My first three days

July 8th-July 10th

Our day starts at 7:00 AM and we work until about 9:00 and then if we want a quick breakfast we eat. I had learned the night before on the way in that there is a workaway couple here. They are staying in their van on the property. Their names are To and Kees and they are from Holland. They started their journey 2 months ago and plan on doing it for a year, like me. They both know a lot about biodynamic farming. They are doing this for research for a community they are starting. Kees is a builder also and they are working on a bathroom for the workaway’s. They will be moving on in a week and I will miss them. It am sure it will get easier but they are my first. There is a full time gardener, Cristiano. He seems very nice but his English isn’t good so we don’t talk much. The mornings are nice but it starts to heat up and by noon it is in the 90’s. I was worried about no air conditioning but I have been ok with out it. The little rechargeable fan has been nice at night. My favorite thing so far is our family style lunch everyday. We all eat together at a big table outside. Some days some of the kids come. The grandson had a friend with him the other day and she knows 9 languages. I will have this at my next home. A big table where everyone can come for lunch and we talk and laugh. No one has a phone and it is so nice. To said every farm is different. A biodynamic garden doesn’t have mounds. The width of the rows vary. No chemicals are used and the plants are mixed together so it can appear quite messy and beautiful at the same time. We water and weed and leave the weeds between the rows to dry out. They become straw like and hold the moisture for the plants.

After our morning garden work To and Kees work on the bathroom and for the first two days I helped Dario. We folded and put away some giant nets that they lay on the ground under trees to catch the fruit, olives or whatever kind of tree it is. Dario and I also started a fence at the beginning of the driveway. We built a frame on the yurt doors for the nets to attached to. On the third day I bottled the honey that was harvested before I arrived. I am sad I missed the harvest as I wanted to conquer that fear. The dried nettle that was hanging in our little kitchen, not the family kitchen, I stripped the leaves off the branches and crushed them for tea and other uses. it is called the stinging nettle plant because touches the leaves will feel like getting stung and is very itchy, like touching insulation. After awhile Basila noticed my discomfort and brought me some gloves. The grandson, Francesco and his friend started helping me but quickly ran away screaming that it itched. They stripped off their clothes and grabbed the hose. At lunch the family said it usually doesn’t itch after it dries. Anyway I worked after lunch to finish the job so I didn’t have to touch it the next day.

Basila is the cook and house keeper. She also does not speak English so we do a lot of sign language and use the translation app. She is lovely and I think she likes me. She keeps telling the family that I am good. The thing is yes you can just do the required work and be done. But there is always something to be done. This is my home, for now, and I need to do things without being ask. I must participate. Everyone cleans the kitchen. If the floor needs sweeping, do it. I am here to learn and for the cultural exchange. I am not doing this to just travel and see the world . I want to see the world differently. I also have always been a hard worker. I do feel my first experience is what I was looking for and has been excellent so far. Let’s Go!

Dario did take me to Grosseto with him and Elisabetta. I had my first Pizza, wine and gelato. The pizza was good, I am sure I will have better. The wine and gelato were excellent.

The family is Elena and Francesco. They have three beautiful adult daughters Laura, Enrica and Olivia. Laura’s husband is Marcello and they have a son Francesco. Olivia’s boyfriend is Joshua. The son is Filippo and he has a daughter Frosta. Basila is the cook/cleaner. Cristiano is the full time gardener. Dario is a builder and maintence man. Jean Carlos is the mechanic and driver of all the big equipment. He looks like a pirate and always has a cigar in his mouth. Quite the character. The animals are two cats Silvestro and Tata. Dario has Elisabetta and he is bringing home a new dog Ambree today. The donkeys, one horse and chickens. And of course, To, Kees and I for now.