#5 Tender Touches

It has been three weeks since I arrived here at the Amazia Farm, and yes, everything feels so familiar. After such a short time, I have already developed a routine, and yet I am constantly learning something new.

It has gotten quite chilly here. It's strange because just two weeks ago, I was dying in the heat of Canada, and tonight (Friday-Saturday) it will be only 8 °C. There was also a thunderstorm here recently. It was very spectacular to see, with the combination of lightning and mountains. However, thunderstorms are not well-received here as they can easily lead to wildfires. Unfortunately, the thunderstorm happened during a farewell party, but it didn't dampen the celebratory mood. After seeking shelter in the greenhouse, we ended up in the nearest trailer due to the strong winds... which happened to be mine. Well... a quick sweep and all the dirt was gone... maybe two sweeps.

I went hiking again. This time, there were no bears to see, but the trail was still dangerous because it often ran along cliffs. Walking so close to the edge of an abyss is quite unnerving, but the view was rewarding. I also often got lost because the hiking paths are barely discernible, as they look like beaten trails. When hiking, one must pay attention to the red markings, as they indicate the official path.

My English is also improving. Since yesterday, the farmer and two other colleagues have praised me for my improved English. It's a nice feeling and shows that it's never too late to acknowledge one's shortcomings and search for solutions (it doesn't have to be Canada right away). And every time I finish writing a post, I remember something else that I forgot to mention. COYOTES! Guys, I'm telling you, it's amazing. I'm lying in my trailer wanting to sleep, and then I hear them for the first time... coyotes. And it's not like they sounded miles away, it was loud. It felt like they were already gathered in front of my trailer, licking their teeth. I also heard the dogs in action at night... because Body (the lighter dog) sprinted past my trailer to the end of the farm, barking the whole time. Let's just say... it took me a little longer to fall asleep :D

We often sit in the bug net (English for bug = insect, net = net), as it is surrounded by a mosquito net, so we are mostly protected from crawling insects there. And sometimes you sit there and feel a gentle touch on your leg, and then you look down and... a beautiful big spider is crawling over your foot and leg. Tap dance included.

Speaking of spiders, the other day at work, we had to transport sandbags, and after my colleague put one down, he said, "Oh, a Black Widow in the handle." He had been holding a poisonous spider in his hand the entire time he was walking from the bed to the pallet, and it didn't bite him. Lucky coincidence.

Other than that, I have decided to extend my stay here by one week. That already speaks for the farm.

And just as I was about to finish the blog and thought, wow, it's short, I see two things and remember another one. Sorry for the length again :D

When I was about to go to the trailer, I saw the farmer cooking for us (Monday-Friday, the farmers cook, and on Saturday and Sunday, we fend for ourselves), and it's nice to see him just walk 20 meters, pick herbs, and cook with them. You eat what you harvest. That becomes very clear here. It makes you realize how much work goes into a cucumber or a bunch of radishes. You should keep that in mind when shopping next time, if maybe a part is a bit brown or something.

Moreover, I just saw the ISS passing over the farm, which means clear skies. Today it's very windy, but after three nights, I can finally see the stars again. Simply beautiful.

And the last thing is that I had to work on plot 666 twice now. In the summer and also two weeks ago, the number was a realistic choice because that's where our watermelons are harvested, and you can only transport up to four at a time, so you have to walk all the way back and then back to the field and back again, all under the scorching sun. Luckily, it wasn't so hot for me both times, and afterwards, you can feed the goats and pigs. We have three types of watermelons here. Watermelon: You have to pay attention to the stem. If it is brown and easily rubs off, the melon is ripe. With honeydew melon, it just needs to have a juicy yellow color, and the third type, whose name I don't remember anymore, is my favorite. You have to smell it :D and only when it has a sweet melon scent is it ripe.

That's enough knowledge transfer for now.

Canadian greetings,

Samuel