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Published: September 14th 2009
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Champion
Only champions can drink their beer from trophies Perhaps one of the more interesting aspects of working on farms is the meeting of various and sundry characters along the way that you wouldn't have otherwise met. Traveling in cities can be nice, but when you stay in a hostel then more than likely you'll be meeting fellow travelers. Most of the folks I've met in hostels have been British, Canadian or Australian. If, on the other hand, you get the chance to live amongst people in a smaller town or village, you can get to know them a little better and really learn more about the country you're staying in than just taking pictures of the main attractions. In this vein, we've had a few adventures in the past couple of days.
On Friday (September 4th), we had just finished sterilizing the 54 liters of apple juice we pressed on Thursday, when we heard a ruckus coming from the street behind the farm. This street runs from Kohlen to Grossenhain, and there is rarely occasion for a ruckus. Angelika explained that it was an annual tradition, that the civil servants from all the different villages around gather in Kohlen to roll iron balls down the street for 5
Gigging
Sitting in on bass playing some Irish music. That's Axel in the foreground playing fiddle. We're at the RegioMarkt, which is a regional farmer and producer market km. The team that gets it to finish line, which was just behind the farm, in the fewest number of throws wins. While they're rolling the ball, they're usually also pulling along one or more wagons full of various beverages. The whole affair ends in a shindig at the pub in Grossenhain, complete with an awards ceremony and local cover band. Ben and I looked at each other, told Angelika not to wait up and joined the procession. It was quite the night, and we wound up meeting several interesting people. The people were very friendly, and everyone was curious as to how an American and an Australian could wind up in Grossenhain. Some highlights of the night include the horrid cover band, dancing to Peter Schilling's "Major Tom" sung in German and a group of people from Beverstedt who refused to believe that I am 32. They demanded to see my passport several times, but it was all in good fun.
Today we had another interesting day. Well, it was interesting for me, but I think Ben got a bit bored. After last night's festivities, we were a bit off the feed this morning. After breakfast and the
Ben
Ben, my partner in crime usual watering of the plants & feeding of the chickens, we gathered another 6 crates of apples for juicing in the coming week. It's good mindless work where you can have a bit of fun chasing the sheep around, dodging the wasps that eat half-rotten apples, crank up the iPod and relax. This afternoon we wound up going to the grand re-opening of the Beverstedt Area Market. Similar to the farmer's market, this one has been closed for 3 months. To celebrate, they hired Axel and a couple of musician friends to come entertain the crowd with a little Irish folk music. Well, we get there and Axel had arranged for his friend Tio to bring an acoustic bass guitar along, so I wound up sitting in with them for an hour or so before exploring the town. It was fairly easy to keep up with them, though the bass was a bit quiet for the loud hall. Who knew you had to come to Germany to play Irish music?
Tomorrow we have even more festivities planned. In the morning, I'll be slaving over a hot stove trying to prepare an approximation of Brunswick Stew for the family. It's
New Friends
Some folks we met along the road who were competing in that bowling game Angelika's mom's birthday, and she's been here at the farm since Wednesday night. So, no pressure, but I'm cooking birthday dinner for her. I told Angelika a week or so ago that they had grown all the ingredients needed, so I was then volunteered. I've since recruited Ben to be my sous chef. Then in the afternoon, we'll be heading to the Strassenfest. It sounds large and important, but it's really just the neighbors around here getting together for cake and coffee. We've already met a few of the neighbors, but I suppose everyone will want to take a gander at the odd folks from the US and Oz who came here to farm.
I know this sounds like a party lifestyle here on the farm, but we really do work. Thusfar we've gathered, juiced and bottled over 80 liters of apple juice, have built some sheep fencing, put up a whole field full of hay, done work in th garden adn tended to the greenhouse tomatoes. It's just that the people here really do stick to the belief that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. We have a break in the afternoon, usually gather
Serve yourself?
Tino helping himself to the liquor collection at the bar where they hold Irish music sessions. together around 4:00 for tea and cake or biscuits, then do a few more hours of work. It's really relaxing, and quite pleasant, to be able to slow down in this manner. Now if only I could get my workplace to allow me to take an hour or two off after lunch to digest the meal, then work a bit later in the evening...
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