're fixing solely with the city's budget funds Not from your pocket right Yes yes Of the few who come here even if just in summer A little bit right The town council contributed some help but let's face it the community also has to bear a bit of the cost And in winter how do you manage Because I'm seeing for example the contrast of witnessing all this which is a shame to see And shops and bakeries in this state and I see you even have a chapel there don't you Yes yes there is a little chapel a tiny chapel How do you manage in winter with just the two of you To keep all this a bit weed-free Well then maybe you just pick up a weed whacker You clean a bit but not enough because after all we're alone all winter and have to take care of the livestock And well there's also a taxi at home that they sometimes call on us to pick up Yes your daughter mentioned it to me A senior agent to Belmonte to the doctor whatever fits I love that work because in the end That's what your daughter said—that it's a social endeavor and that many people feel lonely Yes yes now there's a phone in every home and everything so when they call well you just have to go wherever you need to go Look Álvaro you can see how this place is in ruins now People used to live here there was a couple who were already well a bit older And they'd come through the villages or right here around and such putting on a kind of comedy and we'd laugh so hard at what they did Back then I'd say it was like a form of cinema or something along those lines And those country folks that couple he was named Manolo and I can't recall her name but anyway They had something that pleased the people entertained the crowd and sustained them because the people supported them in return They also brought them things and that’s how they lived That is it was a different kind of work because the usual occupation here in the village what was it No no here the occupation was simply farming and livestock that was the usual livelihood of all the neighbors And what about the lands that yield produce in this part of Asturias the area where we are now We're roughly in the central zone a little tilted toward the mountain I don't want to pinpoint it either The land was yielding scandal as if the wheat itself had turned suspicious scandal corn potatoes onions good various things were planted garlic and countless stories for gas consumption And the issue of hunger here in these villages which always sparks debate varies depending on the region it seems There were times of famine and times of plenty in the matter of war— everything that was experienced which I imagine you heard a great deal about Did these villages truly suffer hunger or did they always have just enough to get by Well real hunger real hunger— No I don't think so because so many things were harvested worked and cultivated in the fields and gardens and the like Well since hunger was also becoming a thing and all that I guess when it comes to hunger there wasn't really any hunger Now well things were quite limited I imagine some families might have been even more in need because they had more children because the parents had died in the war—yes I' ve heard that quite often Were they being helped When were there families like that in the village Was the village united Did people help one another cleaning together Yes yes this very town was once a united community always moreover if people finished a task on a farm or the like In a grass-gathering session when they finished they would help one another and support each other yes on that point definitely That's something we've lost and it's a shame Now nothing now everyone for themselves and that's it Yes I've seen villages where for instance if this is left open they block off their own section and might end up seeing into their neighbor's yard It's nothing just a little more and it also pertains to the crossing the road that everyone uses and I can see that there's that limitation People come with a completely different mindset it's all about me and nothing else Yes yes there is indeed some of that now Now everyone's focused on their own things each to their own nothing else matters — in this environment people have changed we don't cooperate like we used to Look incredibly right behind here there's a house and seeing something like this you can see in this appearance of complete abandonment Look at the contrast what Monchi has taught me here a house that was this house was very old right And they've restored it Yes yes they restored this place about four or five years ago and honestly it turned out absolutely beautiful The location of this house is incredible Looking at the views from this side and how beautifully they've maintained it but Monchi I have a hunch they don't come here much because I can already see the vegetation is quite tall meaning it's a secondary residence that they visit occasionally No they do come they can come a long weekend since they live in Madrid and well now I hope that now in the month of August they come and stay the whole month of August here Then when they come they clean everything up and make it all nice and tidy They make it interesting huh Yeah they do it well yes I'd live here year-round—it's amazing the views here just look at this little spot outside the village not that it's isolated You have houses right next to you And regarding housing here Monchi what's it like I imagine houses for sale I haven't seen any but I do see many abandoned What's going on How can they not agree Are the relatives trying to sell them For instance maybe one of those you see looking so neglected is because they don't have anyone It's not clearly settled whose the owner is because maybe it's several brothers and they might not have resolved it among themselves either The issue is that I keep encountering this problem where houses collapse due to disputes over inheritance There are no documents anywhere they can't find them anywhere and it's a shame I think there should be some kind of solution so those houses They wouldn't come down even if there were no documents should they at least show a little favor don't you think If anyone cares about it owing they are relatives and somehow able to prove it even by asking neighbors because sometimes it just seems ridiculous that it should come down to nothing more than a piece of paper at they can't prove the house belonged to them since in the past documents weren't usually filed right It wasn't common They say it's not worth the trouble that it's a waste of time The paperwork they bring them the complications they bring them and that's how they have it Yes that's exactly what I'm saying—they should make it a little easier so that doesn't happen Indeed simplifying things a bit so there wouldn't be so much Demand for this and that I don 't know So much bureaucracy And yet in the end they're always quick to say "Well of course yes " at people come to the towns that need them but when it comes down to it I'm currently in the middle of a project to find a home or the prices are outrageous or simply trying to find the owners or those willing to agree is an ordeal because often The house is completely falling apart due to their ongoing disputes and when someone shows interest—like me who's already been through this—no agreement has been reached And the house remains completely in ruins I would have given him a second chance Then the matter of the documents and the older people as well and they're no longer willing to go through all the trouble facing obstacles at every turn which ultimately makes the communities They're also struggling with that aspect And it's a pity They don't support that issue and it's not easy I don't know how to put it but the truth is that here in town they make you jump through a thousand hoops just to do the simplest repair I don't see it as easy No no absolutely not if now you have to be practically an engineer for some things in the field right I don't see it as easy no every single thing is an obstacle and a hardship Despite everything they say and all they might claim o support the people I don' t see that they'really doing much support and no I don't see it as easy Another house tha They were well quite well-known around here a large family with five or six children and I was the one who took them to Madrid And then well nothing much here the house stayed you see under what circumstances What a pity because it also has breathtaking views And it was a lovely house because look look at these raised foundations here for the weeds for the lower part which gave it this The perfect sun all around the house and a very well- positioned home Man I imagine you'd have some views behind you because the entire mountain is there you just can't see it now because we have all this blocking it but you can see all the mountains and spectacular views Fabulous no the house is fabulous and look at the circumstances it's in and furthermore given the amount of overgrowth that's here running the risk that at any moment this could even be burned down Yes because directly if there 's a small fire This place really thrives no time at all No no seeing the overgrowth here it's impossible Had a laundry area and everything down there Yes Amazing is that I can't get in because there's a lot of vegetation there are nettles those plants They cause significant damage to the skin Yes Strong rashes appear But look what a pity the ivy creeping through the window Well jeez This one really has me considering buying it Look it's completely fallen apart here I'll show you around here—yes right here I can actually get in For years now this door has remained shut and has never been opened again And something has fallen here that looks like It must be the part from the oven since it's round—I think this piece was from the oven Yes yes And look as far as we know from when the house was built 1971 or at least when it was repaired because the house must be much older Yes yes much older This was just a minor repair they made Look what a shame what a pity There's an old radio here that' s all Look Monchi look at this ancient radio we have here What a great find surely one of the homeowners ' favorite spots in the house And look this spot right here was where the bread was baked—the oven I just mentioned that now That was the oven wasn't it Yes yes where they mixed and baked the bread They have the door on the inside Of course yes I can imagine Well you see now what's happening to the houses in these villages That's how it is Yes And finally here is a house that they tried to restore This is the pantry that was used to store grain because here mice couldn't climb since As you can see there are some chickens that don't go up there and that's where the grain from the harvest went—what was gathered and stored in the house Now look at it— what a state it's in Good Lord it's barely recognizable The old ones are gone the children have left and this place is completely abandoned What a shame because they really did try to restore and revive it but then what happened I don 't know they must not have had the resources to sustain it what it cost to fix this and then they just left it completely abandoned Do you think young people this is already a personal opinion I'd like to hear your perspective—do you think young people will ever come back to the village Is it feasible Isn't it unrealistic Well let 's see young people e one where if anyone comes here they come but to be able to live here solely by working remotely that's why telecommuting or something like that Now living here as people used to live or as it was from the livestock from the garden and from those stories is extremely difficult but very very difficult The fields can't plant anything now because unless you fence everything in with an electric sheep fence like the one used for wild boars it's pointless and for livestock and cattle raising it 's also very difficult and that doesn 't work well either mostly I don't see it as easy Do you find it complicated I find it very complicated because in my home we' re already involved in it— there's a tractor a baler some machinery and— a block away a little pretty good we're already a bit off track and now by the end of the year to Parco Londres it's not no this isn't easy you know I can see it quite a lot quite difficult to start with They say if they give aid there aid there for ten years for nothing I just don't see that as feasible Let's go This isn't about help it's about being able to move forward on our own Each rancher had to live off their own resources being able to defend oneself rather than waiting for anyone to support you It's just that I find it incredible that the producers of the essential components of food ey have to depend on no one which means we've gone crazy I think because the one who produces the food —the one who should be demanding—has relinquished that power the higher entity that is there governing us manipulating us and even instilling fear in us just to drive us back to the field because I notice there's a lot of fear about returning to the countryside that's why—due to the uncertainty surrounding safety the feeling that there 's no safety anywhere or even going to the village To go out into the field to live means having a bit of nerve and daring to face the fact that life in one of these cattle towns could get really tough I'd almost say it's almost impossible because well I see it myself you used to sell a calf that calf would stretch Now you sell four and you get less than you used to get before for buying supplies for one thing or another there's no shortage after all with all the feedstocks with everything as it is if display cases if sanitation if well everything turns back into work and stories and not no I just don't see it as profitable —this world's upside down truth be told Well with this bleak image behind me and this conversation going on what we've just had I'm going to wrap up this video becausehonestly whenever I meet with someone so wise like Monchi who has lived through since the field's critical phase had already passed machinery had already been deployed allowing things to unfold naturally in the world of agriculture rather than in some other way not like this since their parents or even grandparents did it and yet you can see it' s completely impossible today which is why I don't want to do what so many people tell me to do in their videos at this is very easy no I know it's difficult but I always encourage people to come because here there is peace there is health with just a little that you can plant and that you can save yourself a lot of money on your grocery bill and well life in small towns—anyone who's lived in a village knows and know that in the city you' re stressed but here is where you can find peace and a different way of living though nowadays You need to keep in mind that it's going to be well with technological tools remote work or something along those lines —I won't go on any further thanks Monc o welcome me into your town to show it to me to tell me a little about it and about how life is here—I hope you enjoyed the video I'll leave you social media links as always in case you want to stay a little more up to date on the content we upload here on YouTube and see you in the next video thanks to you o take out things just as perfectly fair things bring them out so everyone can see well with those words I leave you bye