Why did I do this?
This is a question I asked myself many times even when I was on the farm. I knew I need to go and experience the thing I haven't done it before. Life sometimes is in many phrases. My life was okay but somehow one inner voice inside my heart talked to me that I have to go. The Moshav farm at that time was open to welcome new agricultural internships so I immediately applied for it.
One month passed.....And What did I learn?
It was a time I had stressed and depressed about myself. I felt a lack of confidence after the Covid lockdown over in Da Nang, which is a beautiful city with great friends. I still brought these feelings to the farm and was hoping that I could overcome them. I know the reasons why I am here: "To understand myself and to learn".
This is the second time I had an internship at the farm but the feeling is always new. I was excited and nervous at the same time. I will meet new people, change the new environment and new habits. Now I remember the first day on the farm. Omg, I was crying a lot because everything was so new and I didn't get along with any friends here. I just want to come back home and one more time asks myself: Why am I here?
My best friend comforted me a lot and said Let's see a few more days and believe that I would adapt soon.
Few more days...
Yes. It was true. I started to make new friends, talked with farmers there, and adapt their schedules and routine. We woke up at 5 AM every day to have breakfast then at 6 AM, go to the farm to work. It was quite difficult for me at first but after that When I see my friends doing it very easily and I learn from them. At 5:30 AM, Music will cover all the farm, which means that my friends turned on music and NO ONE could sleep in anymore.
The beauty of the sky in Magic hours
I enjoyed seeing the purple color then turn into pink of sunrise with the chill weather. I cannot take too long to watch it because I had to work early so I was so grateful for every minute to have a chance to see it.
In the afternoon, I had time to walk around the neighborhood and I loved to see the life in village where people will come back home from work, kids back home from school, and the dog barking when a stranger like me walks by. Life in the twilight was so peaceful and A simple day had just ended. People come home to rest and enjoy time with their children. Life goes on and on.
What types of work did I do?
I worked as a farmer so I tried many types of things such as weeding, digging holes around the plants, harvesting corn, planting vegetables, etc. It was hard work and needed lots of power of hands. I was afraid my hand would be bigger after this but I know that I would be stronger. I finished the book called "Can't hurt me" and it said about how we can callous our physical then build up strong mental. I love that theory and still practicing it.
Working as a farmer makes me understand how hard the farmers do every day, how they care about their children, and how patient and resilient they are. At the same time, I start to live slowly and have a simple life. Being around nature, mountains, listening to the sound of insects when the sun comes down heals my soul, my heart, and everything is so peaceful and light.
On the weekend, friends on the farm often took me to beautiful places nearby to relax for a whole week working.
How about farm dogs?
I love patting them and looking into their eyes. The dogs on the farm steal my heart. They are so cute and charming. They are my friends when I read books on the hammock, walk with me when I walk in the afternoon or when I go to work. I miss them.
What did I learn from people here?
I had an expectation when I came there that I wanted to know and listen to their stories as much as I can. I was disappointed many times because of my high expectation. After all, I know that I need to let things natural and I stop expecting. Things came out easily after that. I had chances to talk with friends in the last days before I came home. Whatever happened, I was grateful cuz the first 3 weeks made me understand a lot about myself. I enjoyed having the team cook with them and sometimes, singing with them or playing sports with them. I often watch how they do on the farm. They meditate in the morning at 4:30 AM every day. They smile and think simply so they go to sleep very early. They joke about many things and I was laughing during lunch or dinner. I am so happy around them.
They are like a big family where everyone sees each other as brothers or sisters. I felt being cared for in there. What I love about them is they are honest and just react naturally as who they are.
They taught me how to be patient and be strong. I was worry many things in life and they said I have to face it, try new things which scare me. One thing, I remember is that they said just trying no matter how it is wrong or right, we all make mistakes and stand up by those. You might be judged by what you do but see it as a lesson to improve yourself.
Now when I am writing this, lots of things I learned and my journey still continues. Keep experiencing and I am grateful cuz this January is my first step for 2022.
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Miss them and I am thankful for everyone I have met in my life.