Watch a YouTube Video

 Watch a YouTube Video

This week snuck up on me! All of a sudden it was Sunday and time for another post. I guess that is what time does when you start to get into the swing of things and learn the natural routines of life in a new location. It has been full of more tasks (of course) to learn how to do/figure out. Lots of physical labor, feeding/caring for animals, and finding a balance of our own space and comfort here. The theme this past week was “Do you know how to do this? No. Watch a YouTube video.” And that we did. 

Some activities this week included:

• Cleaning the chimney (Connor did not fall off the roofs! Phew!) 
• Moving the pigs to another fenced area (was a sweet goodbye from them living in and under our shed area all the time)
• Fixing a sledgehammer that broke at the wooden handle 
• Cleaning out dog kennels (second grossest thing we have done here; chicken coop cleaning took number 1)
• Moving and sorting the sheep for slaughter (was very interesting watching a sheep herding dog do its work and to learn the ways of Temple Grandin for the best approach to moving animals) 
• Trekking a fence and massive log down a trail to the river for a new gate (it was giving Les Miserables 24601 vibes)
• Trenching more roads with pickax and shovel
• Cutting and gathering more firewood for the winter 
• More babysitting and playing some Catan with the kids that returned from their vacation (I lost! But I’m learning the rules finally) 

Another big theme over the last few days has been the concept of space and being on other people’s schedules. This was a component that we did not think about all that much prior to moving to another location and volunteering. But of course, we are used to being on our own schedules, doing what we feel like doing when we feel like it. This includes making a meal/eating, resting, working etc. It has been interesting to have a varying work schedule day to day in which we are not sure what we are doing most days until that morning. It requires great flexibility to be able to be fluid in what they are asking of us each day. Secondly, it feels like it has hit us right in the face that we have zero space to ourselves. Because of the cold, it is challenging to hang out in our “room” or outside all that much. The hut with the other volunteers is the only space that has accessible heat/fire and food/kitchen. The options are bundle up and be in our room, be in the hut with the fire, or be outside moving/working so we aren’t cold. The hut is a small space and feels quite cramped to have four grown adults in there. It is especially difficult when we all have a day off over the weekends and everyone is trying to get their “rest and alone time” they are desiring. All that to say, we got to go into town for an hour or two today for a brief drink and food at a restaurant with just the two of us - and WOW you really take for granted what a glass of wine and some food at a restaurant outside of the farm does to refresh the soul. 

We feel that our “bosses” are starting to understand our strengths (as individuals) for the jobs they are asking of us. For example, I am getting the opportunity to babysit more frequently (for the 1 year old and was just asked by the other family who has a 7 year old and 10 year old) - which is a nice reprieve for me and am happy to do! Connor is getting recruited for more of the strenuous, physical tasks such as cutting/carrying wood, logs or fixing tools - which is very fitting for his love of cardiovascular endurance activities. As we are getting assigned to tasks, we are learning to do them at a peaceful cadence rather than have them be stressful/super productive, just trying to focus on being present with what we are doing. We had our first “movie night” - dubbed in Spanish - where we watched a movie, cozied up in a shared twin bed. We are doing our best to continue to have as many conversations, watch and listen to things, in Spanish - pero que difícil! 

Per usual - reach out to us via WhatsApp! We would love to chat/call/video when we can. Miss you all <3 

-Abby y Connor 

   Haha I unintentionally blend 

in with the nature

Can you tell how happy we are 

when the sun is out?!

                                                                        

       Abby - the shepherd 

              La ducha - the shower

      “24601”