I'm not sure which irritates me more, feeding the pigs or rounding up the goats after they graze. It's a toss up. There are only two pigs, but the smell... Wow, the smell. And the goats - five of the seven are angels and go back in the pen after grazing with relatively no problem. But then there's those last two... They remind me of those kids in elementary school that used to steal your lunch or favorite toy and as soon as you got close to them, they'd run away laughing, taunting you. Same thing here. Let's just say there is a lot of baiting with bread or grabbing of the horns to get them back where they belong. Other than those two chores, staying at Victoria and Davide's (pronounced Dav-e-day) has grown on me since the first day I arrived.
The experience is completely different from anything like Maria and Keith's. There are no huge family dinners, much less personal interaction and the work is much more physical. The most fun comes from talking to the guests that stay here, an Aussie and two Canadians, plus two other helpers from the US. Sally, the Aussie, and I get along quite well and it's nice to have someone to talk to, but she's only here a few days. The Canadians are almost out of college and are traveling to wrap up some course work. Very bubbly about life but not the sharpest tools in the shed. There is a long term helper from Germany as well, Marco, who specializes in building. He doesn't really talk much but is fluent in English - he replies to most questions and requests with his most utilized phrase in a thick German accent, "No problem." Lastly, the helpers from San Francisco are a couple in their mid 20s who decided to quit their jobs and travel for almost a year together. It was either that or use the money to get married - good choice in my mind.
As for the farm, the family has decided to undertake quite a large project by adding two rooms, a living room, and a dining room. Because of that, the entire property is one gigantic construction site. Additionally, Davide doesn't really throw things away for fear that he may one day need that fifth bathtub or that giant wrought iron driveway gate. Yes, you can find it all here folks - need four rusty radiators? How about twelve somewhat functional wooden doors? Can I interest you in a pair of glass doors etched with some random pub's name? I know I can sell you on two moldy mattresses with no box springs! Just come on down! We've got what YOU need!! You get the picture. Somehow this all fits into Davide's grand scheme, but we have yet to figure out how.
Our days starts at 7:30am to feed the animals - the pigs, the goats, the puppies and the kitten. The two pigs, which are massive, are housed in a very small shed and get fed a mixture of yellow powder, brown powder and random bits of bread. Add contents to a bucket of water, stir, and throw into trow inside shed. For fiber, yank an armful of tall grass and throw over into pig pen. Then it's off to the goats who are low maintenance in the morning, just clip some tress or vines and heave into pen. There are three puppies, about eight weeks old and a kitten, Spot, who recently lost his leg that all need to be fed their specific nourishment as well. After this standard morning routine, which the American couple and I split up every day, we find Davide who gives us the AM chores. Usually gardening, digging a trench, sorting firewood or some other random task. We then sit down for breakfast which has been the same every morning - granola with chocolate bits mixed in with yogurt. We make a large pot of coffee - more of what Americans would call espresso - and toast some bread to be the unappreciated vehicle for the coveted Nutella spread.
After completing the morning assignment, we usually have a small break before lunch. Then it's off to afternoon chores, which are usually just as random as the morning ones, but are more physical - moving heavy objects, setting up fencing, helping to build a shed, etc. 5:45 brings my least favorite time of day - the second feeding of the animals. Rinse, repeat from above, except the goats get to graze until they are full. This can take anywhere from 35 minutes to an hour and a half and on cold, drizzly days, it's not a lot of fun. And there's the aforementioned frustration with two said goats. Ugh, stupid goats.
To get dinner on the table faster, we asset Victoria with whatever we can, hoping to get to eat before 8:30. Oh, and after every meal I have mentioned we have dishwasher duty. Normally, no one would think much of it, but this isn't a normal scenario. Well, I guess it is a normal scenario if say, you're in the 1930's and out in the middle of nowhere USA. There is no working dishwasher and until the stove is lit in the winter, there is no hot water to any of the sinks (the showers, yes, thankfully). So, for every set of dishes, water needs to be boiled in a tea kettle and then everything needs to be washed, dried and put away. When you have nine adults eating, plus two kids and all the pots and pans that created the meal, you looking at an hour easy of clean up.
This is a standard day.
But come Saturday, I have the day off and the three girls (the Canadians and Sally) and I are heading to Imola by bike. This day would end up being the highlight of my time in Dozza.
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