Interview with Ezra

Amy Torkelson is hosting an interview with a Worldpacker named Ezra. Ezra is on a gap year and chose to stay with Worldpackers to travel affordably and volunteer. He appreciates the sense of community at The City Farm Empowered. Ezra has enjoyed trying new activities and has learned about sustainability while staying on the farm. He emphasizes the importance of having an open mind and being willing to try new things when traveling. Ezra's favorite animal on the farm is a cat named Pete. I'm your host, Amy Torkelson, here at The City Farm Empowered, helping you take the next best step next. I wanted to give a little intro here because we jumped right into this interview with Ezra and some of it might feel out of place. So my daughter, Kennedy, is co-hosting with me and our neighbor, Ms. Dell, also happened to be at our house while we were doing the interview, so she got to jump in with some questions. This is our World Packer, which will get explained a little bit more in the audio, and his name is Ezra. So we're going to go ahead and jump in. Enjoy. Welcome everyone. Today is the day that we are going to do a prank interview. So we get to ask Ezra some questions about his stay and future life plans. Do you want to ask your first question? Yes. Why do you want to be in your life? Well, the hope is to be a doctor. I don't know what type of doctor I'll be, but hopefully one that can make a difference in my life. So I'm going to ask Ezra some questions about his stay and future life plans. Do you want to ask your first question? Yes. Why do you want to be in your life? Well, the hope is to be a doctor. I don't know what type of doctor I'll be, but hopefully one that can make a difference in my life. Rewind a little bit, Ezra is a Worldpacker, which is a program where people get to come and stay for no monetary cost, but they work to stay. So tell us a little bit about why you chose Worldpacker, like what even brought you on this adventure to be here in Switzerland? Yeah. So I am currently on a gap year. I was going to be a sophomore in college and then for some reason, well, changed my major and was just like, I need to take some time to kind of figure some stuff out, just relax a little bit. And so I was researching online of like cheap ways to travel or like how to explore places in kind of a cost effective way. And I've always had the belief that community service, volunteering, that kind of thing is super important. So when I found Worldpackers, I was pretty excited because it not only takes away like one of the largest costs of accommodations or like living somewhere, but also you get to, in theory, like help someone out, volunteer, and actually hopefully make a difference with your stay. Yeah. Yeah. Well, you have. It's been lovely having you. Thank you. Most memorable part about Spokane for us was? I don't know if I can isolate one particular spot or one particular memory that's been the most memorable, but I think the thing that I've been kind of thinking about and contemplating in the last few days, especially as the end of the trip approaches, is kind of like what I've witnessed just like in the house and like being a witness to the type of community that you're trying to build. I think I, when I think about like even how I grew up or like where I was living, we kind of had that sense of community, right? Like I just think it's natural when you grow up in a neighborhood that everyone sort of checks in with each other, but I think it's been cool to, in particular, be living here because it feels like you, Amy, specifically try to like foster that environment of community. And I think that, I don't know, it's just been very cool to see that either throughout the neighborhood or like going to the community dinner or even just like when we were doing our garbage walk. Like that was a thing I would do as a kid with my dad every once in a while, and I think that bettering the place where you are, either through a material way like picking up trash or checking in with neighbors, is just a thing that I think is super important and makes me want to, I guess, continue that on when I get back to Lawrence, or I guess that idea that you can make differences on a micro level that can stir a sense of community, yeah. Make cookies in Slovakia. Yeah, exactly, right? Yes, because even if you can't speak the same language, people will accept your food. What are the highlights that your attribution of centuries has been? I think my favorite part of being here has just been finding something new to do every day. That's been pretty exciting, just like going through the website and looking at, okay, what is going to be the thing that captures my attention today, and like kind of getting out of my comfort zone with doing like Argentinian tango, or just finding the most random stuff and being like, okay, I'm here for two weeks, why not make the best of it, and just kind of putting myself out there and trying random stuff. Yeah. Does it inspire you when you go back to a regular routine after this year of adventure to push maybe yourself out of your comfort zone to, like, recognizing, like, wherever you live, there's always going to be those things? Yeah, absolutely. It's definitely made me think about, like, oh, all these things are probably available to me, like where I regularly am, it's just that I don't seek it out, or that I'm not, like, particularly attuned to it, right? But yeah, like, you know, when I was talking to the people in the tango class, they were like, guaranteed, you have a tango community where you live, and I was just like, oh, there are probably these places where I live, I just need to go out and search for them. Yeah, definitely makes me want to keep this sort of sense of adventure when I go back home. Yeah. Mistel, he did do this at, it was at the Corbin, it was, was it the Corbin? It was the Stinto Senior Activity Center, yeah. Oh, okay. He went to the Senior Center to do dancing, and it's open to the community. Wow. It was pretty cool. Yeah. So, I was thinking of you, and he said he was going to do that, and I was like, you should keep Mistel with you. Okay, a little more, like, farm-focused. What is something you learned to do while you were here? I think, I was actually reflecting on this a couple days ago, but being here really made me realize how easy it is to, like, be more sustainable or waste less than you currently are. Before I came here, I was just, like, a pessimist, like, even when it comes to, like, recycling, right? Like, it's very easy to get depressed because you can read statistics about, like, how much gets thrown away, even if you do put it in the recycling, or, like, you can look at a bunch of, like, wastelands or stuff, or trash in the ocean, right? Like, it's very easy to be, like, how am I, a singular person, going to make a difference, right? But I think that turns into kind of a fallacy, right? Because then, worst case scenario, you have literally everyone thinking that, like, in the United States, right? And that's where it does maybe start to, like, make an impact or a difference. So I think the thing that I kind of, I guess, came to be like, oh, this is actually really easy, and, like, a thing that I could very easily do, makes me, like, actually make that shift and be like, okay, this isn't that hard. Sure, it might not be, like, pushing the needle that much, but it's still a thing I can do, right? And especially if it's, like, minimal effort, why would I not? Yeah. The bystander effect. Everyone sees it, but nobody does anything. Yeah. So it's kind of that way, like, people think, I'm just a small piece, it's not going to make a difference. But if everyone did that, then it would make a difference. What struck you different here than what you are used to? That kind of goes in hand with the last question, and about recycling. Is there anything else? I'm trying to think. I think the, like, recycling is probably the biggest one, I guess. The only other thing is just, like, I don't know, when you're living on a farm, I feel like you have a lot more, like, tools, and you can just, like, do things, right? I don't know. Growing up, my parents would almost never do any sort of, like, handiwork themselves. Interesting. And I guess that's just, like, their culture, and they're, like, I don't know, comfortable enough that they're, like, I'm just going to hire someone else to do this, right? Yeah. Which is fair. Yeah. So it's been, like, cool to kind of see you be, like, we're just going to do this thing, right? And we're, like, think up a project idea and just be able to do it. And it's, like, either in front of your house, or I think it's going to, like, build on the farm, or, like, whatever. So I think that's definitely something very different that I didn't have at home, and certainly don't have living in my apartment. Yeah. I'm simply not able to, but, yeah, it's just a pretty big difference. Yeah. It's always actually super fascinating to hear this reflection, because I don't think of it as anything out of the normal. Yeah, yeah. Like, I've always done my own project. Right. So it's so interesting to hear that perspective. I love that. Okay. What would you tell someone, the next person, how to prepare to come here? I think this is generally just a good attitude for traveling, but also any sort of life experience in general, is just, like, keeping an open mind to everything, being willing to either try new things, or just kind of absorb and observe everything. Because there are going to be differences that there's some sort of apprehension towards, but then they'll, like, grow to appreciate, or whatever. And I think you can only sort of soak up as much from the experience as you are willing to, like, keep your mind open to. So I think mostly just open minds, be willing to try new things. Yeah. That's about it. Bring boots. Yeah. No, I would say to bring boots. My Vance has been through a lot, but the amount of boots on him now, I will say, boots would have been a problem eventually. I love it. Mistel, what questions do you have? Kennedy's going to ask a question while you think of one. Okay, good idea. What is your favorite animal on the farm? My favorite animal on the farm? Well, I've got to say, I've never really been a cat person, but I was walking out the door one day, and Pete just, like, looked at me, and was doing the thing where he was, like, brushing up against my leg, and was just being, like, the sweetest little cat ever. And in my head, I was like, I don't really know what I'm supposed to do here, because I'm just not a cat person, never really been around it. But he was very, he was almost like a dog. And I just started petting him, and he was, like, just, like, leaping into my arms, practically. And I was like, okay, I'll let this happen, because he's a super affectionate cat. But yeah, I've got to say, he's probably my favorite. I will say, though, the chickens, it was, I feel like, at first, I noticed them being afraid of me, almost. But then, definitely, towards the end, they just started, like, following me. Like, I came out of the basement, and they were, like, all five of them were just, like, waiting there for me, and just walking at me. And I was like, what is this? What's happening? They think they're dangerous. What a weird phenomenon! Yeah, exactly. But Peter was raised, born and raised in the chicken coop, and then he was raised by me. Well, you did a pretty good job. He was the only one that, he was the only cat that wanted to hang out with me. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I guess my question would be how difficult it was to get used to different customs. Because when we were living in Turkey, you know, for me, if an older person didn't have a place to sit, you'd give them up your chair. Well, in Turkey, they wouldn't allow me to do that. We got onto the train, the train was packed, and so we're standing. This little old lady that was, I mean, she was tiny and so old, and she got up and gave me her seat. Oh my gosh. So here you have two different customs. Because that's not my way, you know, and until the men actually got angry and made me, you know, I had to take the seat. So have you run against anything like that? I don't think any sort of, like, customs in particular, just because I think that culture across the United States usually translates pretty well. I will say, though, like, I just have the chronic, like, Midwestern, like, nod and smile just, like, ingrained in me. I don't know. Here, it definitely wasn't returned. Oh, interesting. And I kind of noticed that in, like, whenever I travel, and it's like a cognitive thing that I have to do to see, like, okay, you can't just, like, smile at everyone you walk past. Yeah. But you can. For sure. Yeah, it's just, like, sometimes you get, you know, nothing or just, like, a look or, like, but yeah, that was a thing that I had to be like, oh, I'm not in Kansas. This probably isn't part of the culture. Yeah. Yeah, that was only the, that was pretty much the only thing that I really noticed. I love that. See, I'm the opposite way where I do it on purpose to make people uncomfortable. Or, like, the Centennial Trail is actually, like, the place runners will always say hello. Yeah. So, going, if you want somebody to smile back at you, go on the Centennial Trail. Interesting. And it is, it's, like, a different posture because that community, the running community, is much more, like, hey, we're on the scene. Yeah. Whatever. Yeah. Interesting. Super interesting. But that's interesting that you noticed that. Yeah. It's hard to imagine living in a place where everyone just does that. Yeah. It's, like, pretty natural of, like, not everyone will give you a smile, but usually you'll get, like, a, like, a downward head nod or, like, some sort of acknowledgement. Yeah. Right. Like, when you're just, like, walking down the street or something. Yeah. What is your favorite farm chore? My favorite farm chore? Huh. I don't know. I didn't get a lot of chores, per se, while I was here. Yeah. It was just, like, the different projects and tasks. But I think, I don't know, as much trouble as the nails gave me, just, like, nailing the boards, either, like, the siding or, like, the wood in the interior of the greenhouse was just, like, it's, like, just, like, cathartic, mindless work. Yeah. That was awfully nice. And you're, I mean, at the end of the day, you know it's going towards something. Yeah. Right. Yeah. It is a somewhat easy task, but so enjoyable, and you know it's doing something. Yeah. I totally forgot about this. Tell us a little bit about your experience with Alex, the kid that came with you. Oh, my God. I forgot about that. He was a sweet kid, for sure. I was, when he asked if he could work, I was just, like, kind of chuckling to myself, and I was thinking about, like, would I ever do this when I was, like, 11, right? Yeah. Like, I don't know, that's just, I was a pretty shy kid, and I was thinking about it, and I was, like, honestly good on him, because it's, like, I don't, like, how long was he walking, you know? Yeah. Like, how long was he walking before he found us, and was, like, hey, can I work for you? Yeah. But, yeah, I thought he was a super sweet kid, like, was telling me, he was talking to me, and was, like, she told me she was going to pay me $15 an hour, and I was, like, curious. This was super sweet. I mean, he was, like, if I work for three hours, that means I was, like, $45. He was, like, yeah. He was, like, I think my goal is $30. I was, like, okay, well, I hope that happens for you, and he was talking to me and was telling me about, like, I think in total, it's six kids, and he was talking to me, and I was, like, what are you going to do with the money? And he was, like, well, I always buy my brother things, so I think this time I'm going to, he needs to get a job and pay for his own things, so this time I'm going to, after this, I'm going to go to the store and buy my sister something. Oh. That was just, like, that's really, really sweet. Yeah. To be able to do work for an hour and still be, like, I'm going to spend this on someone else rather than just myself, but I don't know. It was definitely interesting, like, again, couldn't see myself doing that when I was 11, couldn't see my, me now would be willing to spend my, like, working money on another person, but I don't know if I would do that at 11 or whatever, so it was just interesting to think about, like, a literal 11-year-old doing that, so it was neat. It's so interesting, like, I think the only reason that I care enough to do it is because I was that kid, and I feel like the people who said yes to me are the people who helped me be an entrepreneur today, and so I always want to give people, like, the chance and belief when they're 10, you know, that, like, actually, if you just ask enough people, you're going to get to do the thing. Like, did your parents hire kids when you were a kid? Like, do you remember? Well, they had kids. They didn't need to. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, like, even then, even when we were kids, like, we were pretty, and this also could be a function of me being the last child and by, like, a margin, too. Being the youngest child by a margin. Yeah. I also probably just got it easier, but, like, say, I had, like, some pretty, like, low-level tasks, just, like, taking my dad, like, I didn't even have to do my laundry because my mom was a stay-at-home mom, but, like, taking out the trash, doing the dishes sometimes, but even then, like, I could easily point to my much older brother and sister and be like, you do this, not me. Yeah. So, yeah, I mean, like, didn't really have very many chores, but even if, like, I have some memories of, like, younger, like, teenagers coming up and, like, knocking on our door and being like, can you hire for yard work? My dad would be like, absolutely not. Really? Because he was just, like, of the opinion that he could do it himself, right? And he was just like, why would I hire someone else to do this? Right. So, yeah, definitely wasn't his priority. Yeah. It definitely, like, challenged me because I'm like, I don't want to spend, I would not spend my money to hire someone to do this task. Like, it's about building character and, like, that skill set than it is about paying for the task to be done. Right. So, it's an interesting, like, push and pull. So, does that, like, change your opinion or, like, do you think you'll hire a kid someday to write your leave? I don't know. I feel like, yeah. Does that experience with Alex, like? Yeah, for sure. Like, I think it's, because obviously young kids, what, I think the law is, like, 16, right? Like, you can't work underneath 16. So, it's like, I do think that there is value in, like, teaching kids, like, hey, you can work for money and, like, use that for something, right? Yeah. Also, when you're a kid, like, money just spends differently than when you're an adult, right? Like, when you have, like, how many meals paid for, you can get different things or, like, so, I don't know. I do think that that is important and, yeah, I don't know. Maybe I'll do that in the future. Yeah. It's just been cool to have you, like, witness these things that I don't even necessarily have planned. Like, they just happen and things, and you're like, okay, like, this is our life. Yeah. For sure. Michelle, any other questions? All right. Well, thank you for joining us for this few weeks. Yeah. Of course, thank you for having me. Yes. You've been a great first guest. It makes me hopeful about future young adults. Yeah, hopeful to treat you well. Yeah. Get work done. Cool. Well, thanks for taking time to do this little interview, and best of luck on all your future travels coming up this year. Yeah. Should be fun.