Written by Italy & Greece Students, Macey T. & Grace N.
For the last week, we’ve been at a farm called Paladini in the mountains of Garfagnana. It’s a beautiful place and it was so nice to get back to nature after a busy week in Florence. There were other volunteers there from programs like Workaway, as well as the owner Colm and his family. There were different chores we helped out with in the mornings each day, such as chestnut picking/harvesting, stone laying, wood chopping, gardening, cooking, and more. We all got to try different things each day. Every meal was made in the kitchen by either us or the volunteers, and we had so much delicious food that was cooked and shared with kindness among everyone there. In the afternoons, there were different workshops taught by some of the volunteers, such as creative writing, photography, and Spanish lessons, and in our free time we could explore the farm, play some ping pong, paint, read, and just hang out. There was a trail that led all the way down the mountain to a waterfall that we swam in (with freezing cold water), and beyond that to the nearby little town with stunning views and beautiful local architecture dating back hundreds of years. Every night after dinner we’d gather around the fire and share live music, stories, and laughter with everyone, with songs in different languages and stories from all over the world. My heart was so full after my time at Paladini, and I was sad to leave but excited for the next adventure.
Our Highlights of the Week:
There were so many memories made, amazing people met, fun group activities, and delicious food eaten! Highlights include an afternoon exploring the nearby village, as well as a refreshing dip in a near by swimming hole, if you were brave enough to endure the cold water! Participating in activities led by the Work-Away residents including, creative writing, pasta making, Spanish 101, and a music workshop, allowed for such special connections to be made, with people from Columbia, Ireland, and even the USA! But nothing could beat the view of the stunning mountains in the horizon. Overall our experience at Paladini was one that we won’t ever forget and will be forever grateful for!
But growth always comes with challenge … how did you grow this week?
Challenges are inevitable on a journey like this. Leaving the independence that the city allowed and stepping back into close quarters proved to be more challenging than anticipated. The showers maybe not have been ideal nor the 6-person tent, but the strong foundation created in the first week allowed us to openly communicate our priorities and goals for the 7 weeks, adjust our attitudes accordingly, and reconnect as a community again.
What’s coming up next week?
Next week we embark on our trek down south on the Via Francigena, and I’m so excited to start. It’s something I was looking forward to since the beginning, and I can’t wait to spend some time walking on this beautiful and historical pilgrimage and see some fantastic scenery and get some fun exercise! I’m looking forward to a wine tasting that we have with a local vineyard right off the trail, as well as visiting and staying in a medieval village where I’ve heard we’ll learn how to shoot crossbows and fight in traditional combat, which I’m super excited for. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this week and take some time to reflect and relax with fantastic views all around.
