Living in a Cave!

[Stanley Edwards]

Another sunset view:

I forgot to take a camera out last night. A fairly recent photograph of Tom the artist who's cave I'm looking after:

In a sort of time lapse experiment that didn't work type of way.

Obviously, he's not here so, I can't ask him. I can only guess...

So, Tom - why do you live in a cave?

Fuck off and don't go putting any photographs of me on any computers.

Okay. Won't do. Promise.


Very relaxed and chilled person really. A very good friend to many people and a seriously talented artist/instrument maker/carpenter/anything he puts his mind to. Clever person.

He's lived here for a few years and manages to find enough work to survive and fund art projects. Occasionally exhibits here and in London. Current project is life sized figurative paintings of imaginary bar scenes. I will need to ask permission before photographing those and putting them on the web.


I'll make the effort to get out and speak to more people tonight and take a camera with me. Need to speak to more of the genuine locals also!

 

[crustychick]

*subscribes to thread*

this is brilliant

has reminded me of my ambition to go to Spain in a few years, work on eco-build/community projects etc.... glad I enrolled on that Spanish class now!

 

[Stanley Edwards]

*subscribes to thread*

this is brilliant

has reminded me of my ambition to go to Spain in a few years, work on eco-build/community projects etc.... glad I enrolled on that Spanish class now!

Thanks

You'd love it here - loads of crustyfolk

There is always a fairly large contingent of crusty people from the UK squatting caves (and city squats) most stay a couple of months. Others fall in love with the city and stay as long as they can.

Plenty of interesting eco projects all over Andalucia, particularly in the Apuljarras. You might also be interested in Beneficia - the commune village in the mountains near Granada.

 

[crustychick]

Thanks

You'd love it here - loads of crustyfolk

There is always a fairly large contingent of crusty people from the UK squatting caves (and city squats) most stay a couple of months. Others fall in love with the city and stay as long as they can.

Plenty of interesting eco projects all over Andalucia, particularly in the Apuljarras. You might also be interested in Beneficia - the commune village in the mountains near Granada.

Hmmmmm, cool, cheers, will check it out! wonder if I can wait two years!

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Whilst on the subject, it may be worth mentioning a few hows and whats for anyone interested in living a low money lifestyle in Andalucia or, Granada itself.

I've already explained how people living in the caves make a bit of money. There are also free kitchens in Granada. Plenty of quality recycling opportunities, and regular free hand outs from places like Indian restaurants just as they're closing.

There are Two English managed festivals that happen close by. Although, the Rocket didn't take place this year. It's possible to get work at the festival sites for a month prior to the event in return for food, shelter and a little bit of dosh. (This is only with reference to Rocket).

There's also plenty of low paid seasonal work in the country, but it's not all year round and it's tough work for low reward.

Obviously, if you speak Spanish you'll have a better chance of getting half decent work. If you're the type, it's very easy to make your own work here.


Squatting caves.

Some caves are securely locked up and people often arrive here with a key that's been passed onto them by a mate of a mate of a mate they met whilst travelling elsewhere.

Other caves are handed over to new keepers when people leave.

By the end of winter many people will have left. There's usually a choice of empty caves at the beginning of spring just before people arrive in droves. It's basically a free for all. However, a couple of French girls had bones broken earlier this year for squatting the wrong cave. If you're asked to leave by anyone - you leave. It's not worth arguing!

Also, things are changing. As the caves become valued property they will of course be protected more closely by the rightful owners.

On the other hand, as stated earlier in the thread, there are other valleys of caves. They're just a longer walk from the city and drinking water supplies.

 

[muckypup]

brilliant thread. I'm planning a visit to granada so would love to come and check these caves out !

How cold does it get in the winter and also how much do these caves sell for ?

*subscribes to thread*

 

[muckypup]

Jigoma and Kim:

Dirk and Jigoma are Two of the nicest people anyone could hope to meet. Kim is Six months old almost.

'So, Jigoma - why do you live in a cave?'


I tentatively asked about social welfare issues. Jigoma doesn't seem to concerned and there are plenty of children growing up happily and healthily here. They go to a regular school and have plenty of friends.

I love the profiles. some very interesting people there

 

[Stanley Edwards]

brilliant thread. I'm planning a visit to granada so would love to come and check these caves out !

How cold does it get in the winter and also how much do these caves sell for ?

*subscribes to thread*

The view from the caves above Sacramonte is the best view of The Alhambra, The Albycin and Granada IMO. It's magical at dusk. A must do for any visitors. Many of the guides advise against it. There are a couple of wrongun young lads here ATM that I suspect were the guys who tried to mug a mate at knife point. But, it looks much more scary than it is. It's a safe place if you don't go flaunting posh cameras etc.

Last winter was very mild. Barely dropped below freezing and only just managed a dusting of snow. January and February are the coldest months with a touch of frost and a bit of snow. Windy sometimes though - very windy. The rain in Spring can hang around for days also.

With just an average of 30 rainy days a year you can expect to be wearing a T-shirt on a January mid afternoon and thick winter coat by the evening. When the sun drops you feel the air cooling by a degree a minute almost.

The better caves have wood burners. People salvage from skips, collect windfall from the forests or, buy local olive wood. It's a lot of work to collect the wood and carry it up the hill everyday.

 

[muckypup]

sounds like the winters are manageable. so if everything goes tits up here i could move to a cave up there sounds very good to me.

 

[Crispy]

Does anybody use solar power? You can get/build a 12V system that packs down to carryable size for not much, and it's enough for lighting and music during the night.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Does anybody use solar power? You can get/build a 12V system that packs down to carryable size for not much, and it's enough for lighting and music during the night.

Yep. Tom's cave has a panel that charges two 12V car batteries for lighting and radio. The lighting is salvaged from old cars.

Inma's cave also has solar power. She prefers candles and only uses the electric for cooking utensils (blenders etc) and music. She also has a gas cooker with oven. Cylinder gas carried over a Kilometer up hill. The cyliners feel as though they way somewhere around 20 Kilos.

People also use generators to charge batteries or, run electric stuff directly. Irish Joe, who sadly died at the beginning of this year, used to have a full on home cinema system. He rented DVD's every night powering directly from a generator that used to hum loudly through the whole valley. He'd shut the noise out blissfully unaware that he was disturbing the peace very much

 

[crustychick]

how long have you lived there?

 

[Stanley Edwards]

how long have you lived there?

I've been in Granada for 18 months approx. I have regularly visited and partied at the caves and occasionally spent nights there. However, there are a lot of serious drinkers there. I'm very aware that booze could easily be a problem for myself so, decided to keep a bit of distance until I had got myself sorted and settled here.

I have no idea how long I will be living in Tom's cave. No word from him yet. He may appear any day or, may take as long as 'it' takes

I'll continue the thread until I've run out of questions about cave life myself.

Work wise I've been incredibly lucky. I make money from my art and photography and I'm picking up seriously well paid wedding photography jobs for rich Americans

I also have an accidental book on it's way courtesy of a thread I documented in Photography & Graphics forum here from the day I arrived in Granada with just €20 in my pocket.

Granada is being very good to me. I love it here.

 

[crustychick]

I've been in Granada for 18 months approx. I have regularly visited and partied at the caves and occasionally spent nights there. However, there are a lot of serious drinkers there. I'm very aware that booze could easily be a problem for myself so, decided to keep a bit of distance until I had got myself sorted and settled here.

I have no idea how long I will be living in Tom's cave. No word from him yet. He may appear any day or, may take as long as 'it' takes

I'll continue the thread until I've run out of questions about cave life myself.

Work wise I've been incredibly lucky. I make money from my art and photography and I'm picking up seriously well paid wedding photography jobs for rich Americans

I also have an accidental book on it's way courtesy of a thread I documented in Photography & Graphics forum here from the day I arrived in Granada with just €20 in my pocket.

Granada is being very good to me. I love it here.

cool, I have had a few friends who lived in Granada, and my dearest friend just returned from nine months there - also partied in the caves it really does quite appeal to me.... hmmmm, money making could be an issue for me though.... but I'm a resourceful gal - I will come up with something by then...

 

[Stanley Edwards]

cool, I have had a few friends who lived in Granada, and my dearest friend just returned from nine months there...

I must surely know them. I know everyone here

So long as they weren't around when I was drinking whisky straight from the bottle after cooking everyone egg & chips they'll only know me for the good person I really am.

 

[crustychick]

I must surely know them. I know everyone here

So long as they weren't around when I was drinking whisky straight from the bottle after cooking everyone egg & chips they'll only know me for the good person I really am.

I will ask

 

[astral]

really loving this thread, please keep the pictures coming x

 

[ice-is-forming]

the life you lead Stanley *cool* thanks for this thread *smile*

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Just got a call from my good friend Tom. Safely over the peak of Mulhacen and currently in a village a few Kilometers outside of Granada. He'll be back in Four or, Five hours. I return to my luxury pad tonight. However, I'll continue speaking with and photographing a few more cave dwellers for the sake of finding out a bit more about cave life.

Batteries ran out last night - no new pics. Will buy new batteries today.


Many of the caves are white washed with cal (lime wash). This not only improves the light in the caves, it also acts as a disinfectant. Ideally, caves are white washed every year. Few here are. The walls of caves are very infectious! A slight scrape or, knock will be very sore. Hygiene is something you need to very aware of. I managed to scrape my knuckles the other night. Despite washing thoroughly and applying much Savlon the following morning it's gone very mank

Hopefully more pics this evening.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Tom returns with fantastic stories of conquering Mulhacen. I'm jealous as fuck and he's goading me, inferring that I'm not capable or, something. Red flag to a bull. My next project I think, but I'll be doing it naked, with no provisions, in the middle of winter

Maybe not. Perhaps next summer.

No batteries - I got side lined by wine and tapas with Inma so, some old photographs and a bit of background.

The following photographs were taken last Spring/Winter when the evictions were happening.

This cave is currently occupied by a seriously intelligent Russian mate with a bit of a booze issue.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

The evictions got quite a fair bit of national news coverage. To be fair, at that time some of the caves were occupied by people with serious habits to feed and no income. A certain patch on the hill was not good.

The 'old' news programmes have recently been re-broadcast with rumours of fresh moves to evict. I don't think that's necessary and I don't think it will happen. Caves will get reformed here one at a time and the squatters will simply move when asked. There isn't anyone here currently with the desire to fight and get organised. Many people I talk to are resigned to the fact that it's going to happen and nothing can stop it happening.

Even many of the long term residents are talking about renting somewhere in villages just outside of the city. It's still cheap to rent a house.


I've had a very nice week. Drank way to much. Didn't complete any paintings I'm happy with, but a nice lazy week with quality company and beautiful evening views.

I have loads of proper film photography to collect from the lab also. I'll continue documenting until people get bored. I also have a set of photographs documenting (in a very arty way) the lives of city squatters and fire jugglers. I'll try and find some interesting words to go with those also

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Resting this thread for a few days. I need a change of scene. I've been suffering from deluded hippie nonsense fantasies about heading to the hills with a beautiful young partner and setting up a 100% self-sufficient cave. I need a reality check so, I'm staying in the city for a few days to normalise before I drop out completely.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Fire juggling is dangerous. Fire breathing is even more dangerous. Very, very dangerous in fact.

Tad concerned tonight for someone who suffered blow back hard time.

She's rested and heavily sedated. Can barely breathe. Total pain. Lung infections, blisters - all you could imagine from breathing in a ball of fire. City squat and fire jugglers documentary is on hold. Everything on hold actually. I'm very concerned. Just completed an 'Emily Plays with Fire' painting the other day. I thought it was as safe as she thought.

I will visit her tomorrow and insist she goes back to hospital if she's no better. She's sedated with morphine, but still obviously in pain when the morphine wears off.

Sometimes I hate macho fire breathers impressing the impressionable. Sometimes I hate myself for not recognising how fucking dangerous the game can be. Watched, enjoyed and photographed the fire spectacular they put on for just enough each to eat everyday.

Belongs in this thread for some reason. Possibly because I couldn't be arsed to start a new.

She's ill, very ill, but I believe she'll recover. Hope so. She's a tough cookie.



Hang on in there Emily!

 

[crustychick]

Fire juggling is dangerous. Fire breathing is even more dangerous. Very, very dangerous in fact.

Tad concerned tonight for someone who suffered blow back hard time.

She's rested and heavily sedated. Can barely breathe. Total pain. Lung infections, blisters - all you could imagine from breathing in a ball of fire. City squat and fire jugglers documentary is on hold. Everything on hold actually. I'm very concerned. Just completed an 'Emily Plays with Fire' painting the other day. I thought it was as safe as she thought.

I will visit her tomorrow and insist she goes back to hospital if she's no better. She's sedated with morphine, but still obviously in pain when the morphine wears off.

Sometimes I hate macho fire breathers impressing the impressionable. Sometimes I hate myself for not recognising how fucking dangerous the game can be. Watched, enjoyed and photographed the fire spectacular they put on for just enough each to eat everyday.

Belongs in this thread for some reason. Possibly because I couldn't be arsed to start a new.

She's ill, very ill, but I believe she'll recover. Hope so. She's a tough cookie.



Hang on in there Emily!

that sounds traumatic- hope she's okay xx

 

[chooch]

That's a pretty one. Handsome town.

She's ill, very ill, but I believe she'll recover. Hope so. She's a tough cookie.

Hope so. Deeply shitty thing to happen

 

[Dillinger4]

Thumbs up for this thread!

This thread is like my dream for an ideal life. With Inma.

 

[girasol]

Hope Emily recovers quickly, tell her there's people on the intrawebz wishing her well!

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Hope Emily recovers quickly, tell her there's people on the intrawebz wishing her well!

Will do

She has plenty of friends here looking after her. She loves it here, but it's not the first time she's been in hospital during the past year. She lives life to the full and takes risks knowingly!


News from the caves. Inma just called round. Apparently there's a TV news crew sniffing around this morning. Either A - something is about to happen regarding evictions, or B - nothing is happening anywhere in Granada and they're just desperate for news, or C - they've somehow discovered my brilliant reporting skills on teh internetz. Highly unlikley. I suspect option B. Although, there was a reporter from the local freebie rag up there the other day. He managed to come up with a 'dirty cave people' type story. Hmmmm... I wonder?

 

[Stanley Edwards]

For those who care; Emily is well enough to strain a conversation about how good the pills the doctor prescribed are

Good news. She even offered me one, but I'm far to responsible not to buy my own.

No photographs today. Have just completed one of my best paintings to date though. No-one else seems to think so, but I'm well liking it.


Life in the Albycin is getting well Disney these days. Always was actually. A circle of pretense around the locals. No photographs today. Sorry!

 

[Piers Gibbon]

enjoying this thread...thank you