I arrived in Massat somewhat by chance, 20 years ago now. Discovering this little alluring corner at the end of earth was a real BOLT OF LIGHTNING … The animals, the plants, the people… and I only had my rucksack. And my dreams. I really felt that I could set down my bag here. Also that I could build on my dreams …. Plus I learned what was meant by “terre courage” (“land of the brave”) … the geography, the economics, the climate, the life here … I got to know that firewood warms you up several times over. Moreover it’s never flat here ….. and besides there is an incredible wealth of personalities and individual talent to discover here. Agriculture, eco-construction, cooperative help, cultural activities of all sorts.... not much in the way of personal wealth though, but enough will and energy to move mountains …. And social networks that makes what exists elsewhere pale into significance ….And then all the children we’ve known since they were little, who we’ve seen grow up, who leave to visit “these pale other places” and who return to put their bags down never to leave again, and who further nourish our dreams …. The feeling of belonging to an extended family, with all its joys, its trials, its loves and its pains … a truly beautiful corner of humanity!