“One stifling midday I decided to climb to the castle to get some air and perhaps a view of the sea. Hovels scattered the hillside, stacked one above the other, and women sat on the doorsteps fanning themselves with cardboard. They flushed bright gold teeth when they saw me coming and called out friendly invitations. Then one of them beckoned me indoors and offered me her giant daughter, who lay sprawled on a huge brass bed. The sight of the girl and the bed, packed into that tiny room, was like some familiar ‘Alice’ nightmare. I could only smile and stutter, clutching the doorpost and pretending to not understand. ‘Love!’ cried the mother, shaking the bed til it rattled, while the girl bounced slowly like a basking whale. I complimented the woman and made some excuse, saying that it was too early in the day. ‘Light of heaven!’ she cried, ‘what else is there to do?’ Fortunately it was impossible even to get into the room.” - East to Malaga from As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee
See original: "One stifling midday I decided to climb to the castle to get some air and perhaps a view of the sea...."
