Vol. 28 No. 4 May 2010 - The Travel Society

eaders’lettersWWoofing(and chasing the opera)in New ZealandWWoof stands for "Willing Workerson Organic Farms". This is part of aworld-wide community that promotesawareness of ecological farming practicesby providing volunteers, knownas wwoofers, with the opportunity toget to know the local people, enjoy ahands-on learning experience andenjoy a safe way to explore the country.Hosts enjoy sharing their lifestylewith volunteers by opening up theirhomes and they appreciate having ahelping hand with projects which areoften labour intensive. Oftenwwoofers are called upon to help withhousehold chores.It is necessary to join the organizationas a member by paying a smallsubscription which can be doneonline. Once you are a member, youcan set up your profile online andsearch the hosts on the website. Indue course, you will receive a bookletlisting all the hosts by regions andyour membership number.I was already familiar with theorganization and last year, after I hadbooked my tickets to New Zealand, Icontacted Rosemary Soryl inChristchurch. I had spent two weekswith Rosemary as a wwoofer on mylast trip to NZ in 2003. She immediatelyaccepted to host me for anothertwo weeks as soon as I arrived inOctober last year. Then, on browsingthrough the website, I found anotherRosemary, plus Gary, in Napier askingfor a wwoofer who can cook. Icontacted them hoping for a weekbeginning 21 December so I couldspend Christmas with a family.Rosemary responded with a warmand positive e-mail. I made no furtherplans for my three-month visit to NZ.Meeting Rosemary Storyl inChristchurch was like meeting an oldfriend and immediately I felt part ofthe family again. While I was withRosemary, I was welcome to use hercomputer, her home phone, herkitchen and its contents. She took mehiking, on a community working dayon a farm, gave me referrals and tookme to a dinner given by a friend. Inreturn, I worked on average no morethan four hours per day with a coupleof days off each week. During myfree time, I attended concerts, playedbridge, went for a challenging hikewith Rosemary's friends and consolidatedmy itinerary for the remainingtwo and a half months. From there Iarranged wwoofing with nine morehosts in Waimate, Dunedin, Renwick,Havelock, Marlborough Sound, TeHoro, Napier, Gisborne and GreatBarrier Island with only four nights ofstay at YHA hostels necessary. (Foran account of Maria's visit to GreatBarrier Island, see page 9 - Ed.)The work varied. I usually helpedwith the cooking and, if there were nodish washer, with the dishes as well,but not very often. I helped in gardensand with cleaning the house and withanything else the hosts requested. Forexample, I accompanying some childrenone Saturday morning when theywere scheduled to do some voluntarywork in an office. In Te Horo, northof Wellington, I worked on a lavenderfarm where I did strictly field work,pruning the lavender bushes. Thereare animal farms, but I avoided those.In general, the organization has hostswho are interested in organic farming.I always had a room of my own butusually shared the bathroom withmembers of the family. I travelled bybuses and bought a bus pass fromInterbus that covered 60 hours of travelling.Once I reached my destination,the host or hostess would pickme up at the bus station.The experiences were varied andinteresting, some better than othersbut with no disasters! It was definitelyan excellent way of meeting localpeople and sharing their lifestyles. Ifound New Zealanders warm andamazingly trustful. I felt at home withmost families within an hour after Iarrived. Many of them went out theirway to make sure I spent my free timedoing something fun in their owntown. It was great that I did not haveto eat in restaurants, which can bevery expensive, lonesome and at timesdisappointing. Some of these hostsbecame friends and we continue toexchange emails. Above all, it was avery inexpensive way of travelling.Excluding my airfares, in threemonths I spent just underUS$1,000.00.The website is www.wwoof.co.nz.Once you've signed up you select yourregion, read the listings, select three orfour hosts, contact them by e-mailintroducing yourself and stating yourinterests and any special skills andthen wait for replies.While travelling in New Zealand Iwas also able to follow my interest inopera. In Toronto, I have been attendingthe live transmissions of theMetropolitan Opera from New Yorksince their inception. When I arrivedin Christchurch late in October I wasthrilled to discover that Tosca was tobe shown at a small theatre on 8November. I was even more delightedwhen I was able to introduce theseries to a local opera lover whom Imet at a Bridge Club. Subsequently,Reader to ReaderI am a retired female geographyteacher looking for afemale travel companion forindependent, off-the-beatenpath explorations as well as thepossibility of joining organisedtrips. I love to wander/explore(not hike) and find hiddengems in a variety of destinations.If you're a TTS memberand would like to join me and"give it a try" please get intouch with Editor Ann atann@thetravelsociety.comand she will pass your messageon to me.Thank youApril 2010 3