Today was my first full day on the farm, here are my initial thoughts. The farm is slow, the farm is patient. Arriving yesterday afternoon I felt antsy. I'm typically good at being bored but I feel like I should be doing something. But this is how millions of people live. I expected to get to the farm and hit the ground running with many tasks. However, the farm doesn't need to be tended every second of the day. The farm does its thing and evolves over time to produce the most exquisite output. You can't be a farm that does everything. Master certain things. Here they specialize in passion fruit, avocado, and other simple veggies. I do not see any cows for milking which probably takes a lot of work. The beginning of any new beginning is always the most uncomfortable. I met the owner and moved some bamboo and cleared some brush, very simple tasks. I focused on being the best I could at moving bamboo, at sweeping leaves. It's a lot more difficult to unwind than I expected. The brain doesn't know what it wants it's so weird. Wants two contradictory things at the same time. It says I should slow down and then it says keep going! Last night I talked with all French people. They said don't make fun of animals online because of animal right! I found that so funny. I asked them if they are optimistic of the future of France and they laughed in my face, of course not. I asked why Europe does not have any AI companies or working on any emerging industries. The resounding answer was too much EU regulation. I am really happy the US is taking steps to not become like Europe. They are too busy protesting about what you say online about animals than building AI and tech companies. That was a hodge podge of thoughts from yesterday evening. Today the owner of the farm, Mr Du asked me if I ever had experience with content or making a website. Funny enough I do from making this blog. He really wanted to build a website and some instagram reels so I agreed to help him out. The only reason I am on my laptop publishing this blog is because of the work I did on his website today. I expected to come to the farm as a digital detox, work the farm manually, and have no wifi at all. It should be noted this farm doubles as a guesthouse for other guests to stay overnight. At first I was disappointed not to work the farm, but then realized that I can contribute something unique and meaningful not everybody can do. Most people, even elderly men and women, can tend to the farm. Not everyone can build a working website from scratch. As much as I try to escape the strangle hold of technology and social media it always bats it eyes telling you its always here. I just have to hold myself accountable as to how much to use it. Also this farm is fully vegetarian. As you may know I eat a lot of meat but I thought it would be good to surrender to whatever they feed me here I have tried beet juice, lettuce, carrots, gooseberries, passionfruit, pumpkin, and more from their farm. I actually feel really energetic and my belly does not hurt. Finally, I was asked in the afternoon to sweep some leaves. I realized there were a few tools to do this task. At first I started with the rake. I knew it was not the most efficient but wanted to try it slowly. I ended up being suggested to use a simple broom and broom pan by a woman here. There are lots of different tools to do one job. Sometimes you pick the most efficient, sometimes not. Overall, it feels nice contributing something unique that is a specific skill not everyone can do. I could work the farm, but so can the old ladies here. I was expecting to do farm work but it is better to make a bigger impact.
