Con voy (with you [plural]) as they say here in Damanhur.
When we contacted our current wwoof site, it was because of their spot on Wwoof Italia's monthly SOS email. Because we were looking for a third site, and they were in need of immediate help, we decided to go for a more "alternative" farm for a change. Boy were we unprepared. Our current farm, Primastalla is not simply one farm, but the farm adjacent to one "Nucleus" of Damanhur-a way, a people, and about 50km of land in Piedmonte, wedged between switzerland and France in the top corner of Italy. We were a bit ashamed upon arriving to admit that we had no idea where we were, what Damanhurians were all about, or that when they told us to pick animal names in poorly thrice translated Italian, they really meant that in Damanhur, one might earn an animal name after much time and study, and after becoming an official citizen of the place. If you're interested in a lot of details, google Damanhur and check out their website. In this short post I'll tell you that Damanhur is a small eco community with a nature-based spirituality that is pretty complex and is based in the idea of reincarnation and a combination of egyptian and eastern religions. They have their own capitol city-Damil-their own currency, and ancient sacred language. Damanhurian citizens live in "Nuclei" or small communities in the region where multiple families share a large home, expenses and meals together. Because the Damanhurian population has not been growing for a while, they have started the "New Life" project in which people who are interested can come and live in Damanhur, with all the rights and routines of a citizen, for a three month trial period (and a large cost). Because of this project we've met a lot of younger people who are new to the community as well and talking to both the older members and new blood has been really interesting for us. Damanhur is, to be honest, pretty insanely weird at times. We went on a tour of the capitol but not into the main temple, which we are told extends 11 stories underground and has the largest rose window in the world (65 euro to enter). However, we have really enjoyed the tight community feeling and the warmpth of the citizens while staying here. We were even allowed to skip work one day and take a day trip to the nearby Alps! Whiel staying here we live in "the box." A cabin-like structure at the far back of the farm, literally right nextdoor to about 100 cows who serenade us all night long. We have a tiny stream of water from the kitchen sink and no electricity to speak of, spiders galore and hot hot sun, but still very much enjoy our accomodations. Damanhur is a very tri-lingual environment, but Italian is truly the common language, which has really forced us to finally start learning some. I can proudly say that I can now hold a very short conversation about either the weather, the toilet or anything that is "bella" with our friends Faun and Jackal. Don't get me wrong with these far out descriptions, Primastalla is probably our favorite farm at this point and we'd both consider coming back to Damanhur, especially for the community and sustainable projects they have going.
We will be leaving, full of mixed emotions, early Saturday morning for Munich, where we will hopefully get to take a tour of the beer gartens and pay a visit to Dachau before hanging midair for 8 hours and landing on US soil.
