A worms essay- "The "odour" of an "Earth Garden" accommodation place"

The view of the Air BnB cabin September 2016 at Caretaker Farm 

One day a worm came into my house on a cabbage that I had picked from my garden. The worm was inadvertently captured by me. I picked the worm up and put it on my hand, examined it and then carefully took it outside and placed it onto the earth garden.

 Now that I have started taking Air BnB customers I am starting to feel like the worm: picked from my garden , put on the hand, examined ("the Air BnB review") but not so carefully put back into my earth garden although life does go on when the guest has gone.

 Back in October we began our listing through Air BnB: it was the 2 bed cabin under the Japanese Fir trees that was the first of the listed spaces. We charged $65 a night with free wifi and a simple breakfast.

The 2-bed cabin

The first couple noted the "odour"on the very used ex-wwoofer bedding so we purchased new bedding in the form of sheets, duvets and covers.

The second couple were dismayed enough about the Mason Bee nest on the curtains ( the wwoofer who cleaned didn't check the curtains) that they left without saying goodbye even though I gave them a very good description of Mason Bee habits, (they should see some of the book spines in the Barn library) and assured them they were not dangerous-or at least that the spiders in the encased pupae were there for the purpose of feeding the mason bee and not bothering them.

 The third guest noted the dust, bugs and odours.

Inside the 2-bed cabin

The fourth guests were placed in the small pink cabin which hadnt been used for some time-they were kind and accepting but also noted the "odours".

 At this point the worm is feeling very depressed despite the comments of being "warm and welcoming" and "lovely". How can the EARTH GARDEN meet the standards of the Air BnB customer.

 We then began offering the re-painted bedroom of the old "wwoofer" house or the original goat home of 26 years ago.

The old goat house then wwwofer house and now eco-backpacker

The first guests were a family of three-the private review was very long, quite helpful and gave me lots of good tips on what to add for the guests comfort-we are charging at this stage $45 a night for three beds in a spacious room. The guest says "This Air B&B is a work in progress, adding an Air B&B to an existing backpacker / woofer site. Audrey is doing a lot of work to make it more comfortable, but as at December 2016 was a little rough and ready and a bit on the woofer side. It is good value for money and you are entering into someone else's lifestyle for the experience. Lots of animals, lots of plant life. If you don't need a sanitized site and have experience with composting toilets, give it try. Audrey is lovely and is putting a lot of work into the redecoration and development of this site. Get involved in a work in progress!".

The worm is very flattered but sad at the same time....so we repaint the entire building inside white-thanks to my German relatives coming to the rescue at this point.

The 3-bed backpacker room

 Other guests arrive in a flurry as it is the Christmas holidays and accommodation in this beach tourist area is scarce and often expensive. A recurring statement is "odours"

          What can I do?

This is a farm full of animal and plant smells, the bush surrounding the buildings smells, the compost toilet (if full of too much pee) smells...I am unsure of how to remedy all the smells without keeping the buildings completely closed up and putting a chemical odour such as "lavender", or "pine forest" into each room.

Just for the purposes of clarification: Odour is defined as odour ˈəʊdə/noun 1.a distinctive smell, especially an unpleasant one. "the odour of cigarette smoke" synonyms: smell, scent, aroma, perfume, fragrance, bouquet, savour, nose, tang, essence, redolence; More 2.a lingering quality or impression attaching to something. "an odour of suspicion" synonyms: atmosphere, air, aura, quality, spirit, flavour, savour, emanation, hint, suggestion, impression, whiff, ambiance, tone "an odour of suspicion" The word has its origin from Latin odor, meaning ‘smell, scent’ and then it became "odour" in Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French.

Just thought I would share this information for all to enjoy being that the worm is or was an ex-english teacher.

The last review I received  when drafting this essay was from two immaculately presented American tourists who at first glance I thought would look down their clearly "middle-class" noses at the accommodation, worry about the "odours" and give me less than a 5 star review,  but instead I received this..... “In short, this farm is magical — A destination in and of itself! Accommodations are modest, but in line with sustainable eco-farm living. Audrey is such a sweetheart and is so dedicated to caring for the land and her guests. She also offers fresh, nutritious meals at a very reasonable price and was even accommodating for my vegetarian diet. Also, be sure to allow time for exploring the whimsical paths that criss-cross all the way through her back woods area. ”

Early days of the Mana garden

At this point I should add that I am constantly fighting the re-entry of spiders into rooms that have been scrupulously cleaned--the worm is fighting a losing battle against the Earth Garden creatures who wish to invade the human spaces.

So what is the lesson for the worm in her Earth Garden? Accept that I cant please all these Air BnB guests with their city or sanitized noses....this Earth Garden where the worm lives is indeed "magical" and "environmentally" considerate despite its "odours" and more suitable for the worm and the guests of the Earth Garden than so many places elsewhere.

Finally look at the price-the 3-bed room is between $55 and $60 a night (depending on whether its the weekend) and the Cabin with 2 beds is either $50 or $60 per night-what do you expect for these rates-definitely not an "odourless" palace if you are seeking accommodation in the Earth Garden. .