October 3, 2018 – Willow Creek, California

Day two.

Day shift. More processing of wine. “Punching down” of the fermenting grapes in the vats. Bottling of the finished product. Filming. Family meals.

Enter Gianni: a younger woman from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Fellow Midwesterner. Well, she’s…uhh…

Focus, Nicholas.

It’s afternoon; my mind is set on getting interviews before it’s too late. Rein’s turn. I happily accept. Afterwards, he offers me a copy of The Bhagavad Gita (a Hindu book about selfless action, paths to spirituality, and the moral conflicts of human existence). This has been on my reading list for quite some time. Upon seeing me perusing the book, Nehem presents his copy to compare. What? Actually, I’m not that surprised. Later on, Gianni walks by and inquires…

THEN SHE BRINGS OUT HER COPY.

This is one of the most incredible groups of people I’ve ever encountered. (What journey are they on? What are they trying to learn about themselves? About the world? About life?)

I offer to drive Gabriela, Rein, and Gianni into town to hit the thrift stores. Upon hearing of Scott’s birthday, I decide to get him a little gift. We also venture to the health food store, since Gianni is admirably vegan and needs some special food items. God, I wish I had the willpower.

After dinner, we give Scott a proper WWOOFer birthday party. Socializing. Drinking. Ice cream. I give him his gift: a pair of crocheted Rastafarian-colored-too-small-for-a-33-year-old underwear with a big-ol’ marijuana leaf on the crotch. Perfect. This presentation is good for some laughs. I then teach the gang how to play Presidents and Assholes – one of my favorite and most well-known drinking games.

Sober October, Nick. Stay strong.

And before it gets too late, I wish the gang a good night. I want to spend more time with them, but for anyone who has attempted sobriety in these situations, we know how difficult it can be. Additionally, I feel a strong connection with these people. And in that connection lies an innate fear of getting attached to people that I know I will be leaving behind soon. And in that fear lies an innate unwillingness to get closer to them and cause myself further emotional pain when I leave. Selfish.

This is the sad reality of the nomadic lifestyle – or at least in my perspective –

the fear of making real friends.

“It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else’s life with perfection.” – Anonymous, The Bhagavad Gita