El préstamo de la difunta

In a remote valley tucked between the soaring Andes, the rhythm of daily life is dictated by the annual pilgrimage to Salta, where the revered “Señor del Milagro” is carried through the streets. When the humble arriero Rosalindo Ovejero volunteers to join the procession, his modest home becomes a hub of petitions, each neighbor offering a small coin and a fervent prayer for his safe return. The narrative captures the colorful customs of the journey—late‑night dances, impromptu verses, and the clatter of mule‑laden caravans—while hinting at the waning fortunes of once‑prosperous traders who have vanished from the village.

Through Rosalindo’s eyes we glimpse a community bound by faith and survival, where poverty coexists with deep devotion and the harsh mountain climate tests every traveler. As he prepares for the trek, the villagers’ stories of miracles and personal loss weave a tapestry of hope and desperation. The novel’s opening promises a vivid portrait of Andean culture, the weight of tradition, and the quiet heroism of ordinary people embarking on a sacred, yet arduous, passage.