Slow and quiet life with donkeys in Puerto de Béjar, Spain

Infos

• 

  Description

  Hi, I am currently on a longer journey with my five donkeys.
  
  After spending some time in an extensive eucalyptus monoculture in the Algarve, we are now at a temporary stop in a rural area near Salamanca in Spain, preparing the next stage of our journey.
  
  In the past, I offered alternative donkey walks, with a focus on a genuine encounter between humans and animals — without riding or leading. The donkeys moved freely, and we simply walked together with them.
  
  I would like to deepen this approach further, in a place with a more natural environment and forests. The foothills of the Pyrenees in France are a region that particularly interests me, and our next step will be to explore that area and look for a suitable place.
  
  The transition there will take a bit more time and preparation, likely in the coming months.
  
  The donkeys are a real family that I have been living with for over 17 years. Three of them were born into the herd. They move freely for the most part, which requires constant awareness and presence in daily life.

• 

  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide informatique/internet
• 

  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Vidéographie

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Culture

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Ferme

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Musique

  

  Livres

  

  Art et design

  

  Photographie

  

  Langues

  

  Jardinage

  

  Écriture

  

  Animaux

  

  Nature

  

  Montagne

  

  Randonnée

  

  Activités en plein air
• 

  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Cultural exchange here happens naturally through daily life, not through structured activities.
  
  You will experience a simple, grounded way of living with animals, where many decisions are made in the moment and depend on observation rather than fixed routines. This includes learning how to move with the donkeys, how to read situations, and how to respond calmly when needed.
  
  There is also the possibility to learn some basics of working with a camera in a very practical way — focusing on simple, honest documentation rather than staged or technical productions.
  
  This is a quiet environment. There is no entertainment program or social structure. Much of the exchange happens in silence, shared presence, or occasional conversation.
  
  If you bring specific skills (for example in editing or technical workflows), I’m open to that — as long as it supports the existing direction.

• 

  Aide

  The main part of the help is supporting daily life with the donkeys and some simple documentation.
  
  The donkeys move freely along a wide rural path (an old livestock route with very little traffic). A large part of the day is about being present, observing them, and gently guiding them when needed — for example keeping them off the road or away from trees.
  -There are five donkeys in total. You will not be responsible for them on your own, but support me in observing and guiding them when needed.
  -We are based in one place and move within the surrounding area during the day, usually within a few kilometres. We always return to the same accommodation.
  
  This is not stressful work, but it requires attention, calmness, and a steady way of interacting.
  
  Alongside this, I’m working on creating simple photo and video material to document this way of life. Nothing staged or complex — just quiet, real moments. Since I’m usually part of what is happening, it’s difficult to film this on my own, so having someone occasionally assist with basic filming (setting up a tripod, framing, or recording short sequences) is very helpful.
  This is not a business activity. The filming and documentation are for personal purposes only and not related to any commercial project.
  
  There are also some small, practical tasks around the place, such as keeping the area tidy or helping a bit in the garden.
  
  Daily life here is simple and not highly structured. There is no business, no tight schedule, and no expectation of long working hours. It’s more about sharing a calm environment and taking care of what is there in a responsible way.
  
  It’s important that you feel comfortable spending time on your own as well. The place is quiet, and a certain sense of awareness, respect, and harmony with the surroundings matters more than speed or productivity.

• 

  Langues parlées

  Allemand: Courant
  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Courant
  Hollandais: Courant
  Portugais: Intermédiaire

• 

  Hébergement

  Accommodation is simple, in a former pilgrim hostel.
  
  You will have your own room. There are basic sanitary facilities (shared bathroom, shower) and a kitchen available.
  
  Food is simple. I usually cook basic meals (e.g. stews), and you can also prepare your own food.
  
  The place is rural and quiet, but not completely silent. There are cows in the area, and you will sometimes hear cowbells, including at night.
  
  Overall, conditions are simple but functional.

• 

  Autres infos...

  In your free time, you can spend time walking in the surrounding landscape. The area is open, with old paths, stone walls, and a mix of woodland and grazing land. It’s well suited for quiet walks, observing nature, or simply being outside without a specific plan.
  
  This is not a place with tourist infrastructure or many activities. Most of the value here comes from the simplicity and the natural surroundings.
  
  The nearest town is Béjar. It can be reached by bus from larger cities. From there, it’s possible to walk to the location or take a short taxi ride.
  
  House rules / lifestyle
  
  This is a quiet place, and a calm, low-noise environment is essential, especially on the property.
  
  A respectful, low-impact way of living is expected — both towards the place and the animals.
  
  It’s important that you are comfortable with silence, slower rhythms, and spending time on your own.
  
  Exact directions will be shared after confirmation.

• 

  Informations complémentaires

  • 

    Accès Internet

  • 

    Accès Internet limité

  • 

    Nous avons des animaux

  • 

    Nous sommes fumeurs

  • 

    Familles bienvenues

• 

  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

• 

  Mes animaux

  5 donkeys (Cameron, Lucia, Josefina, Federico, Luisa) (2023 ans)

  A small group of five donkeys living and moving together. Used to people, but require calm and consistent handling.

Sécurité du site