As an ESC volunteer in Cortijo los Baños….

Arriving in Almeria with our suitcases and backpacks, we had our first encounter with each other and the other girls from the project. We all came from different countries - Germany, Portugal, Italy, Poland, and even Turkey. None of us knew exactly what to expect, but we hardly needed time to warm up. Already on the first evening, we were comfortable with each other. There was really no other choice - we would be sleeping in the same room and spending every day together from then on.

The European Solidarity Corps volunteering project in Cortijo los Baños is unique because it takes place in an ecovillage. It is located in the middle of the Tabernas Desert in Spain, the only desert in Europe. Permaculture and sustainability are central here, and volunteers take on the tasks necessary to keep the ecovillage running. From planting vegetables to caring for the farm animals - we pitch in everywhere.

The beauty of this volunteering service is that you have to get your hands dirty. Whether it's scooping compost, cleaning stalls, or weeding - at the end of the day, your fingernails are guaranteed to be dirty. But getting to witness and take part in this process, from seedling to food. from waste to fertilizer, it is genuinely worth it. With a little effort and everyone pitching in,  all sorts of things can grow in the middle of the desert - aromatic plants like rosemary, sage, and lavender, aloe vera and olive trees, figs, cherries, oranges, and pomegranates. Thanks to our efforts, we get to enjoy healthy and organic meals every day, of which all of them are also vegetarian.

The timing of our project proved to be perfect. Spring in the Cortijo is magical. From March to May, you can experience the various trees and flowers in bloom. Mornings are relatively cool, but it gets pleasantly warm during the day. You can wake up to the peaceful chirping of birds every morning and watch the stars and moon so clearly at night. Completely surrounded by nature, it's simply paradise on earth.

However, away from society, everyday stress but also the comfort of one's own home - you still have to expect a few inconveniences. Encountering a wild boar at least once at night is guaranteed. Occasionally, you also have run-ins with mice or even snakes when using the dry toilets. If boredom is a problem for you, Cortijo los Baños is probably not the right place for you.

You have to be able to entertain yourself, whether it's through painting, hiking, reading, and more. Though, in just 20 minutes walking distance, you're in the village Lucainena de las Torres, where you can also have tapas with the other volunteers on the weekends.

Nevertheless, although spatially completely isolated, in the Cortijo you are always surrounded by people. The ecovillage wouldn’t function without community. Communal living comes easier to some than others. You get to know each other very well, perhaps sometimes too well, but there’s always something you can learn from each other. Coliving meetings are vital to the community’s well functioning. They provide space for emotional vulnerability, addressing conflicts openly and finding practical solutions.

Cortijo los Baños is the perfect place if you want to introspect and better understand yourself and your position in the world. You can explore yoga and meditation for yourself and really unwind. At the same time you can learn to understand others and what harmonious living truly requires. Here, you can grow a green thumb and bond with all types of animals. You can explore healthy nutrition and vegetarianism. Most importantly, here, you learn to appreciate the little things - enjoying every sunrise and every meal without hurry. You learn that life can be different.

If you're lucky, you'll find not only lifelong friends but also inner peace and a deeper connection with mother nature.