After week one, we said goodbye to six members of our farm family as two of the permanent workers escorted their sons and nephew to Santiago, about 10 hours north by bus. In the morning, we welcomed seven more as participants in a drug and alcohol rehab program arrived for their retreat. There is never lack of excitement and each day holds plenty of interesting adventures without ever leaving the property.
A few days later we set lunch for 34. Eleven poets participating in a Mapuche arts and cultural festival in Villarica, the closest large town, joined us for lamb from the farm and course after course of fresh deliciousness. Ameen was up at 6am to start preparations with everyone jumping in to help with some aspect.
Illani, an American biologist, and her husband Guayo, a Chilean biologist and professor, bought the land in Catrica a decade ago to have a place to escape the city (Santiago).
Language is an ongoing barrier for me, although I learn and understand more everyday. It is easy to get away with speaking only English to those who speak it here, so I have to push myself to practice with those who don't. I'm constantly surrounded by it but it becomes easy to tune out and get lost on my own thoughts.
I'm working with Erica, a German WWOOFer, with the horses everyday. There are 11 grown horses and one fowl. Erica has taught me how to work with and train the young ones, and to ride the older ones. I'm finally comfortable going into a gallop on the miles of gorgeous trails that surround the farm. Riding through farmland that overlooks Catrico and where on clear days you can see the active volcano has been beyond serene.
I have had the time to strengthen my yoga practice in the evenings, and have led groups at the farm, even the three children of the French family participated a few times. I'm learning by trial and error about how to effectively teach since I've never gone through any formal training, plus I'm trying to translate as I go when possible.
I have loved all of the unique interactions that this experience has brought: meeting travelers from Austria, Germany, France, Panama, and Chile and all living together as family. We plan to stay here for another 3 weeks before traveling with Illani and Guayo to Santiago. From there we head to Peru at the end of March to meet back up with the Scottons.
Lmyr,
B
