Summary

Jill and Chris, a Canadian couple living a nomadic lifestyle, share their experiences from a recent week spent in a park-like setting where they've been painting and engaging in creative projects, while also enjoying the natural beauty and amenities of their surroundings.

Abstract

In their 14th week of nomadic living, Jill and Chris find themselves in a serene, park-like environment where they contribute to the property through artistic endeavors in exchange for accommodation and meals. They express gratitude for the energy and inspiration the place provides, highlighting their routine of painting and the appreciation they receive from the property owners. The couple has adapted to the local pace of life, enjoying the peaceful beauty around them, and have shifted from a planned mural to a mosaic project due to a moisture issue in the wall. They also share moments with wildlife, such as juvenile praying manti and various birds, and the joy of having a cat named Mandela as a painting companion. The week marks Jill's 200th article and crossing the 1K follower milestone on Medium, celebrating the growth of their journey and the community they are part of.

Opinions

The authors feel a sense of magic and rejuvenation in their current living environment, emphasizing its role in restoring their energy.
They value the exchange of services, such as painting and mosaic work, for the amenities they receive, considering it a fair and valuable trade.
The couple appreciates the beauty of their surroundings, including the eucalyptus trees, flowers, and wildlife, which they document and share through their photography.
They express a positive opinion about the property's restaurant, noting the affordability and quality of the meals prepared with fresh produce.
Jill and Chris enjoy the company of a cat named Mandela, who they've allowed to stay with them, indicating a fondness for animals and their presence in their daily lives.
The couple is enthusiastic about their nomadic lifestyle, having lived in various countries and now spending over two years on the African continent.
They are proud of their achievements on Medium, celebrating their 200th article and the growth of their followers, which signifies the impact and reach of their writing and photography.

WEEKLY WRAP-UP

We Are Living In A Park

My week in photos — Week 14— June 16–June 22, 2022

The path leading from our cabin to the restaurant. The trees are eucalyptus. Photo Credit: Author

I don’t want people to think that this is clickbait, but it really does feel like we are living in a park!

Today the property owner's brother was chatting with us and telling us how happy they are to have us adding some splashes of color and life to the property. We told him that we are equally as grateful to be living in a place that is so beautiful.

“Yeah, there is a magic to this place.” He said. “Whenever I go away and return I feel like it gives me back my energy, it never takes any away.”

Yes, we wholeheartedly agree and could not have said it better ourselves.

This is cabin row. Ours is the first one on the left called the ‘Rosemary’ cabin. Notice the big rosemary bush below our deck! Photo Credit: Author

Before I get too far into my week, I want to celebrate a little bit because this is my 200th article! Plus, during the past week, I crossed the 1K mark for followers! My Medium journey is on the up and up!

After our crazy rollercoaster last week, this week we settled into a nice routine. We have painted every day except Sunday, and aren’t in any hurry to rush into getting our days started either. We are really trying to just operate like the locals do, and not overdo it.

We did one day of gardening last week while we were waiting for the paint to arrive, and we were both exhausted after only a few hours. So our bodies clearly need to recuperate. I think we are in the right place to do so.

This is the bar area that looks out over the beautiful grounds. There is also a yoga studio upstairs. Photo Credits: Author

Because the property has a restaurant on-site, we are able to eat here each night. Meals cost $7-$9 each and are made with fresh-picked produce and delicious ingredients. Our daily spend is not much since we also get lunch included with our painting exchange.

It’s nice to be in a place where our services are appreciated and the exchange provides a lot of value. Here we even have electricity AND hot water!

We are in heaven!

Plus it is so nice to not have to go anywhere! We are able to just hang out here and take in the peaceful beauty around us. It really is a breath of fresh air.

Beautiful flowers are growing everywhere, and the hammocks don’t hurt either! Photo Credits: Author

Initially, we were supposed to paint a large mural on a wall in their bar area, but we noticed that there is peeling paint, and it turned out that there is a moisture problem in the cement of the wall. We did figure out where the moisture is coming from, and I hope it gets fixed, but it has compromised the wall a bit, and I don’t think paint will stay on it for long, either way.

After a bit of back and forth with the owner, we suggested doing some tiles.

“We could do a mosaic!” I exclaimed.

“Yes, we have a lot of old tile.” She replied.

So that is the plan now. We are just waiting for one of her workers to coat the wall with a thin layer of cement and fix the other problem on the back of the wall to mitigate the moisture seeping in. We really just want to strengthen the surface a bit, then we will get cracking. I have done a few mosaics in the past, so I look forward to this creative project as it is the first tile job that we have done on the road.

We have decided to just tile the bottom 3–4 feet, then will paint above it. I think it will turn out great. In the meantime, we have been painting table tops, pillars, and stools. Below are a few photos of our projects so far.

Adding Some Color To Where We Are Staying

It’s what we do.

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A few table tops, some pillars (in progress) and some uplifting messages. Photo Credits: Author

We have also had 2 encounters with juvenile praying manti that were both hanging out on red backgrounds.

It was like they were yelling “Hey, look at me!”

We will take them as a good sign and symbols that we are on the right track. Photo Credits: Author

Plus we like to take some time to go and check out the chickens and the rabbits that are on the property.

We think they have a pretty cool home! Photo Credits: Author

Of course, the flowers never fail to impress us, and we find new ones all the time that are growing in the various beds.

I just love the variety of color! Photo Credits: Author

And the birds are just incredible! There are numerous that hang out here in the trees. All day we hear them make their beautiful bird sounds, although when the Ibis fly over we feel like they are giving us crap for something with their raucous honks!

We have seen the most stunning sunbirds that are iridescent teal on their head, neck, and back, and bright yellow on their undersides. I tried to get photos of them but my iPhone just does not capture them in their full glory, plus they move around so fast!

So instead of birds, I will leave you with these photos of Mandela, who clearly loves to help us paint!

She is always curled up on one of us as we paint. Photo Credit: Author

I’m sure she is just happy to have found humans that allow her to steal our warmth! Ugandans aren’t exactly cat friendly, and they are usually just around to catch mice and rats. We let her stay in our room for a couple of nights until we discovered that she had done the unthinkable under the bed. She stays outside at night now!

Thanks for reading my weekly wrap-up! Hope everyone has had a great week!

xo Jill

I have put all of my weeks in photos into their own list:

Weekly Wrap-Ups - My Weeks In Photos

I joined the Weeds and Wildflowers publication prompt "My Week In Photos" in March 2022. This list features all of…

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Hi there, we are 2 Canadians, Jill and Chris from Artistic Voyages. We have been nomadic since 2017 living in numerous different countries, and experiencing the life and diversity of our planet on the ground and firsthand. We have now been on the African continent for over 2 years!

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