Extraordinary destination - mountain farmers help!
If you do not spend your vacation somewhere on the beach, in a crowded hotel or in a conventional package tourism provider and would like to start something else with his vacation (or even has the time because he / she may be unemployed ... ) offers the opportunity to have a great experience while still helping mountain farms to survive.
I was (some have already addressed many questions to me, which I would like to answer here) in September last year in the Swiss Alps, on the Alpe Frutt, the Erich. There I learned (to milk cows milked at 6:00 pm, to milk cows ...), to make cheese (a gigantic good experience!), To clear out stables, to respect EVERY animal and, above all, to stand in front of me and to deal with me without being able to dodge TV, Internet or telephone.
I'm already in raptures, but first wants to describe the processes ...: o)
About websites like Bergbauernhilfe. Italy, mountain farmers help. Germany, mountain farmers help. Austria and Zalp (for Switzerland) come in contact with mountain farmers, who announce in advertisements what kind of help is needed for which period. There you can sign up and offer what you can do when.
With Zalp it is also possible that you can give yourself a "job application" (of course for free) and the interested alpinists or cheese makers will contact you (that's how it was with me).
We are looking for all the forces needed for a mountain farm, such as
Melker / inside
shepherd
cheesemaker
Hofhilfen
willow aids
Domestic help
etc...
The work is rewarded differently, you have to negotiate. Either (so it was with me) work against food and lodging (against a magnificent backdrop!) Or against a reward.
Only the journey is to pay by yourself, but some organization help with travel planning (I sat down in my Lieschen and I chugged in the Swiss Alps ...).
You are assured, depending on where you are, you get, should you get sick, also a compensation money (about 25, - Euro / day).
The food is sometimes barren, but I can assure you that in the evening, after 14-16 hours of physical work, I ate the best cheese sandwiches of my life, the deepest sleep of my life slept on the Alp and the view from the Alp (im Picture of Lake Lucerne, over which I was allowed to be and "my girls"). If you are interested in the other, really impressive pictures, (can contact me via PM) I will never forget and keep the free head, as well as the honestly felt humility, always in memory. The Alp Frutt was on foot in about 4-5 hours, otherwise only accessible by a cable car (but only to the summit, you had to scramble down a bit).
I'm looking forward - soon (around April) is cattle drive. This time I want to try to get into the Aosta Valley (of course, gaaaanz far above).
So, who wants to do something different, is looking for something useful for his vacation or simply has no money for a "normal" holiday - dare!
