About Time for a New Post, Eh?

For the past week, the power has been very low at Farm 119, and therefore, Internet use has been very minimal. But don't worry, my faithful followers! I'm back!

Since Farm 119 relies on solar power in order to power the farm, using water, turning on lights and other such activities has to be done with discretion. Actually, it's pretty amazing how they've managed to rely almost solely on solar power and rainwater for basic needs. Once you get your head around adamantly turning off lights and taps, it's really not so bad. As long as you have a trusty headlamp and a good book, once the work is done, evenings on the farm without power are pretty awesome. I can't remember being so relaxed after work...ever.

On the farm front, I've mainly been working on building a path to the shed I helped build and paint. In Bibby's Hoek, when it rains, it pours...literally. It rained nonstop Sunday and Monday, and as we speak, I've still been sliding around in the mud while working. My boots are nothing short of caked in mud every day after work. The solution: put down small stones in front of the shed to keep the mud away. As far as laying the stones down, I have also lined up tyres around Tanya's greenhouse, filled them with soil, put a top-layer of stones, and planted an aloe plant in the middle (for aesthetic value). The effect is actually quite attractive. And it keeps the cows and chickens out. Bonus.

I've been working on filling tyres and making the path since Tuesday. My limbs are beyond sore, but I feel a huge sense of accomplishment...there are no machines to help me out, so when I look at all the work I've done, I'm reminded that I've done it all by hand. I've never done work like this before, and I have to admit, I'm quite proud of what I've done in the two weeks I've been here...sore muscles notwithstanding.

Today I had to dig out fenceposts so that I could transport them to the path I'm building, dig a shallow trench, and place them around the outside. A pickaxe, shovel, three rusty nails and a very sore left hand later, I was able to knock it out of the ground, drag it across the farm, and put it in place outside the shed. I would be lying to you if I said I hadn't thought about giving up. But when that sucker finally came out of the ground, I was fist pumping for joy! Sometimes you really don't know your own strength. It's just a matter of time before I'm sending out pictures of myself flexing in the mirror. WWOOFing is one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done.

Tomorrow is finally a weekend...I can sleep in all the way until 9:00am, and I've heard talk of possibly going on an outing to the Knysna Rastafari Festival. My fingers are way, way crossed.

As for now, I'm going to go see about a shower. I can't see my legs for all the mud covering them. It's hard to believe that I only have a week left on the farm! As excited as I am to see more of South Africa, it's going to be very hard to leave. This feels like home.

Questions? Comments? Criticisms? I'd love to hear them all!
the-wanderingjew@hotmail.com