Our first Workaway Experience in Spain

Climbing slowly up the stone path from the yoga center, he looked up at me with tired eyes and let out an audible groan. He was still too far below for me to tell if the smile he was wearing was for his appreciation of a job well done or just a gasp for oxygen. It was only halfway through our first day as Workawayers and my husband was exerting himself to sheer exhaustion.

Earlier this month we arrived in Sedella, Spain for our very first Workaway experience. We were armed with working gloves, shoes, and the mindset to be punctual each morning. What we were unprepared for was the toll the physical labor would take on our former office employee and service industry selves.

What is Workaway?

Aside from being the perfect opportunity to see the world on a budget, Workaway is a gateway to cross-cultural connections. With thousands of hosts spanning the globe, Workaway offers travelers the chance to stay with families and help out around their properties in exchange for compensation in the way of food and accommodation. There are listings for all types of help ranging from childcare, farmhands, to assistance in more technical matters. There is something available for every skill level. The standard exchange is 4-5 hours a day for 5 days a week.

Our First Hosts

Our first Workaway hosts were Stig and Hellemai, a lovely Danish couple who recently relocated from Denmark. They arrived from the bustling streets of Copenhagen and took up residence just outside of the sleepy mountain town Sedella, Spain. Sedella, with its population of just over 600, is a small, white village built on the slopes of the Sierra Tejedra, about 700 meters above sea-level.

Naturally, Matt and I were curious what brought this older couple from their safety net of home and family to this rather secluded town in southern Spain. When we inquired, Hellemai did not even hesitate to respond.

“Adventure! We came for adventure.”

Her response made me smile. It was the exact reason that landed Matt and I in this town that up until a few months ago, I had no idea existed. From that moment on I knew we would get along just fine here – for we were kindred spirits.

Our hosts acquired this large finca, “the castle on the top of the mountain” just two years before our arrival. In their short time of ownership, they had already made so many improvements. Both on their own and with the help of former Workawayers just like ourselves. Despite all of the work that had already been accomplished, there was still plenty of jobs that needed to be done. With a property so large, there is no shortage of projects waiting to be attended to.

The Projects We Completed

Gardening

The day after we arrived we immediately got started to work in their newly established eco-garden. Our first tasks were fairly simple – planting basil and harvesting the lemons from their trees. However, it didn’t take us long to become drenched in sweat and covered in dirt as we began tearing into the mountain. We were tasked with creating easy pathways for walking and working on the new garden that was underway. There were old roots that needed to be dug up, trees that needed to be replanted elsewhere, and brand new fruit trees to take their place.

Matt put me to work with the pickaxe to dig through the rocky terrain. It only took a dozen swings to realize his muscles were much better suited for the job. I retreated up the mountain to help with another small project and before long, that is when my husband (now resembling a crippled old man) dragged his sweaty body up to the main house looking desperate for a cold beer. Fortunately, we landed wonderful hosts who were more than happy to reward his hard work.

Building Irrigation Systems

With the new plants and trees in place, it was imperative to ensure they would be kept hydrated with the long, hot summer on its way. Never one to back down from a challenge, Matt readily volunteered to install this new system, even though he had no experience doing so.

Together we laid the new pipes. We joked that I was Matt’s gopher for this job because every time we added a new sprinkler to the system I would run across the yard to turn on the water and check our progress as well as grabbing the new pieces as they were required.

Painting

We spent a few days with rollers in our hands. There were plenty of spaces that needed to be freshened up outside when we had nice weather, but I think my favorite space was the relaxation room we painted indoors one rainy Friday.

If you are visiting Finca Mariposa, either as a future Workaway or on holiday, try your best to find Matt’s hidden artwork on the walls!

Help in the Kitchen

When we first set foot into the main house, our jaws dropped at the gorgeous kitchen we would be cooking and eating in over the next few weeks. It is a quaint Spanish-styled, industrial kitchen complete with high-end equipment and a beautiful long dining table.

Stig, a former Michelin-starred chef, prepared us a delightful feast the first night we arrived. I can still recall the succulent pork and flavorful garlic sauce we were lapping up with his homemade bread. Going back to store-bought bread after being treated to his freshly baked-in-home each day has been disappointing!

We were grateful to be able to help out most evenings, sometimes taking over the dinner preparations entirely. Matt and I truly enjoy spending time in the kitchen so for us this didn’t feel like work at all. The best part was learning new skills from Stig that we will take home with us when our year abroad comes to an end.

Takeaways From Our First Workaway Experience

It is the people you encounter that make all the difference. As “older” backpackers, we were already established in our careers before we decided to take on this new experience. While the exchange of accommodation and food for a few hours of work each day does go a long way in extending our travel budget, we are not in it for any freebies. Matt and I signed up for Workaway in hopes of meeting new people and learning new skills. Our first hosts were the perfect example to solidify that our decision was a good one.

From learning new skills in the kitchen, garden, and even how to make a proper pillow, we walked away from our first Workaway experience armed with a renewed sense of confidence in what we can accomplish if we just open our minds to it. Don’t be shy. When given an opportunity to try something new, say yes. Even small experiences can leave a big impact.

We will always be grateful for our time spent at Finca Mariposa and hope we are able to return one day. Hopefully our hosts know that even if it is just on holiday, we will still want to play in their kitchen!

Have you ever heard about or spent time with Workaway? If so, did you have a good experience? Let us know where your favorite hosts are in the comments.

Cheers friends!

Megan & Matt