The earthy simplicity of a familiar perfect stranger told me I would soon find myself having a similar talk with this kind, round man.
Who knew a blacksmith shop would hold such wonders? Therein we found art, amiability and promised adventure. Stepping out the door was like the tumble out of the wardrobe. Unless otherwise opposed I knew we would be back.
Lunch was got. A return visit was planned. Amongst all the other goings on we wanted to accomplish it seemed that Tuesday morning would be the best day to go find the clay people. Saturday morning, before market shopping, found us walking the few blocks uphill from our house to speak with the artist.
World cup fever had a few dozen guys glued to the tiny T.V. set on the porch next to the dusty yard when we again poked our heads through the open gate door. This time accompanied by my oldest daughter we looked even more conspicuous. A grinning man came out from the group and greeted. It was Fernando, genuinely happy to see us again. Arrangements were made. Tuesday was fine. Eight AM we would come and get him. We would go and find the clay workers. According to Fernando we needed to make it out there early when they were still occupied in trade before lunch commenced followed by a few drinks and the siesta. I agreed.
Then he asked if we wanted to see his other sculptures. This proposition was met with ready intrigue. He asked permission to go get the photos. Scurrying happily away to the burrow of a workshop he rummaged around a bit then produced the prized albums. Blowing and brushing the soot and dust away he handed us the yellowed pages.
Franziskus by Fernando Crespo
Image after image showed us a lifetime of metal work all over the world. More than once he had been to Europe, commissioned to do pieces. From small creations to immense structures, from women on motorbikes to saints with boars, we saw the log of his work. He proudly told the stories of where the pieces were and how they came about.
Then I saw it. The Pegasus! Where is this one? I asked imagining far away places. About 5 minutes from here. Really?! I can take you to see it on Tuesday. Really?! He laughed a bit as I had a hard time concealing my excitement.
Thus far Fernando Crespo seemed to be a trustworthy man. We left his shop once again with heightened expectation of what was to come: clay work for my mom and a Pegasus for me. I just hoped he would follow through and not let us down next week in the breaking of the day the Tuesday next.
The walk down the hill was met with other fun things: a garage sale (rare in these parts), interesting graffiti, and birds to buy. All through the market shopping I thought of what needed to be done to ready ourselves for Tuesday.
To be continued…
on 
on 
on 
on 
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
This could go on for FOREVER!!! LOVE it!
Is there a way to print this whole saga when you are finished spinning the tale? It is such a gift to me to have you write this. Big THANKS! I love it!
Love you
Mom
You are winding a great tale with amazing skill. When I was young, the local newspaper, The Omaha World Herald, provided Charlotte’s Web in installments. I anxiously looked forward to reading each new episode. I’ll be looking forward to the next, even though I might have some idea of the expected outcome.
oh, wonderful! you got to see photos of all his work. a lifetime of art. whats this guys name? can i google him?
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