Why Mel Chose Jimenez

I think Mel chose that rundown old place as his "castle." He was King of his castle. Not much of a castle, but he wanted to live on that small patch of land with the woman he loved. He probably knew her, but she either moved on or couldn't wait for him. Perhaps he found out she had settled down and realized he missed his window. So to drown out that bitter reality he created a simple, yet affectionate fantasy. It's a dream for some folks to be free of the perceived constraints of congested urban living and live in blissful yet genteel poverty with their one true love. Mel had that dream and he tried as best as he could to live it.....In death. Being buried in a certain place gives special meaning to people. Mel knew that if he was buried in Jimenez, his "castle," he could at least have a small piece of his own paradise in death, despite not achieving it in life.