Halifax Retro

We are now in southern France and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find places with both an electrical outlet and internet (not to mention having time to use them). The monastery we stayed in was a special place, especially notable because they also ran a farm on top of their four daily church ceremonies. One father in particular, father Bryan, was in charge of running the farm, with the help of many helpers whom stayed at the monastery as well. They had chickens, which were used for eggs; cows for milk, sheep for…well, from what we gathered the sheep were are rare breed there just for fun. They send off young cattle when the stock becomes too plentiful and are given subsidies on certain operating costs for providing a quota of milk. All animals are free range.

The fact a 65+ monk could operate a farm in this fashion gives us hope in being able to operate our own someday. Not only does he do this, but also tends to the many garden around the property. I spent several hours speaking to this kind old man one day and he advised me that almost all the flowers and plants in the garden had biblical references, another aspect of his daily chores which would absorb ample amounts of time. Also, there was quite a vegetable garden he tended to that included lettuce, cabbage, carrots, fennel, olives, and numerous others.

If there was anything thus far that has inspired us on our mission to open a farm of our own someday, it was watching (and occasionally helping out with) the daily operations of this place. The meals we were served all incorporated this natural way of living. We were ecstatic when we found out the veggies included in out dinner were freshly picked earlier that morning, further reinforcing the fact that this way of life was something we wanted to immerse ourself in later on in life.

On top of all that, the enlightenment attained at this fantasy land will never be forgotten by either of us, as the generosity experienced at this place is something I’ve never known to exist back home. Staying there is done on donation basis, so if you don’t have the money to cover their expenses (approx. 65 euro’s a night) of having you as their guest, they don’t hand you a bill and demand you pay. Instead there is a donation box in the guest house which you can secretly provide them with whatever you have…you don’t even have to attend the ceremonies in the church.

It is an incredible display of human oneness, which I will never forget. Going from there to the streets of Cork and even Paris was almost disappointing, (haha I know, poor us, eh?) and I will spend the rest of my life attempting to figure out a way to go back there (or live there, which I already planted the seeds of question with several of th monks.