AMACon 3: Oikos - Home

Holocene - The Best Friend

The description in the website did not give justice to the magnificence of the place.

It is a 20 hectares' beach front property; the house is not intimidating big rather a cozy 4-bedroom bungalow. The size is not overwhelming at all; it was big enough to accommodate a familiy of 5 or six but there is this warmth homey feel to it that you won't feel intimidated by it.

One could easily see that instead of impressing with size and extravagance, the owner is most concerned in making sure that the occupants will feel at home and at ease with the place.

If Maine was at awe with the pictures from its website, she fell in love with the actual place. If it will not cause a serious dent to her savings, she does not mind staying there for a long period of time.

True to it's description, the place not too far from city just a few kilometers actually that she can do a quick grocery run if she wants to. But it is secluded and isolated enough it provides its inhabitants their much needed privacy.

The property is well kept as well, the flora and fauna in the garden has all the kinds imaginable and much more. And don't get her started on the beach, it has the perfect view of the sunset – her favorite part of the day. She could spend her whole day just lounging at the beach and she will never complain for the rest of her life.

With a place as beautiful and as peaceful as this one, Maine does not need a couple of weeks to recuperate. But hey, beggars can't be choosers. She was given two weeks break and she is milking it for all it's worth.

"So here are the keys to the house and to your bedroom. The property has a total of 3 guest rooms all with their own bathroom. The master's bedroom as you have read in the website is off limits, but the rest of the house is accessible." The kindly housekeeper handed over to her the house keys. "The sunroom opens directly to the garden while the library is overlooking the beach. The fridge is fully stocked, should you need anything else you can use the intercom, I'll be staying at the cottage a few meters down the road."

Maine was not really listening though; she is busy plotting in her head all the activities (or non activities) she could do for the next two weeks. She could spend her days in the beach soaking the sun, then she can probably go explore and admire the beauty of the garden, her nights can be spent in the library going all through the amazing collection of books that the owner has amassed.

Or whatever, she's on a vacation she should stop all these planning. Now, she's really excited to get this whole thing started.

"Thanks Joseph! This place is really beautiful. Those pictures from the website does not give it justice at all."

Joseph was the elderly caretaker of the property. They didn't have much time to talk yet but from the short time that they got to know each other, she found out that he has been with the family for decades now.

When the owners left, he was tasked to take care of the property where they vacation to from time to time. That's until 3 years ago when the old Faulkerson couple had passed away from old age.

Their own living heir then decided to rent out the house for vacationers like her.

"Thank you. The owner is actually very hands on with keeping this property spic and span. They spend their weekends here from time to time whenever they are here in the country. But renting it out for the rest of the year. OK, I'll leave you be. I'll just be at the cottage a few hundred meters away from the house if you need me."

Maine's eyes followed Joseph's outstretched hands that are pointing to this quaint cottage where he spends most of his days. It's not too far from the house but far enough to give the occupants of the house the privacy they need.