Left by Workawayer () for host
(Create and experience an ...)
This house is alive, and it changes over time based on the energy of the people co-creating it.
Here, I will try to describe what being a workawayer was for me, so you can have an accurate idea on what the exchange is like.
When I got there, the energy was quite tense. In my perception, people weren’t so eager to interact or to even speak
… read more English due to what was happening in the house in that specific moment. I was actually looking for other places to volunteer after a week of this, two of my fellow workawayers felt the same and they actually left before the agreed time. HOWEVER, I stayed. I can’t be more happy and grateful that I gave it a second chance, because that was the best decision of my summer. I stayed for three and a half months. This community and this house are pure magic and they deserve amazing and well-intentioned people visiting and collaborating in shaping it into a dreamland even better than what it already is.
🤠 Here are some details and tips I can provide:
1. You need to be very self-sufficient and proactive to thrive in this environment. I would also like to give a heads up if you are very sensitive to different energies, since sometimes things are all over the place (but it’s part of living in a community). There are spaces to recharge and be alone as well inside the house. Also, be mindful that you would need to actively create private moments for yourself, since you will be living in a shared room and the outside is often also full of people.
2. People in the community have different concepts on what a workawayer should do, so I recommend being proactive in asking what is needed and in finding ways to improve the spaces and to make repetitive processes smoother.
3. Work starts at 10:00 am. 5 hours/day for 5 days/week. The description looks all relaxed (and some days are actually very relaxed), but they are shifting into a more productive approach. If you’re visiting, I would recommend being responsible with the working hours, even more if you want to stay longer than a month because they have meetings in which they decide if people are staying or not every 15 days-ish. The decision also depends on *vibes*, just so you know. As a workawayer, you are also welcome to join the meetings. They are in English and it's very interesting to experience how they make the decisions, organise tasks, and solve situations.
4. If you don’t speak German, they all speak fluent English, some Italian and some French. Please know that they are very open and eager to connect, but sometimes they all have their lives and not everyone is going to have the resources to pourl into forming a connection with you. Take what you can get and give without expecting anything back, that would be the best approach, in my opinion. You will get gratitude when you solve problems as well as when you open your heart in a meaningful conversation. Connections can get very deep if you are willing to make it happen. Don’t take personal if you are there and they speak German, that’s their language. Here, the self-sufficiency comes to be a handy tool. Also, you can always connect through playing games like Tichu, Warewolf or Chess :-)
5. The sleeping arrangement is funny at the beginning, because it’s a 5/6 bed room that is like 1.4m tall or something like that, so you kinda need to crawl to bed, but in the winter is quite well isolated and cozy. Also, you only use that room for sleeping, all the fun is outside. I had my own room most of the time during my stay, but that is rare (luck). Internet connection is not good (almost inexistent) in the room, but you have access to internet in the common areas and in the couch outside the room. If you are a digital nomad, the textile atelier is the best place to have meetings and work on a good table away from distractions when you need a quiet(ish?) time to concentrate.
6. Right now (and I think for the next few months) they are working in the second floor to create more living spaces (boxes), so it’s a lot of construction and cleaning work involved. I am 1.60m and not very strong, but I 100% enjoyed the time working in the construction, as well as the cleaning. It was very intense at times, but they will not ask you to do things you’re not physically capable of. They are very kind, accommodating and interested in listening and meeting your needs when possible. Also, you can take it as an opportunity to push your perceived limits a little bit and see what you can be capable of :-)
7. They have wood, metal, and textile workshops and you have freedom to use them in your free time. They also have many materials for painting, different crafts and random ingredients for creative cooking. If you consider yourself a creative person, this place would be a dream with all of the options available. I played a lot styling different outfits as a hobby from the clothes on the free shop.
8. They get their food from the “trash”. I hadn’t done dumpster diving before in my life, but turns out I became a big fan of it. It’s mind-blowing to learn about food waste and how fresh veggies and completely edible food is thrown away on a daily basis. You can join them in the night when they go (if you haven’t done it, I would recommend 100% going). (P.S: Check always the back seats of the car for Dimitrij, just in case he is hiding there).
9. If you’re an animal person, you can always play with Lotti and Axa. Their need for attention is high, so it would be nice if you throw the ball and pet them here and there. Lotti is the main character of her life and is very funny to watch haha
10. You don’t need anything to come, they have everything (some may say a sleeping bag is a nice to-have. I don’t see the need, but let’s leave it here as well).
11. All meals are included. If you’re a person that loves to eat sweets, they normally find cakes and yummy stuff dumpster diving. They also can provide vegan and vegetarian meals. The cooking situation is flexible as they describe it. You are always free to take shared ingredients from the kitchen and cook for yourself in your free time. I spent very little money during my stay (I could have spent 0), mostly on eggs from the neighbour, chocolate and bubbles for the bath (yes, they have a bath that’s heaven). You can buy your own food as well and keep it in the private fridge with your name in it.
12. I would recommend asking about the story of the place and the evolution and the potential of Lichtensteig. It’s very inspiring to hear them speak so passionately about what they have built with their own hands. That will also help you connect with the project and get yourself more involved in the daily tasks. Sometimes, they have big events like a huge water battle for the kids in the town, or a festival party to celebrate their anniversary. Lichtensteig is a fairytale-like town surrounded by beautiful nature and it's surprisingly active for its size. The citizens are highly involved in creating cultural activities. So… Get out of the house and explore. It’s full of young interesting people and gorgeous landscapes out there as well. Ask them for the Notion page with the coordinates of natural the places to visit around. You can also connect with the neighbours, they are the sweetest people as well. Heinz sometimes takes workawayers on random trips around Switzerland, it’s a beautiful gift to receive.
13. Last, but not least, the people are the best people ever. Open minded, funny, fun, full of life. They are, I would say, very self-aware. They are going through their processes of navigating life, getting to know themselves, finding meaning and reaching personal goals. Ask questions, maybe there are ways in which you could help each other. Beyond everything I said… The people made this experience worth it and unforgettable for me. Maybe you will be as lucky as I was :)
So, it’s a mix of extremes: Work hard, play hard, chill hard.
You will definitely have fun!
To the community: Love you guys, all the hugs your way x
Dani 🧚♀️
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