The Volunteer Chronicles: Adventures in Sharing Life, Food and Laughter.
After an unforgettable healing retreat in Peru in December 2017-January 2018, Vered and I had an epiphany: why not share our vibrant home and lifestyle with eager adventurers looking to lend a hand?
With this seed of an idea, we dove headfirst into the world of volunteerism using the WorkAway platform, which opened the door to a whirlwind of laughter, hard work, and unforgettable experiences.
We struck a deal: our volunteers would put in 25 hours of work each week, and in return, we’d provide them with cozy accommodations, trips around the island, and delicious meals – think home-cooked feasts that left everyone coming back for seconds!
By February 2018, just weeks after returning home, our first trio of enthusiastic volunteers arrived, and we were off to the races.
What began as an experiment quickly turned into a full-fledged adventure.
For over two years, our home became a lively hub of creativity and camaraderie, hosting up to seven volunteers at any given time.
We transformed every nook and cranny into a welcoming space: from the charming guest apartment to the cozy bedroom next door, the whimsical treehouse (a proud creation of previous volunteers), and even a tent pitched under the stars in our garden.
With over a hundred volunteers passing through our doors, each story was unique.
We welcomed a kaleidoscope of characters: a spirited 19-year-old Canadian lad who brought youthful energy, and almost 70-year-old Peter, whose love for lifting rocks was nothing short of legendary!
Each volunteer brought their own flair, and together, we embarked on numerous wild projects that turned into epic tales of teamwork and creativity.
There were friendships forged over shared meals, laughter echoing through the garden, and unforgettable adventures that spanned continents and cultures.
We became a family – one that included not just the amazing people we worked with but also the joyful memories we created together.
Mili, Lia, Nick and others quickly became more than just names; they were lifelong friends whose DNA still reside in and around our home.
Of course, not every experience was sunshine and rainbows.
There were a few volunteers whose time with us felt more like a lesson in patience and equanimity than an adventure, but those moments only added to the colorful tapestry of our journey.
Every lunch was a celebration, each one filled with stories, laughter, and the delicious aroma of home-cooked meals.
It was a time of connection, and our table became a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and dreams.
We took countless photos to capture these moments, and each snapshot tells a story of its own – some of those are on this page.
Our journey with volunteers turned out to be more than just a means to an end; it became a thrilling adventure that transformed our lives and home.
The joy, friendships, and memories we created during those years are treasures we will carry with us forever.
Here’s to the wild ride that is sharing life, love, and laughter!
