My earliest memories

Some people say "We are what we remember". This is one of the mottos of a US project called Exploratorium, which collected the earliest memories of thousands of American citizens.

So I thought you guys would like to do just that too, you know, post on this blog some of the things you remember as young kids, as vividly, evocatively as possible. 

Leticia:

Smelling the wet soil in summer in my village, while I was going for a walk when the sun went down.

Looking at the mountains full of snow, and starting playing with my younger sister.

Drinking Coca Cola when it was banned for me.

Cuchi:

Looking at the clouds with my mum, trying to find funny patterns.

Listening to an ancient gramophone playing old songs in my grandma’s home, in the company of my big family.

Smelling lilacs in my aunt’s garden.

Meme:

Being on the beach, under my young parents' protection, watching  the waves coming and going steadily.

Digging a huge hole, where I unsuccessfully tried to keep the salty sea water.

And, above all, building sandcastles, always with the help of my patient beloved father.

Enrique Gonzalez:

Touching the soft ears of my teddy bear.


Listening to the annoying sound of my bike´s little wheels.

Smelling my mother´s perfume when she held me in her arms.

Looking at the ants in my school´s playground with my friends.

Eating candy cotton.

Having fun in summer afternoons in the countryside, watering the plants.

Carlos:

Listening to my father's favourite hits early on Saturday mornings. He used to start with "Get up, stand up" by Bob Marley and continue with The Beatles, Supertramp, Dire Straits and many more! Then me and my brother would dance with him.

Looking at the sea, just arrived in La Orotava (Tenerife), where we had moved, and listening to my father's first mobile phone ringing. Someone was calling to tell him that the ship with all of our things had sunk in the middle of the ocean. All my toys were spread all over the sea. I was four.

Feeling the wind caressing my face and my skin as I tried to skate faster and faster to jump higher. I wanted to have a rest on a comfortable cloud.

Guess who ...

Spending long hours with my cousin Estebi, who is six / seven years older than me and was in those days my play companion, kind of the brother I never had. He would show me his endless collections of Spanish comics, especially Capitán Trueno and Jabato, who truly became my first childhood heroes.

Look at the stupid fringe I used to have ... gosh, I remember how much I hated it! Then, I wonder why I look so serious in the photo. Probably because of that weird school smock I was wearing, I guess. Those were the days! 

Chani:

Listening to the deafening brave waters flowing into the Alagón River and crashing furiously against the rocks.

Smelling the dense green forest in spring, when flowers shedded their sweetest fragrance.
 
Touching the smooth, shiny hair of my darling, loyal dog Tito.

Belén:

Going to bed very early on the magical Three Kings’ Night, after leaving my polished shoes under the Christmas tree full of coloured lights.

I tried to fall asleep very fast, even though I was so anxious just thinking of the next morning.

I jumped out of bed when it was still dark, and rushed into my parents’ room shouting for joy. 

I remember having goose-bumps and I could hardly breathe when I saw all those presents under the tree.