Back from the farm...

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So yes, we left Rome and all it's eternal history and gelatto for Italy Farm Stay. It was a cute little place near Sora, which is between Naples and Rome, and consists of a Villa and self-sufficient, organic farm. We just stayed there and enjoyed the time away from big cities and Rome, but there was so much to do there. It is called Italy Farm Stay and was created by a young man, who is only 28. The farm is his parent's but he is using WWOOF (willing workers of organic farming...somthing I will be doing in the near future) to help create this bed and breakfast/farm. He has such a cool vision for the place and already has bought land for two other locations near his home. One will be a farm of 'prima-culture' where the volunteers (wwoofers) will live without electricity and on a sustaining farm while the other locality will have more amenities, a cafe, restaurant, a place for people to come place music, etc. A very great place, plus it has only been going for under two years, so we are getting to see it as it is coming into being. Sarah and I have dreams for something similar, so it was great to rack his brain about what he wants for the place and how he is going about it. The best part about the farm is that it is using so many talents of other people...he's using their passion to further his own project. If you want to see more about it go to www.italyfarmstay.com

It was a very relaxing stay for sure. We hiked and saw a mule that was two days old, a very pregnant pigglet and their farm full of olive trees, goats, bee hives and wild asparagus. Last night we ate dinner in a nearby town that was having one of its annual festivals...no real purpose or meaning behind it, only a desire to gather in the town center, turn on their fancy lights and hire an 80's band that was accompanied by the Desiree's, dancers in sequence dancing to diddies such as 'it's raining men'...quite interesting. But yes, we had a great time in this town of 1,300 people, there were about 15 foreigners in total, all of the people staying on the farm as well as the volunteers, we were quite a sight for this small town. The farm also had two small dogs that fell in love with you the minute you rubbed behind their ears, so needless to say the four American girls missing their own dogs at home became their favorites. They were quite the pair and would follow us into town for the 3 mile walk. One actually followed us on a hike today toward the town castle. We thought for sure that we were going to have to carry him back, but the little mutt made it just fine.

I am now back in Rome getting ready to catch my 8pm overnight train to Switzerland. I am heading toward L'abri. I will arrive there this Tuesday the 9th for a three week stay there and then meet back up with Sarah in Prague. The other girls will have gone home by then. It was sad to say goodbye to them today at the bus stop, especially because it was so rushed...we have had a great bonding time while together. How can you not? We have learned a lot of lessons and gotten to experience some really amazing parts of the world, surely we are blessed. Speaking of the bus stop, of course I get there and need to buy a €5 ticket to Rome and all the money I have is a 50 bill, so everyone has to put in their money to get me change...I felt like such an American...plus it is Sunday so nothing was open to even change my money out...oh well. I got on the bus at least...red and embarrassed as ever.

Alright, well I am off to the store to buy some last 'cheap' food before Switzerland where everything is so expensive. People just keep telling me that you'll be so amazed at how expensive everything is...I cannot wait!

As always, take care...I don't know how much I will write once at L'abri, we have Thursdays off so maybe I will be able to update then. No luck on the camera so if you want to see some pictures of what we have been up to you can go Sarah's blog... www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Farbs

ciao ciao
melissa

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