Work work work...

Our first day of work started at seven with a hearty breakfast. At eight o'clock sharp, we stood ready in the garden, where Lee was already waiting for us. We were supposed to start by carrying cardboard from one place to another. When we finished that task, we were given the assignment to build a compost pile. So we alternated throwing grass and leaves onto a rectangular pile. So far so good. Then, with a radiant smile, Lee showed us a black bag containing - we couldn't and didn't want to believe it - human hair. Equipped with gloves, we were allowed to distribute this as the next layer on the compost. As if that wasn't disgusting enough, the next layer consisted of fresh horse manure from the neighboring horse farm.

When the compost heap was completed, it was time for lunch. Strengthened, we went back outside, this time to uproot trees together with all the Wwoofers. For the male Wwoofers among us, this seemed to be no problem at all, but for us it turned out to be a physical challenge. We were already despairing over the thinnest trees, but we managed to handle a few of them nonetheless. After that, we had to clear the area of weeds and dig up the asphalt. At some point, Lee made us an offer to work for eight hours in order to have the following day off, which we didn't decline. Exhausted, we cooked after the eight hours and then fell tired into our beds.

The next day, Johannes took us to Rangitoto Island, a volcanic island recommended to us by the Canadians the evening before. However, we initially missed our ferry, so we walked around the already familiar Auckland city center for a bit. Finally on the last ferry to the island, we enjoyed the view of Auckland's skyline. When we arrived on Rangitoto Island, we hiked up to the volcano and climbed through a lava cave, surrounded by a rainforest and a crater landscape. Upon reaching the top of the volcano, we had a beautiful view of the sea, Auckland, and the surrounding landscape.

After a two and a half hour stay, we left the island and walked to the 'Warehouse', where Jana bought a new phone because her old one had given up. Back at Lee's place, the Canadians cooked a Mexican menu for us, and Lee proudly told us that his long-awaited chickens were finally at 'home' in the 'garden'.

In the following days, we only had to work for four hours. We built a fence for the flower bed, created another compost and a garden bed, packed Lee's car for the upcoming trip, and cleaned his apartment (disgusting). During our free time after work, we visited Andrea again and went shopping successfully (there are sweaters for $5!). We also bought a mattress and other equipment for our car together with Lee at numerous secondhand shops. For a total of $49, we got a mattress, cutlery, bed sheets, pillows, bowls, cups, and a kitchen buddy.

The last day in Lee's apartment, before we went with him to a camp he organized, we spent shopping and cooking for the next few days.

Jasmin