Seven Days at an Alpaca Farm - Winter Diary

Seven Days at an Alpaca Farm – Evansburg Winter Diary

The day I arrived in Evansburg, the world was covered in a blanket of snow. As I stepped out of the station, I could hear the faint crunch of snow beneath my feet, and in the distance, a coniferous forest stood silently. Through WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), I had arranged to stay at a farm for a week to experience farm life firsthand.

Days Spent with Alpacas

Alpacas were larger than I had imagined, with fully grown ones standing nearly as tall as me. Their big, round eyes gave them an innocent yet intelligent expression. Despite their gentle appearance, they became quite aggressive during feeding time, rushing toward the food as if fighting for it. What I feared most was their infamous “spit attack.” Alpaca spit contains digestive enzymes that give off a strong odor. Fortunately, I managed to avoid being spat on during my stay.

My main tasks included cleaning the barn, replenishing hay and feed, and ensuring the drinking water did not freeze. At -20°C, even these simple tasks became grueling. Every time I carried hay, its scent mixed with the smell of the animals, seeping into my nose, while my fingers nearly froze from the cold. However, seeing the alpacas happily munching on their food gave me a sense of fulfillment. When I cleaned the barn, they would peek at me from behind the shelter, as if supervising my work. These small interactions made the otherwise monotonous chores enjoyable.

I also learned a few things about alpacas. They are herd animals with generally mild temperaments, yet they sometimes fight over food. According to the farm owner, alpacas establish dominance by bumping into each other or biting ears. After observing them for a while, I noticed a social hierarchy within the herd—some individuals were more popular and always had a “group” around them.

The Farm’s Natural Beauty

Daily work was divided into two shifts: three hours in the morning and another three in the afternoon. During my free time, I explored the farm with my camera. This area has a typical inland climate with a boreal forest ecosystem, and I occasionally encountered birds I had never seen before. One day, I spotted a small bird hopping on the snow near the farm’s edge and quickly snapped a photo. It disappeared in an instant, but I managed to capture the moment.

Wild deer also roamed the farm. They were extremely cautious, always scanning their surroundings, ready to flee at the slightest sign of danger. One day, I hid inside the house and used a telephoto lens to capture a red short-horned deer standing in the snowfield, gazing into the distance. Its still yet powerful presence made for one of my most memorable photos of the trip.

Besides deer, I also encountered a snow hare. Its white fur blended seamlessly with the snow, making it almost invisible except for the glimmer in its eyes. The moment I crouched down to observe it, it sensed my presence and vanished into the forest in an instant.

Life with the German-Canadian Farm Owner

The farm owner was a German-Canadian with a straightforward personality and a unique sense of humor. His speech was concise and direct, but sometimes that made it amusing. His lifestyle was remarkably simple—breakfast consisted of oatmeal cooked in milk with banana slices every day, while lunch and dinner were basic toast sandwiches with cheese and ham, accompanied by warm vegetable soup.

Though the meals lacked variety, the hot soup was incredibly comforting in the cold weather. One evening, he offered me his homemade dark beer. It had a bitter taste, but the rich malt aroma stood out, warming me from the inside in the subzero temperatures.

Observing his lifestyle, I noticed that all his furniture was wooden and well-worn but carefully maintained. Every morning, he would check on the alpacas before sitting by the fireplace with a cup of coffee, gazing at the snowy landscape outside the window. This slow pace of life made me forget the hustle and bustle of the city, bringing a sense of peace to my mind.

Onward to a New Journey

The seven days passed in the blink of an eye, and the day of my departure arrived. In the same freezing weather, I shouldered my backpack and headed to the tracks by Evansburg station. From there, I would catch a train to my next destination, Edmonton. Standing beside the tracks, I turned back to see the alpacas leisurely munching on hay in the vast snowy landscape.

Life on the farm was physically demanding, but it gave me a profound sense of connection with nature. My journey would continue, but the time I spent in this snowy world would become a cherished part of my Canadian adventure.

Living here, I felt time slow down and my thoughts become clearer. I learned how to interact with animals, how to work efficiently in extreme cold, and how to find beauty in everyday life. Every experience was a valuable lesson from my travels.

This journey may be just a small chapter in my life, but it is one that will stay with me for a long time. With excitement for the new places and adventures ahead, I boarded the train, ready for the next leg of my journey.