Friday, July 30, 2010

10 Things to Know About WWOOFING and HelpX

Because what blog would be complete without a list?

10 Things to Know About WWOOFing and HelpX:

  1. Bring an alarm clock. Bring an alarm clock, bring an alarm clock. BRING AN ALARM CLOCK.
  2. When searching for a work exchange, use HelpX first and then WWOOF. Both sites are similar -- hosts describe their place and work and prospective volunteers can scan the list. But HelpX has reviews written by past volunteers. Some are entertaining, some scary, some ideal, and all incredibly important when deciding where to work, what you'll be doing, and who you'll be living with.
  3. Ask about accomodations, as these are rarely included in the farm description. We've seen a bare matress in an attic (which we politely said, ughh, try again) to a luxury one bedroom and bath.
  4. Bring a small gift and a recipe you know well. You're not expected to cook (though you should help. See #5), but hosts are always appreciative of a night off here and there.
  5. You're a houseguest just as much as a field worker. Help with dinner, dishes, and all the other things your Mom told you.
  6. Go with a friend! The work will move faster, and you'll need someone to joke and vent with afterwards. Also, you usually won't know if you're the only volunteer or one of six, and the hosts will usually not become your best friends.
  7. Plan side trips for before and after your stay, not your days off.
  8. Be flexible but not a pushover. Accept dirty work, from watering and feeding chickens to cleaning a bathroom, but question the host if given a toothbrush to complete the latter.
  9. Make sure there is internet access. This is essential if only for the reason that you need to leave a farm early and make subsequent plans (as we're doing now in Turkey, details coming soon).
  10. Last but not least, write down the hosts' address and phone number! This was a major lapse in our planning for one farm. We missed our train and were therefore three hours late to the station where the hosts were waiting. When we arrived, they were no longer waiting.

This list is not exhaustive, so if you have any questions feel free to ask!

4 comments:

  1. A very helpful list, in particular #3 & 9.
    #10 leaves me wondering how & if you got to the farm!

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  2. you should write an entry about all the different bathroom accommodations you've encountered...always fun when in a new place..emily

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  3. This is a good list: as NZ hosts we appreciate workers' punctuality, being able to work independently, taking initiative (& asking if you're not sure about something), and a night off cooking is a definite bonus.
    Also especially like people who are organised - no. 10 is a goody :)

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  4. Thank you for sharing these tips, wish I'd have read them before I did helpx. I agree with you wholeheartedly about making sure there is wifi. It is not fun living off the grid when it comes to having no communication, particularly if one is isolated! Thanks! Donna

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