Dieciocho anos, apenas GBP40 en el bolsillo, y la idea obstinada de llegar a Argentina: tal era el equipaje que acompano a Ronald Mackay cuando, en 1960, decidio salir de su Escocia natal y comenzo un periplo en autostop hasta Cadiz, puerto de embarque hacia America Latina.
Pero lo que seria una simple escala en las Canarias termino convirtiendose en una extensa y aprovechada estancia en la isla de Tenerife. El pueblo de Buenavista del Norte le acogio, y Ronald, a traves de anecdotas que se relatan con sorprendente precision y sentido del humor, aprendio el idioma, hizo amistades y se empapo de la cultura local hasta convertirse en uno mas del pueblo.
No espere encontrar en este libro solo una simple memoria de viaje: lo que nos cuenta, a traves de las relatos y cuestiones vitales que experimenta el autor, es su personal viaje hacia la madurez. Un viaje con el que es facil sentirse identificado, gracias a la cercania y carino con que se relatan las vivencias de aquel joven, que, con el tiempo, sintio la necesidad de dedicarle esta oda a todas aquellas personas que le acogieron en Buenavista, y le abrieron sus hogares y corazones.
In 1960 and with a mere GBP40, 18-year-old Ronald Mackay hitchhiked from Scotland to Spain and then to Tenerife by boat, hoping to reach Latin America. But he finds a welcome in Buenavista del Norte and stays for a year. In that isolated norther village, he works, learns Spanish, makes friends, embraces their way of life, takes risks and grows into manhood.
This is a charming account of a special time in Tenerife. There are moments of hilarity and of confusion as the young Scotsman with limited Spanish struggles to integrate into a family-run fonda in a traditional community. His empathy and willingness to work hard earn him a place and he is taken under the wing of the matriarch who runs the fonda.
Mackay tells of a life very different yet oddly similar to that of rural Scotland. He addresses the challenges that we all must, as we come of age; and with that knowledge prepares himself for life.
More than a travel memoir, this book charts a philosophical journey that leads to self-sufficiency and maturity. As well as recalling memorable characters and incidents with humor and insight Mackay also addresses the deeper, more fundamental issues of life.
