Unfolding As I Go - Carole's travel blog

With the political unrest going on in Chile, some travelers have cancelled their plans. Lucky for me: a spot opened up on a farm that I really wanted to go to, with 7 horses, 2 donkeys, 4 goats, 6 dogs, 2 cats and many many chickens. Something about horses that really makes me want to be around them and learn to care for them. Also, Gina and Tito have incredible reviews of past Workawayers, really makes you want to spend time on their place. Workaway profile:  Help a family in the countryside in Tapihue, part of the valley of Casablanca very famous for its wine, Chile So I left a bit earlier than planned Ceci and Alvaro's, where I had already learned a lot, to fit in a week with Gina and Tito. And wow, what a place! Indeed full of animals, super sweet dogs and cats. I took on the task to brush the horses everyday, as they were shedding their winter fur and so much hair was coming away! This was one of the favorite parts of my day on their place, going around and brushing each

We were having a nice lunch on the porch of the house, overlooking the farm, the valley and trees all around. The sun was out, it was a beautiful peaceful moment, we were all resting from a long preparation of the meal and enjoying the food at last. All of sudden, Roxana, the farm worker, appeared at the steps of the porch and waved at Alvaro, with a serious and preoccupied face, yet staying silent. Alvaro saw her and without saying a word, he got up immediately, he went into the house and got back out on the other side, walking down to the farm with a hunter's gun in his hands. Roxana was behind and when they got a few meters down the path and between the farm buildings, we realized there was a dog. A slender brown short-hair dog that didn't seem to be of any race. The dog was quite quiet and relaxed, he even stopped to lay down on the lane in the shade of a tree. Alvaro with the gun in his hand, creeped behind one of the sheds really slowly. I covered my eyes, heard a shot.

Here is a video version of the morning routine on the farm, opening the doors to the ducks, chicken and quail. Baby ducks really thirsty first thing in the morning! Las ponedoras - the laying ducks

Hundreds of tiny ducklings are squeaking and rushing to the corner, climbing on top of each other to escape my arm that is reaching in their pen. I'm taking the water containers to refill them up, then reaching in again with a full scoop of food to fill their bowls. Those little ducklings drink so much water! Turns out it is because their food is so salty. And they are fed all the time, refill 'all you can eat' all day. In 4 months they will be big enough to get sacrificed. My heart is breaking a little when I think of that. Right now I focus on the fact that they are so cute and need constant care to survive: food, water and warmth.  The smallest group of ducklings, super cute! The 3rd group of ducklings that have been growing for about a month Why am I in such a place if I don't eat meat? For the eggs! I do eat a lot of them since I am vegetarian, and wonder if it is possible to produce eggs ethically at a small or medium scale. I am also here to lea

Did you know that Pablo Neruda was Chilean? I found this out when arriving in Chile, hearing about his 3 houses that are now converted to museums in Santiago, Valparaiso and Isla Negra, a tiny town by the sea. I was intrigued, went to visit all 3 of the houses and started reading his poems. What an artist and poet! Such a genius not just in his poetry but the whole way he lived his life, built and decorated his houses and hosted parties and dinners with his friends and had beautiful love stories. I love this quote that is really relevant in each of his houses: 'El niño que no juega no es niño, pero el hombre que no juega perdió para siempre al niño que vivía en él y que le hará mucha falta'.  'A child who does not play is not a child, but the man who does not play has lost forever the child who lived within him and who he will miss terribly'. His houses are full of fantasy, full of tricks and funny things, also full of nature and so many of his collection

After an intense time on the farm, my departure date had arrived, I said goodbye to Edo, Fiona the lovely cuddly cat (wish I could take her with me) and Wayra the dog and I took off leaving by foot with my bag on my back, hopeful I would get a ride and not have to walk the 2 hours to the bus stop. And I got lucky! After about 20 minutes I got a ride from a neighbor going all the way to San Antonio, from there a small bus to the station and then direct bus to Santiago. Two days of rest and walking around the colorful but also busy streets of Santiago and visiting Pablo Nerida's house 'La Chascona'. From there I planned my next days and next farm then took off for 2 days of more rest in Isla Negra, a village by the sea where Pablo Neruda has his favorite house (he had 3) and spent most of his time during his last years. I was also hoping for good internet connection to update my blog. But when I arrived they said: no internet here! There was also very little connection i