Arganza, a municipality in the province of León, Spain, is now home to an unlikely pair: Paola, a Brazilian national, and Ricky, an Italian. Six years ago, they traded the demanding pace of London life for a simpler existence near a largely abandoned village in the Castilian countryside. Their journey to this quiet life began on the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage that sparked a desire for a life free from economic pressures and closer to nature.
The couple’s decision to leave London, where they shared a flat with five others, wasn’t a sudden one. As they shared in a video on their YouTube channel, Monxileros, the Camino de Santiago proved to be a pivotal experience. It prompted them to re-evaluate their priorities and seek a life less ordinary. They were drawn to the untouched landscapes of León province, bordering Galicia, Asturias, Palencia, and Zamora, a region steeped in history from Roman occupation to the influence of the Knights Templar, as detailed in a guide to León on the Camino Francés route.
Today, Paola and Ricky live in a yurta, a traditional nomadic dwelling. These structures, composed of a circular wooden frame covered in felt and secured with ropes, are easily assembled and disassembled, utilizing natural and renewable materials. UNESCO recognizes the craftsmanship and cultural significance of yurta construction, noting its importance to the nomadic traditions of Central Asian communities.
Life in a yurta offers unexpected benefits, the couple reports. They can heat their home with wood in just five minutes during the winter months. While the felt walls can be noisy during rainfall, they find it a comfortable and self-sufficient way of life. Their commitment to sustainability extends to generating their own electricity through solar panels, powering lights, charging devices, and running essential appliances.
Their days are centered around self-sufficiency and continuous improvement of their living space. Food comes primarily from their own garden, supplemented by occasional trips to nearby towns for necessities. Water is collected from rainfall and stored in barrels for drinking, showering, and irrigation. They’ve even adopted a composting toilet system, using sawdust, straw, and plant waste to aid decomposition.
The transition to this lifestyle wasn’t without its adjustments. They rely on visits to friends to get haircuts and recharge larger batteries. But for Paola, the move away from city life was a liberation. She describes a feeling of being trapped in the urban environment, where time is consumed by work and commuting, leaving little room for enjoyment. They found that simplifying their lives and becoming more self-reliant was surprisingly straightforward.
The couple hopes their story will inspire others to consider alternative ways of living. They welcome visitors to their unique home, eager to demonstrate that a life disconnected from conventional norms is not only possible but also deeply fulfilling. Their YouTube channel, Monxileros, offers a glimpse into their daily routines and philosophy.
The Camino de Santiago, which initially inspired their move, remains a popular route for pilgrims. The stretch from León to Santiago de Compostela covers approximately 305.6 kilometers and typically takes 13 days to complete, requiring a good level of fitness. Travelers can customize their journey using various Camino planners.
Paola and Ricky’s story is a testament to the growing appeal of a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle. Their embrace of a nomadic dwelling and self-sufficiency in the province of León offers a compelling example of how one couple found freedom and fulfillment by leaving the city behind. They are currently focused on expanding their garden and improving their off-grid systems as they continue to embrace their life in the Spanish countryside.
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