This is an Interview with Sarah and Anders, taken part in Dio pigadia – our permaculture Farm in Pylos, Greece.
We wanted to know how they got to Greece, where they stayed before us and how it was.
Sarah and Anders stayed in September 2022 at the Candili Natural organic farm.
How you did you hear about this farm?
We wanted to go to Greece and we checked wwoofing for ecological farms. They answered and said we were welcome. Project was appealing: it is a greek family couple with two young children who moved out of Athens looking for a different lifestyle and it resonated with what we wanted to experiment. They had nice pictures of the area and the mountains in Evia (Candili”).
We came from Athens and took the bus to get there. They were very helpful and gave us a greek message for the bus driver so everything went smoothly.
The first impression was amazing, they were waiting for us with a greek vegetarian meal, some lentil soup and a Greek salad and delicious olive oil. We met the family: the two kids, also the grandad who was very sweet, the animals (a dog and a cat, lot of goats, cute pigs, chickens). They showed us around. Another German girl volunteer came at the same time and we got to know each other. We stayed the three of us for the whole september.
How was the accommodations?
Nice we had a caravan we shared the 3 of us, it was big and comfortable. They had made a whole area for volunteers with a nice little house with a kitchen and a place to eat. There was a beautiful outdoor solar shower with a view on the mountain. Also dry toilets.
So did you share meals together?
We had what we needed to make our own meal but we would regularly share meals. Some time the grandmother would come and cook nice traditional greek food with vegetable and meat from the farm. Actually all the meat we ate there was from the farm but it’s no problem being vegetarian or vegan they have plenty veggies to feed you.
How was the work experience?
We had a routine of feeding the chickens, harvest for the food Kiosk where they sale their products (vegies, eggs, marmelade, tomato sauce, sometime goat cheese) then we would have different tasks depending on the day, natural/upcycled building projects, we prepared beds and started planting different kind of Kale, salads and leaks for the winter. Lot of the job was tomato sauce making because it was the season. They were very passionate about the quality of the product. Sometimes we would take care of the kids but this was extra and only because we wanted to.
What are they producing at Candili Natural farm?
Mostly veggies, some fruits, and some goat cheese/eggs.
What did you learn there?
They gave us many responsibilities which was nice. It was very inspiring that they live with little, exchange locally, and really believe in an alternative lifestyle. They were really conscious people and we had great discussions about alternatives to the modern lifestyle. We were talking about so many things but the concerns about the modern lifestyle were similar to those we talk about at Dio Pigadia.
It was great to learn about another culture, in a real Greek family. We also learned a lot about farm life. Also when “papou” (granddad) was not here we were also taking care of the veggie kiosk selling products and exchanging with local people which was really enriching. We really felt at home there, like we were part of the family. If you had ideas on what to do they would encourage you to go ahead and do it. We really learned how to make the best greek tomato sauce!
What about Weekend activities?
One time we went with their tent to camp to the closest beach where we hitchhiked to. It is really easy to hitchhike in the area. Another time we went together to the beach. And another we we went to an Eco festival in Xalkida, Evia.
Would you recommend Candili Natural Farm?
Absolutely! It is perfect especially if you want an authentic greek experience in a Greek family for an alternative lifestyle in a quiet and secluded wilderness. We really enjoyed their critical vision and hope for an sustainable alternative future closer to nature.
Have the best time if you have the chance to go there!
Sarah and Anders
