SUNDAY 11th

Today we visited Talayuelas, a municipality in the province of Cuenca, whose inhabitants are mostly elderly population. So observe the contrast between the largest in the rural area and the elders of the city. We started the day visiting the city hall of Talayuelas, where we received the mayor of the town and offered us a talk about the people of the town, the situation of older people in the village, forests and the lake, which are major tourist riches.

Then the Mayor told us that to see what was the situation of older people in rural areas throughout the morning we would divide into groups and we would go to homes of several people that the mayor had selected for the visit, as these people were the village elders. In my own case, we went to visit Fermin, a 90 year old widower who has lived all his life in Talayuelas.

The group visited Fermin were: Anna Mary, Ruth and I (Stephanie). The man told us that for 4 years who lived alone since his wife died. He has always been a farmer, but all his children have studied university least one of them. Although she lives alone, her children live in the village near his home, and every day going to visit and eat or dine together. During the day the walk, talk to the townspeople and the evening is going to play the bar with retirees. Thought the Mayor's Home is a good place for the elderly, where they meet and play cards, dominoes, etc.

Fermín we asked about the changes that the town has suffered in recent years, to which he answered that he was born in 1922 and after the war the town was quite empty. But in recent years have created bullring, theater. In town to lack a lot of manpower and engineers, that gave work to many people. They also built a health center, funeral home, sports, avenues, school, church and football field.
Almost all the village elders have worked in agriculture. Many of the elders of the village are in the same situation as him living alone or with their partners if they but receive family visits daily.

Regarding the relationship between young people and the elderly, Fermin tells us that is good, that the relations in the villages are much closer, more familiar, and that young and old have many hobbies in common, such as bulls or bands, involving people of different ages.

Fermin confesses he would not change people's lives for life in the city has grown up in rural areas and are accustomed to life here. But it also feels that loneliness is very bad and the people are most noticeable, since his wife died nothing is the same.

After visiting Fermin my group thought in all questions would need improvement. We think that the greatest problem of older people in rural areas is loneliness, and therefore could improve relations between young and old performing activities including for the elderly to take their time and in turn relate to youth that they can transmit that vitality and zest for life that they lack. But mainly, it has to change the negative attitude of the biggest watch and see them as a burden as a positive, where they can share experiences, feelings, opinions, hobbies, etc.

In conclusion, I must say that this visit I removed a lot of feelings and made me think in some situations than at other times had not thought, as my relationship with my own grandparents, the frequency of visits, dealing with older people, etc. They are also people and have much to offer and this is what we owe them also convey to them that they still have a long life ahead and their lives are valuable.

Estefanía.