Today begins our adventure as campesinos, that is the Chilean word for farmers. We are at the farm Fundo Los Leones near Las Cascadas, the owners are Katia and Victor, a young Chilean couple with three children and eight dogs. They manage the farm and host some tourists (although now it is not season, becauses it is too rainy) following the rules of sustainable cultivation, all organic, healthy and genuine. You can also go horse riding or for a walk through the woods and learn about the plants and fresh and tasty food.
The real welcome, however, it comes by Martin, another volunteer workaway who is from Santiago and has been here for a long time. The day after our arrival is holiday so he prepares us a small asado, that is grilled meat with fresh vegetables and potatoes, and in the meanwhile he tells us about his life and how is the life in the farm.
During our stay there are no guests, so we will work as true peasants. Katia and Victor explain us the different tasks to accomplish more or less daily. You start feeding chickens, ducks and dogs, and they welcomes you joyfully, especially the chickens that run after you with too much enthusiasm. The ducks are the cutest: just after you crouch down they come immediately to peck your hands!
Removing the weeds in the garden is a boring task, it doesn't looks but it is a difficult and tiring job, you have to be aware to not destroy the good plants and sometimes the parasitic herbs are so strong and resistant that you have to use the pick! If there are flowers we can pick them up and bring them home.
We collect raspberries or other fruits and vegetables, from the trees and in the greenhouse where there are vegetables of all kinds, many of which we have never seen before.
Shelling hazelnuts is an activity that requires a lot of patience. Near the main house there is a small cottage that we thought was for children's games and instead we discovered that it is full of hazelnuts to peel! It's the Squirrel's paradise! You have to use a well fixed wooden piece and a heavy stone to break peal them one at a time. Filling a few cans takes away a morning. After a while each gesture becomes a mantra and hands go by themselves, inventing strategies to become faster.
Lorena, the home cook, also teaches us how to make the bread: wholemeal flour, water, yeast and salt. Unbelievable how quick you get to do it, if you are not lazy! Knead well, let it rise and then bake in the hot stove, what a good smell!
From the path behind our volunteer house you descend to the beach of Lake Llanquihue, a quiet and enchanting place, a corner still untouched. We come rarely because it rains almost everyday but when the sun warm the air up then you can go for a swim!
Images of the author
