La Casa della Aque

Today I arrived at Farm3, La Casa della Aque. I will not do the farm justice with my description; it is so magnificent that words cannot describe it. The large farm house sits looking over vibrant green rolling hills filled with orange trees and olive trees on three sides and a stark contrast on the east side with majestic snow capped Mt. Etna. I immediately felt the serenity that surrounds the casa.

La Casa della Acque name is based on the river that runs through the estate. While you work there are natural waterfalls that completely relax you. It is almost like a natural meditation as you work the fields and in the workshop.

When I arrived the bell was ringing for lunch. Lunch is outside on the patio and I was introduced to the family. The family currently consists of five people (Nirav and Nila are at the Wwoof conference). I immediately was accepted as part of the family. It was so comforting to be around people again and feel at home. I will describe the people in a later blog.

Although I loved Podere Le Lapole and all the people, I realized that the loneliness I felt at Pondere Le Lapole was because I was really separate from the family. At La Casa della Acque I am part of the family.

The family is not limited to people, I am so excited to have nine chickens again and three dogs and eight puppies (just opened their eyes and beautiful) and two donkeys and two cats. I need to digress for a moment and give you bad news. One of my chickens at Podere Le Lapole was eaten by a fox. I was really sad to get Viola’s email.

Immediately after lunch we started the work of picking oranges. I finally found something where I excel; it is not real difficult to pick oranges. It was so peaceful to be in the countryside and you work at a very relaxed pace. I am definitely getting a workout carrying the baskets of oranges. Afterwards we have to sort them into boxes to fill orders.

I have my own room and share a bathroom with the other wwoofers. My room has doors that go out to the vegetable garden. You will be glad to know that it is clean. I have unpacked and am settling in for three wonderful weeks.

After work we all went into town and did some errands. I bought some dolce (cookies) for the family. I had my first taste of a Sicilian staple food Arancini. It is made of cold rice with meat inside. It was delicious.

Dinner is at eight o’clock and I am definitely ready to go to bed after a long day. I will have pictures in tomorrow’s blog.
Ciao for Now.