by Caroline Schier, 2013 Intern
Arriving at Songaia for the first time was like entering the unknown. My good friend Laura and I, on a whim decided to WWOOF this summer, stumbled upon Songaia on the web page and with limited knowledge on co-housing, permaculture or gardening in general, drove across the country to the community we intended to call home for the next two months. And now after just one week at Songaia home is just one way I would describe this place.
Songaia is a bubble; outside is urban sprawl at its finest but within is this community that automatically embraces you with their quaint, tranquil, and innovate mindset. I can surely attribute this feeling to the family vibe that is always present and the immediate welcome that we received. Within minutes of our arrival we were in the community garden popping strawberries into our mouths (something that has now become a daily ritual) and getting to know the space we would be helping to transform for the rest of the summer.
The following day, work day number one, was just a continuation of the introductions and new experiences. We started off helping to make breakfast for the community, planted tomatoes, weeded in the garden beds, participated in orientation for the backpacking organization, Journeys that we would also be helping with and learning about bagged earth in a hands-on workshop. This was just the jump start point to a week in which nearly every moment I could easily use the phrase, “Well I’ve never done this before”.
There is no doubt in my mind that there is an abundance of learning to be had here. All of the people we have meet so far have clear passions and love to practice and project upon their interests. It is so exciting to be a part of a community where people are actively pursuing their visions. They span from planting specific crops, permaculture methods, composting, aquaponics, cooking, cycling, yoga, poetry; you name it and someone here can relate.
My thoughts about Songaia went from blank and unknown to fruitful in such a short time. I intend to absorb as much in these coming months as possible, and would love to come away from this experience with a more clear vision of my own passions and goals.
Arriving at Songaia for the first time was like entering the unknown. My good friend Laura and I, on a whim decided to WWOOF this summer, stumbled upon Songaia on the web page and with limited knowledge on co-housing, permaculture or gardening in general, drove across the country to the community we intended to call home for the next two months. And now after just one week at Songaia home is just one way I would describe this place.
Songaia is a bubble; outside is urban sprawl at its finest but within is this community that automatically embraces you with their quaint, tranquil, and innovate mindset. I can surely attribute this feeling to the family vibe that is always present and the immediate welcome that we received. Within minutes of our arrival we were in the community garden popping strawberries into our mouths (something that has now become a daily ritual) and getting to know the space we would be helping to transform for the rest of the summer.
The following day, work day number one, was just a continuation of the introductions and new experiences. We started off helping to make breakfast for the community, planted tomatoes, weeded in the garden beds, participated in orientation for the backpacking organization, Journeys that we would also be helping with and learning about bagged earth in a hands-on workshop. This was just the jump start point to a week in which nearly every moment I could easily use the phrase, “Well I’ve never done this before”.
There is no doubt in my mind that there is an abundance of learning to be had here. All of the people we have meet so far have clear passions and love to practice and project upon their interests. It is so exciting to be a part of a community where people are actively pursuing their visions. They span from planting specific crops, permaculture methods, composting, aquaponics, cooking, cycling, yoga, poetry; you name it and someone here can relate.
My thoughts about Songaia went from blank and unknown to fruitful in such a short time. I intend to absorb as much in these coming months as possible, and would love to come away from this experience with a more clear vision of my own passions and goals.
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