Neighboring fences

February 26, 2013

As Guay put it, “Good fences make good neighbors.” As a matter of fact the thin cattle wire, chicken mesh, wrought iron posts, concrete walls and wooden slats make it exceedingly difficult to communicate with the community members. The savage dogs that wag their tales while incensed barking create an impossible barrier to the inhabitants within said fence. I walk the undulated sandy streets of the bairro, greeting the infuriated dogs as we pass by, petting the horses and cooing at the white rabbit chomping on grass behind its criss cross slats. One bare piece of land houses nesting small white and tan owls who burrow into the dirt. Several partitioned-off areas breach houses where grasses are calf high and native plants take over the terrain. Some of those parcels include a guard dog or two, shelter which may mean an actual dog house, lean-to or tarp to protect the beast that defends the land. Most likely a bitch since the female dogs are known for their better security behavior.

I saunter past large homes that appear to house an entire troupe of Vontraps to eight- plexes linked together each with their own individual pad of lawn sporting the proverbial vicious dogs. Garbage bags hang from the fences, set in a separate unit near the curb or collected in a box which is incorporated into the wrought iron. The trash is mostly intact yet often escapes the square and undulates down to litter the street with unsightly food stuff and indistinguishable wrappings. The dogs who manage to get out of jail rip thru the thin plastic to gobble the remains and sometimes inhaling the sack itself. Like goats they nibble thru tins, thick milk bags and slurp up bread ends.

Dangerous to park cars outside of the safety net of the good neighbor fence. Smashed back windows with glass scattered in a circle around the vehicle hug the side of the street the following morning.

Cable dishes precariously straddle the side or top of the houses. Two significant companies battle for territory in the large area. Bundling is popular since house phones and internet services have become dominant factors in middle class families.

A smattering of small business appear thru the neighborhoods here and there. A surf board repair shop, second-hand clothing and other gently used items in the front room a street or two down the road, full service restaurant, hair salon and waxing, locksmith and tailor provide practical services.  

The immediate neighbor to the left has an avocado tree which we can take advantage of since no one is currently living in the house! Climbing over the fence to rescue the fruit makes me a good neighbor.