chapter 1-Julie

In chapter one we are told that the grandfather no longer lives. He was old and died of an illness, but also died away from home. No one knows where the place he died at is located at. We are also told he lied about his last whereabouts. Natalia,our main character, is also away from home on her way to another state to give shots to those who can afford them with her friend and work partner, Zora. While on a restroom break at the border line, Natalia calls her grandmother and that is when we are told about the grandfather and our story begins. Natalia is told how her grandfather has been robed of his fourty days. Fourty days of no one touching a loved one who´s passed away´s belongings thus keeping their soul from wondering off into the unknown. We are also told how the towns are broken ever since the war. Everything is not as peaceful as before. Once at their destenation it is nightime, Natalia and Zora spend the night at a friend´s home. There we are introdused to ¨the diggers¨, people who dig in the vineyard. We are also told the youngsters there suffer from a strange illness and carry a small pouch around their necks. The chapter closes with the owner of the house´s parrot singing ¨wash the bones, bring the body, leave the heart behind¨ leaving us to wonder what is this and why does the parrot repeat it?