In spring 2026, I spent four weeks volunteering through Workaway in the mountains near Fethiye in southwestern Turkey. I stayed with a local family and helped look after their garden, working with olive trees and herbs, planting, and learning how to build a simple irrigation system.

I also got to take part in the village's shared water system, where waterways are opened in turns to bring mountain water down for local use. It was fascinating to see how everyday life worked in a small mountain community where many things are done very differently from what I am used to.

Living with the family made the experience incredibly immersive. I learned about local food and cooking, became part of their everyday life and got to experience traditions I would never have encountered as a visitor. One of the highlights was being invited to their friends' wedding ceremony in the mountains. Getting to spend a month living very remotely in the mountains while experiencing a completely different way of life was a really special experience.