Europe: Time is Money

I cleaned this garage!

When most people say, “Time is money,” they’re usually saying something negative. Maybe someone is wasting their hours, or they wish that the dishes didn’t take so long. For me, though, that phrase represents an idea that is the key to my budget travel. I don’t have much money, but I do have a lot of time… so it’s just like having cash!

That’s certainly been the case with this farm. Not only does Michaela stuff me to bursting at every meal, but she’s always on the lookout for touristy opportunities. From hiking in the woods and showing me cathedrals, to taking me to a beer festival and teaching me how to make her grandmother’s soup, she’s more than willing to share Bavaria with me. Add wi-fi and breathtaking countryside to the equation, and you have a great help exchange experience!

During that time, I’ve tried to earn my keep by being helpful. It’s always fun to get my hands dirty, and here are just a few of the tasks I’ve completed:

My work buddies, Zack and Diana.

Filling pots with earth and planting salad green mixtures in them. • Moving the chickens’ fence so they have fresh ground to scratch. • Planting spinach in the garden. • Washing and vacuuming the cars. • Watering the flowers, vegetables and herbs. • Cleaning the kitchen. • Going to a second house and clearing an insane amount of brush from the side yard. • Catching roosters and putting them in a special pen so they can’t assault the hens anymore. • Battling insane amounts of gigantic spiders to clean two garages. • Chopping up beets, leeks, fennel, and radishes. • And many more…

Thank goodness that time is money. Spending time and effort in one place is a great way to see Europe… or anywhere else in the world.

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