WWOOF NZ

Well, I was lying in bed just now, thinking of all these things I wanted to say... So I figured it was about time I updated my blog. On top of that my situation has changed so I'm feeling a bit cheerier about being on the move again rather than in a stagnant pool of depression about not being able to find some crappy job to keep me going. Abundance of thanks goes out to mother and father for helping me live the dream. I was sort of frugal... Baking cakes instead of buying them sort of works out cheaper... Anyway, now my frugal days can begin in earnest. I'm wwoofing. I remember hearing about this first when I was volunteering up on cyrenians farm in Scotland. It sounded like a blast and I thought NZ would be an ideal place to do it. I think Sarah wanted to do it too, there's still time Sarah! And it's already so much fun! Although I've only been here for approx. 3 days. It's a great way to travel, not only because the host provides you with free food and accommodation, but because they also have work that they want you to do. It's nice to have some sort of occupation, otherwise I find I frequently fall into the cafe ritual. (find a new place, find a good cafe, eat lots of cake and drink coffee to celebrate the wonders of travelling). Of course I do other stuff too, but this just means I'm doing less of that, and helping people, and getting outside in the beautiful outdoors of NZ as well as learning about organic farming practices and any other random stuff that the hosts offer. I'm starting off in Otaki, on the the black sheep sanctuary. It's a sanctuary for rescued animals. There's a load of sheep, one has only three legs, another is missing part of his tongue as a seagull ate it when he was just a lamb after his mother rejected him! So sad! There's quite a few goats; two pink piggies (I don't know breeds...) and a pot bellied pig called miss piggy; there's a little pony and a horse; ducks and cockerels; a small herd of cows as well as two dogs and a load of cats. Two cats live with me and the wardens in the little house we have, one of them is 21 years old, you'd never know, her fur is so soft and shiny, her eyes glossy and she doesn't move like a decrepit old lady, she's still lithe and strong and paces in infinity signs everywhere, but she does appear slightly in-continent and also drools like there's no tomorrow. Cat and Tom who I work with say she's only got two teeth, which may explain her gurning. I never really got on that well with cats, but these two are just wonderful, they just barge onto my lap whenever I sit down and then nap and I can pet them as much or as little as I fancy. So far my duties have included clearing gorse in the cows paddock, my volunteer work at Rowhill nature reserve has prepared me well... It started to rain so we came inside and Cat baked a delicious molten choc cake and we did posters for the house. I've helped out with the sheep today, they had to be wormed and have their toenails clipped. It was a LOT of fun. Obviously I have an affinity with sheep as my name is Mary, it was probably a contributing factor to my vegetarianism and subsequent veganism, but I don't think I've ever really spent any quality time with sheep. They are just soooooo cute! Their wool is so thick and cuddly. A few of them were quite friendly, especially if you had food pellets. I also cleared up a fair bit of poo in one of the fields today. Some good old fashioned hard work. Herbivorous poo isn't so bad really anyway. (I can hear pigs squealing outside....) So yeah, I've only been here two days, but it feels longer, I just feel at home already. One of the best things about this place is that it caters for vegan diets ONLY (for the humans). I think I mentioned in a previous blog how great it was meeting the vegans in Wellington, and now, at last...AT LAST I'm living with vegans and it's just so great. When we say butter and milk we Know what the other person means (vegan spread and soya milk). I can talk about why I've made this conscious decision to not kill other sentient beings without fear of ridicule or having to defend myself, it's just so nice to be with people who share so many of the same ideals as me. I think after being vegetarian whilst travelling I struggled to get back into veganism. It's like exercise, you know it's good for you, it's what your body and your spirit want, but motivating yourself to do it can be an effort. I'm off honey again, and I've made a decision not to buy any more woolen stuff... With the exception, possibly, of second hand goods. I'm back on track. A lot of people don't seem to get why anyone would make these choices. Well basically, I think it's because I believe moral decisions extend to include ALL animals, not just humans. On the whole the human species is probably without a doubt THE most despicable species on the planet. The end of our species existence WILL be as a result of our own actions, and unfortunately our species has already destroyed a vast number of other species in the process. We've kept some, but only because they serve a purpose, it's just sad that we have this developed consciousness and don't see our actions as arrogant or wrong. I've got into heated debates about the survival of the fittest with people before, but humans aren't or don't have to work on that level of instinct anymore. We have developed practices which enable people to make the choice to be vegan. It has been shown to be a more sustainable practice providing more food for more people in a world where famine and starvation still exist, I just don't see why more people aren't making the switch so that demand for unsustainable dairy and meat farming is stopped. The argument that really gets to me, that I used to understand, but now, I just don't and it just pisses me off, is, 'it tastes too good'. So you lack self restraint. You are weak. I find it, as an argument, pathetic. I lose a vast quantity respect for those who say this. I've never considered myself a militant vegan really, I've eaten honey for most of my vegan years, I wear wool, I've cooked meat, I grew up as a meat eater, but there are few things that I have done in my life that I have felt so sure of. Being vegan is one of them. When I first turned vegan I was going through a stage of typing up on my computer things that made me happy and it took a prominent place in that list. And again, now, I feel, strongly, that this is right. It's not always easy, it involves sacrifices, especially if you are addicted to milk chocolates and cream cheeses and what nots, but it can be done. I'm all for taking small steps in the right direction. Just change your milk for example, the first time people drink soya milk they usually don't like it... It's a change, everyone complains when fb changes, but after a while you get used to it. Soya milk (like the vegan diet in general) is cholesterol free, that could be used as an incentive if you aren't so interested in animal welfare? (note:Maybe buy the pricier alpro variety to try and avoid any chance of using beans which may be from deforested rainforest areas, or try oatmilk, or making your own! Like they do here!) It may be a little more work than you're used to being vegan, you do need to be active in finding out about it, what minerals and vitamins you require and where to get them, but I've never felt any reduction in my energy levels or health after I converted to veganism from vegetarianism, and I'm certain I'd be a lot fatter and eat fewer veg and fruit if I wasn't vegan. If you're sensible about it, it's a very healthy way to live. All in all, world, you just need to get a grip, go vegan.