Peppers

Another day of riding that began in heavy fog with the air soaked in morning dew, which slowly cleared into a summer day with perfect riding temperatures. Along the route, El Camino mainly provides small, picturesque towns that sit on or at the foot of hills. I rolled along a small gravel path into a quaint and quiet town, one without much traffic, just the tranquility of village outskirts and the first few houses. And then, just as I stopped to catch my breath, a strong, intoxicating scent of sweet burning wafted through the air. I followed the scent like a magnet to the main path, where a huge grill stood outside a large warehouse. On it, red peppers were burning slowly, roasting to perfection. I stood there and watched two men operating the grill with the skill of artists, rolling the charred red spheres in precise and uniform rows.

Without words, an immediate connection formed between us. One of them spotted me, smiled broadly, and invited me into the warehouse. Suddenly, I found myself surrounded by an extended family of eight, sitting around a large table piled high with half-charred roasted peppers. They pointed warmly to an empty chair and asked in sign language if I would join them. I sat down, and for a whole hour, I became part of the team. I peeled peppers gently, shoulder to shoulder with people I had never met. Between peeling, a silent but rich conversation took place: questions about Israel, about the children, about my wife, about what I do for a living, and why I came here. A whole hour of shared work, silly and innocent laughter, and filling jars with these amazing peppers. When I asked if they were selling them, they smiled dismissively – it was all for the home and the extended family. When I left to continue my journey, they gave me a gift: a jar full of roasted peppers, a living testament to pure quality time with a happy and kind-hearted family.

These moments remind us that the real ride is not just about reaching the destination, but the willingness to stop when the right scent tempts you to explore a little further. There is something very magical in our desire as people to preserve traditions, which constitute the most authentic connection to your roots as a human being. Through them, we understand that roots are not just a distant past or land to stand on; they are a living anchor that gives meaning to everyday life. It is easy to imagine that this family was waiting exactly for this day, when everyone would sit together and peel roasted peppers in the very same ritual, just as they did in the generations before them – passing on not only the taste and the craft, but also the sense of belonging and security that belongs to those who know where they come from. This is a reminder that there are things that remain eternal and cross borders, regardless of the time and place where you find yourself in the course of a journey.