http://ecoaldealaflor.blogspot.com/p/informacion-general.html
Miranda (fourth from right) and Monica (second from right) with other volunteers and full-time staff
Rise ‘n shine
A typical day on the farm begins with the breakfast bell at 7:00 am. It's early, but I always lug my ass out of bed to go because the food here is SO tasty.
All of the meals are vegetarian, prepared by two local women who come everyday to cook for the employees, guests, and volunteers on the farm.
So, breakfast: hot coffee, fresh fruit salad with banana and papaya, homemade tortillas or biscuits, homemade goat cheese and goat yogurt, traditional Costa Rican "gallo pinto," and more. Everyone eats a big communal breakfast together, and work begins at 7:30.
Farming
The actual farmwork itself does not require expertise on farming, but it does require physical stamina, and patience. Tasks include shoveling manure and debris for compost piles, cleaning animal waste, harvesting various herbs or vegetables from the garden beds, clearing overgrown fields, and various other odd jobs. There is always a local employee on the farm who supervises these tasks. In my personal experience, the idea of working on an organic farm was great... and the reality of being faced with a giant pile of poop at 8 in the morning in the pouring rain and wind did not match my expectations. If you are looking for an idyllic, relaxing retreat vacation, this is not the place to come. However, there is definitely a certain feeling of satisfaction in finishing such jobs.
The idea of the farm is that nothing here goes to waste. Every job has a purpose, and all of the products on the farm are part of a huge self-recycling process that keep the place moving as one self-sufficient unit. The field you clear one day becomes food for the horses, then their poop becomes the compost that fertilizes the fields where the lettuce for your salad grows. Even more interesting, to me, is that the ecological ideals of the farm are self-sustainable as well. Members of the community often visit the farm, which is also an eco-school. The tourism that the farm generates in this tiny town creates more economic opportunities for families and make eco-friendly choices more sustainable.If interested in Finca la Flor, please note…
The weekends are no-work. For entertainment on those days, there are buses that run to Cartago or Paraiso, and from there to various other spots. Lankaster Gardens is totally worth going to, especially in good weather.
About the weather, though: be aware that this region of Costa Rica is rather cold and rainy. Do NOT leave your cold weather gear at home. Even in the "dry" season there is often rain.
We all expected to lose weight working hard on the farm. Wrong. The food is so good, and you will be so hungry, like we were, that you'll probably come out even in the end (or possibly heavier). Your biceps will look great, though, from all the heavy lifting.
There is a definite communal feel on the farm. Meal times are a big social part of the day, when everyone who has been scattered around the farm comes to the same place to talk. Volunteers come for just a few days to weeks or months at a time, and coming and going is a big part of the relationships here.
Alcohol and other substances on the farm are prohibited.
Internet and pop culture are largely frowned upon by the farms employees, although you might find kinship with the other guests.
The farm is a good place to practice or learn Spanish. During the work period, or when conversing with any of the farm's local employees, everything is in Spanish. There are also Spanish lessons offered that take up the afternoon period of the day. Classes are one on one and can be tailored to suit all levels of Spanish. The teacher is both very patient and thorough
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