I could become a shepherd.

I discovered a remote village today. And I mean remote. Very remote. In the densely forested mountainous country outside Carbonia in Sardinia. I don't know much about the place. Called Sirri. Other than it has no businesses. No bar. No restaurant. No gasoline station. And just 38 inhabitants, or so I'm told in a google search. I saw about 5 of the residents walking down streets between mostly ramshackle buildings. Homes, I guess. But others were empty and very dilapidated. Unfit for habitation. I wanted to interview the people I saw. But I don't speak Italian. And my true love, who was with me, didn't want to serve as interpreter. Guess she wanted to protect their privacy. She didn't even want me to take their pictures without permission. But I did anyway. Because I'm a writer. A journalist. I just go ahead and do what I want. Stick in my nose. Even where it's not wanted. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Anyway, that meant I had to use my imagination. I would have asked why they live in such a farflung place. I suppose because it's away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. And quiet. And what about entertainment? I suppose it's entertaining just to walk around and look at the solitary grandeur of the scenery. Enough to know that one lives in Paradise. My true love and I walked to the village. Took us about two and a half hours. And we expected to find food and drink. And we didn't bring along any water to quench our thirst. I saw a middle-aged lady outside her home. And I suggested that we converse with her about the village, and that maybe she'd offer us a drink. Maybe even wine. But that we could settle for water, too. But my true love balked at that idea. So we eventually went on our way. Still thirsty. Meanwhile, I concluded that it was a worthwhile day. That I had captured a feel for this wonderful village. Without even talking to a soul. Once again, using my eyes. And recording what I saw. With my camera. And thinking I just had a wonderful experience. In a remote corner of the world. Where I could easily live happily. Forever. Even if I don't speak the native language. I saw lots of sheep. So maybe I could become a shepherd. --Jim Broede