SETSUKEIAN
Sazae Town, Hiyoshi, Kyoto Prefecture
The enchanting and beautiful organic farm of Setsukeian
WWOOF Period: 1st May to 20th May

Finally, I settled down to write in my blog again.
I am now in this enchanting farm called SetsuKeian in this small town, all the way in the mountains. The nearest supermarket is about 20min by car. In Sazae town, there are only about 80 families. Very small population here, an average of 2 person to a family.
That means the residents here are mainly elderlys who live alone or as couple.

I arrived here on 1st May and this is already my 9th day here. The warmth and kindness shown by Kei san and his wife Setsu san are unexpectedly generous. Both are in their late 60s yet healthy and independent to work in their farm. Every thing here is organic. They grow their own vegetables, pluck mountain vegetables to prepare dishes. They have their own rice farm which specialises in growing ancient rice. Most of the people here are farmers but Kei san's is the only organic farm.

Setsukeian is the last house in a small community of about 12 families here. They are closer to the woods and the first to recieve water from the stream. It runs through their land and that's where we get water to water the plants. Very clear and clean, one can see little fishes and crabs in it. Setsukeian is also surrounded by lush woods, pine and cedar trees, mountain vegetables which Setsu san is an expert in picking them for snacks or to make dishes. I finally know how it is like to be among exteremely tall trees in the woods and the sound it creates when the strong wind blows... Walking along this little farm, seeing the fields, houses and the mountains, with the sound of the wind and strong rustling of the leaves, I feel I am in Hayao Miyazaki s anime. I finally understand how the character feels in his anime.

At the beginning of the short bridge to Sazae, leading to Setsukei-en

Setsukei-en is the last of the small coummunity of 12 families here. It is closest to the forest and with the freshest and cleanest water from the stream

Setsu san is a fantastic cook and I am so grateful that I am staying here with them, having healthy and tasty meals, with ancient rice in almost every meal. Ancient rice are expensive to be purchased in the market.

Kei san and Setsu san are both artists when they were younger. They settled here in the country side 18 years ago. Both love nature and the mountains. Setsu san is an established vine craft artist who uses tree vines and shape them into lamps, vases and interesting baskets. Kei san studied fashion pattern design and was in this field when he was younger.
Although they do not speak English fluently, they speak enough for WWOOFers to communicate with them. Kei san always have a dictionary next to him in the dining room, checking his dictionary if he is at a lost of how to communicate a word in English.

Everyday is interesting as I get to do different task at some times, learning different things. 

My friends and dear family, I am doing really well here... will share with you more tomorrow.. so much to share...

The forest is behind the house. I love the forest...will always remember in my heart the feeling of standing in the midst of tall cedar and pine trees, the sound of the forest and the wind