«To reach 105 years you have to let them pass» | The truth

Juan Caravaca's life has been long and full of work. He never tires of saying it: “I worked between 10 and 15 hours a day to support my family.” He tried so hard that he saw the sea for the first time when he was 60 years old.

Now, from longevity he only has one wish: “May death be sweet, may it be good.” We don't have to think about the past anymore either. «I have gone through many calamities. “The war was fatal.” When she looks back, she remembers a small Murcia, with very few houses.

With a privileged memory, Juan Caravaca assures that “he remembers everything.” Son of Francisco and María Antonia, he is the sixth of eight children: Paco, Pepe, Ricardo, Antonio, Victoria, Juan, Ángel and Perete. He had two other brothers, but they died.

He lived with his family in the orchard, surrounded by animals and two piles of land. He remembers that his father was in the Philippine War, he was one of the last in the Philippines and when he returned he was sent to Cuba from where he “came back singing.” In Murcia he left Juan Caravaca's mother, Doña María Antonia, at home, raising all of her children.

Juan Caravaca studied at the La Albatalía school. From those years he fondly remembers his teacher Don Ángel, who had gray hair at the age of 70, but continued teaching because he could not retire. He was Galician and had a special character. Juan could not finish his studies because he was always sick. He suffered from ulcers and malaria, but the disease did not mark his childhood. He confesses that as a child all he did was have fun.

When he grew up, Juan Caravaca worked in agriculture and in a rubber sole manufacturing factory, but very soon he dedicated himself to the hospitality industry. He ran a bar, but at the age of 16 he was called up and went to the Civil War.

During his military service, he met his wife, María Luisa, in Espinardo. She was 22 years old. After four years of dating they ended up passing through the Vicariate. By then he had already finished military service.

At the end of the war, Juan Caravaca went to live in Alguazas and worked in the Gafas bar for about four years. He then returned to Murcia, working as a waiter at the Tudanca bar for another 25 years. At that point he changed his life and dedicated himself to the perfume trade until his retirement.

When he turned 28, Juan Caravaca had his first daughter, Marita, in 1948. Two years later, in 1950, Gloria was born, and in 1960 his third and last child, Francisco, came into the world.

Antonio Machín's tip

One of the anecdotes he likes to tell the most is when he met Antonio Machín at El Oriental, a place where Juan worked as a waiter. There the singer appeared with a mini orchestra, and when he served him, Machín was so happy that he tipped him 5 duros.

Juan Caravaca entered the Montepinar residence on August 1, 2020, the year of the pandemic. He introduced himself saying that he was 1 year old, because at that time he had already turned 101, and from 100, the count starts again.

At the residence he usually spends the day in his room, 311, on the second floor, where he enjoys social gatherings with his partner Santiago. In the mornings after breakfast, he heads with his wheelchair to the gym. He does some cycling to strengthen his legs and practices self-passive exercises to strengthen his arms so he can continue to stay in shape and lead a healthy life.

Afterwards he usually goes out to the garden to look at the therapeutic garden and see if it needs water. Otherwise, he goes up to his room, sits next to the large windows that overlook the urbanization to observe the views, read the newspaper, and wait for meal time. His favorite dish is eggs and chips. What he likes the least is the fish.

At his age, Juan Caravaca signs up for the residence's excursions, goes to the Monday afternoon movie sessions and doesn't miss the Pasapalabra on Wednesdays. Dominoes and caliche are his favorite board games and it is common to see him at dances.

Three children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren

Juan Caravaca has lived a lot, but what he is most proud of is the family he has created with his 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He is very homely and receives visitors practically every day. His people take him out into the garden to walk and sunbathe and update him on what's happening at home.

Last December, he was proclaimed King of the Residence. He will hold that title throughout this year.