Part of the donativo experience is a shared meal prepared by the hospitalero (host).
Paulo, our host, with the aid of several of the French people staying here, made our dinner tonight. A simple meal of a rice & chicken casserole, tossed green salad, bread and wine. There was lots of everything and a special sponge cake-like dessert. With dessert, Paulo brought out some homemade orange liqueur made from trees on the property.
It was a lovely evening. Of the 13 of us staying here five speak French almost exclusively, two only spanish. Five of us converse in English (Dan-New Zealand, Meelis-Estonia, Marsha-Croatia, Eda-Denmark & me). Then there’s Lena: born in France, lives on the British Isle of Jersey and married to a Portuguese. She is able to communicate with everyone and helps keep the conversation going.
Meelis pouring wine for the table