nuevo

alright, so i arrived in torvizcon on thursday morning, and waited for joaquin (farmer/owner) to pick me up so we could drive up 1250 meters altitude to cortijo la casería marcado. 

unlike the other farm, this land is vast. i mean, if you're particularly curious, it'd take half a day to get around the whole area that he owns. 

yesterday, i thought i was doin' somethin' by going for a jog around the farm to see just how big it was. i really thought i'd wrapped my mind around it by the time i got back to my room. but, today, a couple other volunteers arrived and we all went on a tour. i was wrong. the land goes across the street and down the road to yet another house and plants and a small stream. and then back up in another direction toward olive trees and prickly blackberries. 
and i can't begin to tell you all the plants that grow around here, but it's a buncha herbs, fruits, vegatables, many of the names i've only heard in spanish. 

so a bit about joaquin: he is spanish and also speaks german, but very little english (yeee!). he lives in orgiva with his wife (who is chilean) and two children. he comes to the farm daily to work with his family members, friends, and WWOOFers on various building and gardening projects. he's really funny and charismatic. and a wonderful cook (as is his wife). in fact, i think he used to be a professional chef. 

about the other WWOOFers: so when i first got here, 3 dudes were leaving but an italian woman and a portuguese man (a couple, who met here at the farm) are still here. and today another italian woman and french guy (also a couple) arrived. there are two older men and 2 middle-aged men. i think they're all joaquin's relatives, and they help with the building and/or growing. 

and just like i wanted it, just about everyone speaks fluent spanish only, and most are spanish. i've only been here about 4 days, and my vocabulary has already grown significantly.

i will update later on the work i'll be doing, as so far i've only worked one day (ariana and i did some weeding and cooking).

here're some photos: 

goats

goats

tourists/guest housing

WWOOF accommodation

joaquin's place when he stays overnight

peacocks. 

work in progress. i believe this will also be for guests.

walkway between the WWOOF and visitor accommodation and the rest of the buildings on the farm.

adorable!

garlic, chamomile, greens, etc. this is where i weeded on friday.

WWOOFer kitchen area

instructions in 6 languages on how to use the toilet

upstairs patio in the WWOOF house

view from the patio

my bedroom

Ariana with dog.

we went to a street festival on friday night. i bought a candy apple. it was wonderful. 

entrance to the farm where i'm staying

i jogged to the top of a large hill yesterday. found this beautiful scenery, among many others.

entrance to the other land that joaquin owns.

hanging with the animals on a sunday afternoon.