Since the last entry my opinion of the farm has gone downhill (if that were possible). The lack of direction has continued and we have increasingly been making ourselves scarce rather than risking being put to work on mind-numbing or ridiculous tasks. Today took the biscuit as we attempted to drag some large freshly cut trees uphill using the farm's two dilapidated horses. This was both impossible and very dangerous and something we quickly gave up on. This was part of an unplanned, uncosted and generally ill-conceived project to build a new kitchen and dining room on the farm, a project that Maji seemed to think could be completed in 2 days but would take more like 4 weeks.
Some positive highlights of the last week have included:
- A visit to the local town of La Rivera for a dance. We had envisioned a quaint, traditional fiesta but were greeted with a full on disco complete with smoke, lights and dance music choicely selected by the local equivalent of Fatboy Slim, DJ Danny;
- Walking to the neighbouring farm, La Chinchilla, to see how real Costa Rican farming is done. The farm had emus, hundreds of chickens and beautifully kept vegetable gardens (as well as wonderful owners, Guillermo and Luz);
- More amazing smoothies and juices including the almost freakishly orange mandarina juice.
As I said before, the other volunteers continue to be a source of positivity and our ranks have been swelled this week by the arrival of two newcomers, Sarah and Darien, two Floridians. We were also briefly joined by Joaquin, a Spanish chap who wisely decided to scarper after two days on the farm having quickly assessed that Maji was chronically difficult to work with and the farm a directionless mess. We have stuck it out largely because it provides us with a low cost option in a relatively expensive country and because we have paid a deposit that w
e would forfeit if we left early (something not particularly in agreement with the principles of the WWOOF programme).
Ah well, we only need to bear with it for a couple more days before we have our liberty restored and can return to a more normal sort of traveling.
P.S. The latest addition to the menagerie of creatures on the farm is an incredibly huge cockroach - about the size of the head of a ladle - that has taken to frequenting our toilet at night. Think the attached picture just about does him justice.
e would forfeit if we left early (something not particularly in agreement with the principles of the WWOOF programme).
No comments:
Post a Comment