Workaway Farm#5 in Chile - Horses, chickens and garden

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 horse, learning their names and the own special personality of each horse. Romana and Rubio always up to be brushed, not even letting other horses get their turn and following me when I was done. Fiona was a bit shy but when she realize it was nice to be brushed, she stayed and enjoyed. Her son Merengue with light blue eyes always next to her, it was a big tricky to get him out of the way until it was his turn. Gluton was also always up for it and followed me away from the other horses. The big dark Gaspari was super nervous and untrustful, but also once I slowly approached and started to brush him, he realized was it was about and followed me a few steps away from the other horses to not be bothered by them. The last one Cereza (cherry) was unfortunately the only horse I didnt get to brush, she always walked away.

 Feeding time

Their house that they have kept building onto in the past 11 years

Mom Ruperta and son Softy

 All happy horses and donkeys

 Feeding the goats

 and chickens 

 With blue-eyed Merengue

Luna and her foster mom the dog Emi

I also enjoyed sharing the meals with Gina and Tito as well as their 2 workers Cecilia and German who came everyday for house and garden work. I was helping as I could in the garden, finalizing the construction of the fence. As I keep experiencing on farms here, fencing to keep the animals (in this case chickens) out is key, otherwise no use planting anything in the soft soil that they will come and dig out! I'm not sure I was very helpful, but Gina and Tito both love to host Workawayers especially for the cultural exchange, it is a way for them to travel without leaving home, hosting people from so many nationalities and backgrounds.

On the last evening we went with Gina in the apple orchard next door, which used to be an asparagus field, to look for survival asparagus, and we found a lot! It was also a beautiful evening sunset walk through the trees with the 6 dogs following us and playing around. I loved that Gina also brought a trash bag and we picked up every single piece of garbage that we found on the way. Hopefully one day we will find more asparagus and less trash (pieces of plastic bags and other types of plastic items).

It was a short but beautiful stay on their farm, seeing how much they love and care for their animals and get so many fresh delicious eggs from their chickens and few quails. Here the quails are in a large pen running freely on the ground, they seem happy and the eggs are so good!

 Super hosts Gina and Tito

Quail eggs

Chicken eggs - some are green!

Picking asparagus and trash...

...accompanied by the dogs...

...in the apple orchard

Saying goodbye to sweet Romana