The Loft

How shall I describe my experience at Bee Heaven Farm? How about I start with my bed.

Yesterday I arrived in Miami FL right on time and somehow made it through public transportation all the way down to Homestead for about $3. Much thanks to several very helpful people.

Nick and Margie drove down to the bus stop and picked up me and my bags. It was after dark by then. After taking me out for supper, they took me to the farm, directly to the barn, my new home. On both ends of the large metal barn they have lofts. Pedro, an all-year-round intern type fellow from Guatamala uses the West loft as his home. The East loft is larger and has storage, a lounge, and four beds, partitioned with bamboo panels. I have the run of the loft, for now, so I had the pick of the beds.

First, I picked the cozy-looking one, at an angle under the lower roof, right on the edge of the loft so I could look over the barn directly from my bed if I wanted. I spent a very comfortable night there, but found the roof is just too low for everyday living . . . I kept banging my head on the support cables, which are cushioned with foam swimming noodles for a reason. So in the morning, I cleaned out and moved into the partition directly next to the "lounge." I thought I wanted the one next to it for the power outlet, but then realized when other people are here, they would have to come into MY "room" to get their appliances plugged in. I decided to let another be that person.

The bed is a mattress lying on a box with three large drawers. At the head I have utilized the metal frame of the barn as shelving for books, flashlight, and alarm clock. (And the power strip I found and plugged into the outlet in the next partition.) At the foot of the bed is an end table with three different surfaces: one for the hairbrush and toiletries, one for the laptop and other electronics, and one for misc stuff, or personal paperwork. My trunk barely fits behind the end table, only shrinking the tight 1 and 1/2 foot walking space by an inch or so. On one of the roof cables hangs some clothes, which push nicely together against the bamboo wall right over the middle of my bed.

This, my friends, is living conservatively. That's alright with me so far, as I have a barn and a small farm to tromp about with cats, dogs, a horse, chickens, and plenty of songbirds. And many many interesting plants, many of which I've seen before and never been told about, like the cassava and banana plants. Sometimes when I hear the roosters kaw-ku-doodle-doo-ing, and feel the stick of humidity, I think for a moment I'm back in East Africa. But, then there is no annoying mosquito net to crawl under when I go to bed in my little bamboo room.