I arrived on the organic farm last Friday; I find the situation to be beneficial, despite the hard work. I do have my own room with a bathroom and a kitchenette, satellite TV and free wireless Internet is included. In addition, food is included and the family has expressed if I need anything to just ask; free gleaning of the fruit and vegetable gardens is included, it is a wonderful treat to live around good organic food.
The family is very nice and welcoming; there are three kids in the family, one boy at age 12 and a boy and girl that are twins at the age of 10. The farm is quite large with orchards of oranges, lemons, grapefruit, avocados, and pecans, along with growing onions, garlic, strawberries, lettuce, and different types of melons and herbs. The owner also breeds fish; I find the fish farm to be very interesting.
Many farms in Israel hire people from Thailand, the contract is for five years, although that is the limit from the Thai government. Here on the farm, there’s a guy from Wisconsin, he is staying in a tent and he eats raw food, only, and has been for the last nine years. Kind of an interesting person, he feels he should be granted citizenship here in Israel because he claims he is from the tribe of Joseph son of Jacob—could be a possibility, a nice person and we are having good conversations.
One aspect about working and staying on an organic farm is that I am not spending any money, whatsoever. If a person does not mind working, organic farming can be an excellent way to lengthen a person’s travels, and to experience, first hand, the culture of the country.
I will not be posting much this month, but I will keep everyone updated on the current situation and my tentative plans for Eastern Europe.