Lisbon: Where I Gave up Tourism for Drinking

After a long ride into Spain I spent a few days in Barcelona. I visited the typical sights including a few Gaudi sights and had quite a nice time. But my trip planning caught up with me and I realized I didnt have time to go to southern Spain and actually enjoy it! So being the frugal traveller that I am, instead I opted for an 18 hour bus ride to Lisbon. Fun times. Wish you could have been there. I arrived in Portugal not sure if I was really in a capital city because everything seemed to be lifeless. However, later in the morning all the tourists popped out with their Canons and pressed khakis. I was glad to have a whole day to spend in the city before catching a train to my next WWOOFing place. So I threw my Osprey on and started hiking around to the big tourist sites pointed out on my map. As soon as I went to the cathedral I instantly regretted my decision. It looked like a million churches Id seen before. I watched American after American stand outside and take a picture while giving me strange looks, as if a girl walking around a European city by herself with a backpack was strange. The sun, backpack, and stares started to get to me and I decided all I really wanted was beer. I walked to the nearest bar and thought of Terry and Martha as I ordered a cool refreshing beverage that happen to only cost one Euro!! What a deal. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of my day in Lisbon and safely arrived in the middle-of-nowhere Portugal!

Grenoble might be the best city ever if...

1. you stay with Madjouline and Francois (and finally don't feel like a guest somewhere)
2. you meet Madjouline and Francois' friends
3. you are impressed with the beautiful landscape of Grenoble, set in the valley and surrounded by mountains
4. your first night in town you are introduced to a French association. Basically, you tell the government you want to start a non-profit business and they give you money for rent. My first "French association" visit was an awesome bar called "Just Beer."
5. you enjoy hiking to the top of the Bastille for an enjoyable panoramic view
6. you enjoy running along the river and taking in the sights of Grenoble
7. you go shopping for the first time in 3 months for new clothes
8. you learn to enjoy local French food specialities

If I Carry a Baguette under My Arm, Can I be French?

My last few days in Belgium were spent weeding in the garden and going out for one last Belgian beer. As a joke, another volunteer and I randomly planted broccoli among rows of onions, potatoes, and fennel. You know life is slow when you get kicks out of broccoli plants. Then the time came to once again pack my bag and say goodbye. I left just in time as I was lucky enough to catch a ride to the outskirts of Paris where I excitedly took a train and attempted to manage public transportation in a foreign country. My fellow Wicklow Way hiker was nice enough to help arrange a few places for me to stay while I visit France!

I arrived in Paris, immediately dropped off my bag and headed out to start seeing the sights. As soon as I hit the streets I almost felt right at home with all the Americans roaming the city. I managed to see all the big sights: Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysee, Tuileries, and the Pompidore Museum. But after two days, I'd had enough more than enough of the city life and headed west to Normandy.

My second stop in France was Caen, where I visited my first European castle!! Finally! I spent my time meandering the streets, visiting museums, and drinking espresso at outdoor cafes - aka living the dream. Then I headed to the small village of Bayeux, home of the Bayeux tapestry and the Battle of Normandy War Museum. I vaguely knew of the tapestry but it's quite impressive at 230 feet and consists of 58 panels showing the events leading up to the Norman invasion in 1066. Following my historical education day, I was lucky enough to be welcomed into the home of Manon's parents where fresh food and hot showers are the norm.

Another few days in France then further south to Barcelona!

Take me on a trip upon your magic swirlin' ship,
My senses have been stripped, my hands can't feel to grip,
My toes too numb to step, wait only for my boot heels
To be wanderin'.
I'm ready to go anywhere, I'm ready for to fade
Into my own parade, cast your dancing spell my way,
I promise to go under it. - R. Zimmerman

1st Annual American Role Reversal Day in Belgium

Due to creative thinking on the part of a fellow WWOOFer and also the lack of strong English vocabulary and customs by the Flemish owners, the long standing American tradition of "Role Reversal Day" was celebrated just a few days before I left La Ferme. Basically the other WWOOFer and I decided that we'd like to cook for a day. And when you leave two girls weeding a farm for a week together, you'd be surprised with the they invent; hence "The First Annual American Role Reversal Day in Belgium."

The menu will make your mouth water when learning of the savoury dishes and surely you will be jealous you were not in Belgium for the feast!

Breakfast - apple and banana pancakes

Lunch - a regular American barbecue with burgers and fries - lentil, onion and carrot miniburger, baked polenta, tomato, and arugula miniburger, tofu, celery, and tomato miniburger, homemade baked beans, coleslaw, homemade ketchup, and vegannaise

Dinner - vegan pizza with a thin whole wheat crust and topped with mushrooms, onions, roasted red peppers, and arugula, salad with balsamic vinagerette, and roasted courgettes

Dessert - banana tofu cheesecake

"Om nom nom nom nom nom nom." - Jennifer Turner

Life at Le Ferme

Ireland is known for rolling, green hills dotted with sheep and Belgium for flat farmlands covered with cows and surrounded by the bluest skies youve ever seen. It took quite a few days to settle into life at the farm. For one thing, I was concerned about the safety of all the workers and guests. With all these skinny vegans, every time the wind blew I kept checking around to make sure no one broke in half!

The daily routine consists of:
830 - breakfast of miso soup and porridge
10-12 work in the garden
1230 - lunch break
2-4 workout, bike ride, or head to the village bar to watch tennis matches!
4 - dinner preparation
630 - dinner followed by dishes
830 - sunset walks, ping pong, badminton, studying macrobiotics, etc.

One day last week a group leader invited the kitchen staff to join his group for ginger compresses! Having just learned about this relaxing pasttime I eagerly accepted. Towels are soaked in boiling ginger water and then placed on the lower back/kidney region to promote circulation and blood filtration. Initially it was slightly painful but easily the most relaxing evening I've had here!! Also I my off day I headed to the next village and spent the day kayaking and basking in the sun! It was completely relaxing and beautiful!

I'm leaving Belgium in a few days to continue the nomadic life in France! Let's see if my high school French classes were worth it.

(pics of my day off kayaking!, and my favorite places at La Ferme: the courtyard, the kitchen, and the gym)

"We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip...a trip takes us." - Steinbeck

The Osprey Kestrel 38

If I have neglected to mention my wonderful backpack and sole material possession, it is only because it has performed wonderfully and fully exceeded my expectations. When I purchased my bag, I had closely studied many types and specifically chosen the perfect bag to suit my needs. However I have recently discovered that every strap and extra pocket provides a useful and neccessary purpose. And best of all, just when I think I have run out of clean clothes, I reach into the Osprey and tucked away in a corner is another shirt. I give it a whiff and excitedly throw it on, in disbelief that I ever considered it dirty!

Running with a European

I arrived in the beautiful country of Belgium over two weeks ago and after a no-question border checkpoint headed straight to Gent where I was warmly greeted by a fellow Sli Na Bande wwoofer, Griet. We spent the day wandering the streets and catching up on life from the past few weeks. Gent was a very nice city and happened to be celebrating Vegetarian Day when I was there (I think they knew I was coming). We spent a couple of days by the North Sea and loaded with train and bus schedules we parted ways and I set off for the next wwoofing adventure.

Two trains, a bus, a miscommunication with the bus driver, and lots of walking later I successfully arrived at my next destination. La ferme du bois-le-comte is a macrobiotic vegan retreat center. I was introduced to everyone and immediately started helping in the kitchen getting ready for dinner. One fine Sunday afternoon I heard heavy boots walk in the door and someone say "Hey Egg Salad". I was instantly relieved because I knew another Sli Na Bande wwoofer was now in my presence. Maria had been hitchhiking her way across Europe and stopped back in Belgium before heading home. With another American around, we instantly started talking as fast as possible and telling funny stories with "thats what she said" jokes included.

The past few weeks have been filled with delicious vegan food and I'm trying to learn as much as possible from all the wonderful chefs here. The work days are sometimes quite long filled with dishes, dishes, and always more dishes. However, I always find time to go for a hike in the unexplored woods of southern Belgium, or to bike to France, or relax on the porch. I am also trying to learn more about the macrobiotic lifestyle which involves eating biological animal product free food, and much more. One evening I mentioned to one of the other workers that I was going for a run. Kris instantly volunteered to go with me. I was incredibly skeptical because I outweigh most people here by 40-50 lbs and running isnt really my strong point. Nevertheless, we set out and he gracefully sped through the mud, dodged trees, tramped through tall grass, and I lagged behind learning my lesson - never go running with a European.

(picture of Griet and I enjoying Belgian beer!)