Laura Lavayén was born in Barlioche, Province of Rio Negro, Argentina, where she

lived as a girl and as a teenager. Among the many circumstances experienced

during her childhood, the author relates the lack of understanding, especially

from her mother, who never agreed with her bahavior. The old ranch in the

outskirts of Bariloche - where the family lived and where her father was a

foreman - was one of her nightmares. Not far from the place where she used to

play with her brothers and sister, they found broken remains that probably

belonged to the former inhabitant in the area. Later on, they learn that they

had belonged to a German Baron named Ludwig von Bülow. The Baron was a fanatic

and kept repeating that, if Germany lost the war, he would commit suicide. He

did. The Baron starved to death after destroying all his belongings brought from

Germany. The only things left, very close to Laura's home, were a pine tree -

also brought from Germany - and his grave surrounded by an iron railing. Soon

after the Baron's death, people said that his spirit wandered in the area and

this was a recurring nightmare for Laura. She also relates her struggle in an

attempt to complete her primary school, living with relatives with whom her

relationship was also extremely traumatic.