The Limes dweller.

Romans used the word “Limes” to refer to their frontiers, which they fortified to defend themselves against possible invaders. They populated the place with soldiers and their families, that settle down in the area attracting all kinds of traders on both sides of the own Limes. Soon those little settlements became in a place where the culture of both sides melted, naturally, originating a society between what it was and what it promised to be.

Hadrian's Wall. Limes of the Roman Empire in Britania.

Knowing that, I can say that I’m “The Limes dweller”.

What that means? It means a lot of silence, at least in this part of the story. I suppose I should begin for how I get here, who am I, and why I’ve stayed here. But nothing that I could tell you will satisfy your curiosity.

I can say that I came walking, like to everywhere. The steps brought me slowly, without the knowledge of where I was going, but being tenacious. As for who I am, I’ve already answered that. Forgive me if this is a vague presentation, with no names and surnames, but they are useless here where I am. I am the Limes dweller, and this is all what I’ve been since my steps brought me to this place. Why I remain here? That is a more complex question, and I’d like to answer it clearly: I don’t know. Many people have been here and they decided to come back, others are just passing, they saw what they must saw and keep walking. Obviously I have not gone yet and I don’t know why.

But I can answer a simple question. Where am I?

I lay in the Limes between the cities of Ύβρις and Αρετή. Both of them are in the same valley, separated by a tiny stone wall, where is a forgotten small village, the one that became my home. I got there a foggy day, And none of both cities could be seen, so I inspected the village where the Wall came from and, at the same time, the way by I came from. I lit a fire to warm me up and acommodate myself under the roof of the house that I would fix to live in. They didn´t take too much to find me, and I am now their “kind and curious” neighbour. They named me by my current name, and as it didn´t look false, I must say that I keep it.

However, during my stay there I discovered a weird simbiosis between those cities that surrounded me. And what their habittants wanted to teach me just make me fell determinated to stay and live here.

By one side were the impetuous habitants of Ύβρις. They are a curious and capable neighbours that spent their lifes facing every second as they like. I must say that they look like to me, at the beginning, like a chaotic society. And in some way they are and always will.

In their streets you can find slackers, alcoholics, thiefs, pickpockets and all kind of people from whom you should keep away. Nevertheless, all of them carry some passion in their blood. They scream to their leaders in the market, enjoy as no one else a party and a dance, they create inventions that all of us should be surprised and fear at the sme time, they fight to kill for every loaf of bread, even those who have enough do the same. Their houses raise till the sky in so tempestuous ways that their architects claim for more money than the most of the people could get, they denounce and arrest each other to avoid those who stand against them, blackmailing and threatening if it is needed, and they are extremely proud in everything they do, in every second of their lifes. With them one can see the human spirit became longer and wider till almost to infinity. For every bad choice they take, there is another that brings them the opportunity to create something amazingly gorgeous. In conclusion, they are that kind of people who wouldn´t care to break the reality to see what is hidden beyond, simply because they can do it.

On the other side of the valley is located its twin: Αρετή. What to say about its people? When I started walking among them I suspected, and I had a bad feeling about them. All of them walked with a steady gaze, the didn’t doubt about looking at you straight without looking down, they studied you and they do without any concern at all.

         But the first impression leave much to be desired. They are strong people, yes, curious but demure, organised and reliable of their actions untill the point when one doesn’t know how to act without offend them. And even if you do, they will understand you and will act wisely accordingly.

         Streets are clean, not quiet, but you can not hear anyone disturbing the order. Their leaders are chosen and judged every week by every person in the community, they are advised and discussed in their functions. Merchants don’t play with the Price of the food, but they distribute and cooperate with each others, always without pressing their fellows, because they could do the same with their own products. Their schools don’t teach just sciences, but they are in charge of provide and teach games, jobs, sports and everything that their students, of all ages, want to do or understand. Everyone is a active part protecting the city, cleaning it, organasing and distributing it. Even streets and blocks are organised to look in harmony. They are demure and thoughfull in their actions, even the kids. They preffer stopping to understand something before acting, the don’t doubt asking for an advice if it is needed or to be judged by others in order to realise if they had been acting rigth. They are, by their own words, a sober-headed, organised, thoghfull and free people who has learned that understanding is the best way to let each other live.

And me? What am I doing? I take advantage of this village to live. I’m knowing them step by step. They invited me to spend my time with them, but both have decided that, if someone wants to live among them, invitations don’t work at all, that oneself must decide it by his own.

What do prevent me from doing that? My nature. As they said, I’m the Limes dweller, Limes is this village, this wall and this road. It’s a little bit messy, but you can live on it. I like my neighbours, and I suppose they are part of my path. Being close to them helps me to discern where are going my steps, if some day I decide to stop dewlling here.

Meanwhile, it seems that I will spent my time jumping this wall too many times, hoping to understand a little more of this people, and a lot more of myself.