F**k the onions!

If someone had told me as a child that I would work (voluntarily) on an onion farm someday, I would have laughed at them. But since I only had $150 in my account, a job was urgently needed! And so on January 12, 2020, I drove to Waiuku, about 55 km south of Auckland.

There were five French and three German backpackers working on the farm besides me. We all got along well and usually sat together in the evenings after work to eat, play cards, or have a glass of wine.

Our two bosses, two brothers, and all the Kiwis (the locals) who worked there were super nice. One of the bosses had three small dogs that followed him everywhere. They rode on the forklift, tractor, and truck, always tried to sit on his lap during breaks, and even followed him to the toilet. 😅

We either worked in the field, collecting onions that were left behind after harvesting, raking together wide rows, cutting and harvesting pumpkins, or in the packing house, where we sorted (into first choice, second choice, and waste) and packaged the onions and pumpkins. Sometimes we would stand by the conveyor belt for days on end, inspecting the passing onions for damage, which was really annoying!

I don't know if any of you have ever smelled really rotten onions. The first few days, I really had to concentrate not to vomit on the conveyor belt... It was disgusting! 🤢

In the first week, we worked almost 70 hours, from eight in the morning until seven or eight in the evening. Over the weeks, it became a bit more relaxed. After work, we always looked like pigs. 🐷🐷🐷

Sunday was our day off. There wasn't much to do in the area, but since we were mostly busy shopping, doing laundry, and resting, I didn't mind. In the evenings, we usually grilled or made pizza together on Sundays. There was a nice beach with dark sand about 10 minutes from the farm, where we would occasionally go.

The backpackers kept changing. For example, in the last few weeks, there was a couple from Gera. During conversations, we found out that he had worked on the same farm in Australia as me, and she knows Lina through a mutual friend. 😄

But sometimes it was really difficult to live with so many people. We all slept in our cars, but there was only one shower, and of course, everyone wanted to be the first one after work. With sometimes 16 people, it often took quite a long time. It usually turned into a real race. Cooking also wasn't fun with so many people bustling around.

Originally, I only wanted to stay for four weeks, but then I extended it for another three weeks. I won't miss the work, but I will miss some of the people (although I have to say that I'm glad not to have any French people near me for now... 🙈). The goodbye was hard, but I might see some of the people again on the South Island.

I have decided to sell my car again. It's just too expensive for me alone. So I'm back in Auckland now, trying to find a buyer. Keep your fingers crossed for me! 🍀