The Ruin
AFTER MEDITATING at sunrise on our rooftop terrace, I couldn’t wait to explore the ruin. Arriving in the meadow, I stumble upon a “For Sale” sign. Does this mean the entire meadow is for sale, including the ruin?
It’s a vast piece of land, covered in weeds, stones, and ancient olive trees. Just a four-minute walk through the overgrowth from our house. Luckily, I had my hiking boots shipped over, so I bravely navigated the uneven ground, dodging rocks and holes, making my way to the site. Upon arrival, I am deeply moved. The beauty of the masonry. The old stones stacked so skillfully, forming solid walls. Here and there, I peek inside through the gaps. And then, there it is: a decayed wooden door, its rusty padlock falling apart, inviting me in.
"Enter, enter, and awaken the little princess."
This is a line from the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. The thorn bushes that had overgrown the castle whispered these words to the prince when he finally arrived. As a child, I played a record of this story over and over until it was worn out and scratched. This line resurfaced from my fairy-tale memory bank the moment I saw the ruin beckoning me.
And so, I step inside.
All around me nothing but weeds and stones. The walls are still standing tall and proud. There is no roof. The sun warms my body freely as I admire the craftsmanship of this old house. Such a beautiful stacking technique. How old could this place be?
Outside, I can faintly make out the outline of a wall that once formed an enclosure, and is now overgrown with weeds, creating a hidden courtyard. There’s even an old oven where bread was once baked.
Oh, how happy I feel here! Why is that? That’s not so important right now. What matters is this overwhelming sense of peace and tranquility in this ancient place. In the distance, I hear dogs barking. A cat strolls by, curious. I spot two large, newly built villas nearby..
If I had the money, I’d buy this ruin with the land, clear out the weeds, gather the scattered stones, put a roof on it, build a small kitchen, plaster the inner walls with lime, install water and electricity, and move in…
Or perhaps I could use it as a practice space: a place for conversations, meditations, and healing sessions. What a sacred, restorative place this is.
But first, I’ll grab a cushion and clear some of the weeds. I’m just going to squat this place! Yeah!