How I Found My Farm in the Colombian Countryside

Since I started my home search over three years ago, I have always approached it the same way: talking, aka word of mouth. I have approached most things in my life this way.

When I decided to quit my job to travel, I started talking to people. I mentioned my plan and that I would find a remote job. I had no idea, but I just told others my plans and what I wanted.

It worked. I landed two remote jobs as a nurse before remote work became popular, and all of my jobs were found via word of mouth. I have not updated my resume since 2016 or somewhere around then, and I was fully employed until I decided to leave the ¨rat race¨.

I started my home search the same way. Since the invention of the internet, most people have thought that everything they want or need is online. Well, most things are, but that is not always the best way to find things.

However, putting my faith in myself and others always works out much better than relying on a piece of technology. I know the lost art of peopling, which most people try to avoid.

Except I am my grandmother’s grandchild. Both of them were social butterflies. Both of them taught me the fine art of socializing and being able to talk to people, read them, and understand them.

We humans are not so complicated, and I know many people always complain and say how much they dislike people. I have said the same, usually to appease others, but to be honest, I love people.

It is the only reason I was good at my jobs as a waitress, nurse, and other random jobs I have had. That is probably why I like to write; I like to talk. Not always, and yes, if I am not careful, I can drain my energy, but overall, I enjoy people, yes, even as an introvert.

People think introverts can’t be social, but we can be social when we want. They also believe we do not like people, which can be true for some but not me. If I am being honest, I think many people are miserable, which makes it very difficult and taxing to be around, except not here in Colombia, which is probably why I love it so much here.

I love people stopping by, waving at me, wanting to chat. I came home from town today, and my neighbor was here at my house with my roommate, looking at my garden.

He taught me how to garden and care for the land; he is a wealth of knowledge. Living about three houses down, he has known the area his entire life.

My grandmothers would be proud that I know all of my neighbors and sit and talk to them. When I was a kid, my mother used to be the same. We were always visiting my neighbors, having sweet tea, and sitting on the front porch.

Oh yeah, back on topic, how did I find my little farm?

Word of mouth and a friend of a friend. I mentioned I wanted to buy a farm, and someone we knew from the school was selling his little farm.

I looked at it three times and decided to buy it. We did not use a lawyer; we went to the notary and a few other government buildings to get the proper papers. It was a cash-pay deal, and then I signed the papers.

Today, I got my official documents that I am a homeowner.

So, in-person communication is not a lost art, especially here in Colombia. It is the best way to find anything you need, and it is even better if you can speak to them in their language.

My Spanish is not fluent, but it’s good enough to be able to get what I need and get to know all of my neighbors, so never underestimate people. Even introverts might have the gift of gab, especially when you come from a long line of gabbers.

I remember one time my grandmother was teaching me a lesson. I forgot about what, but it must have been about safety because she said

¨Sara, I never have to worry about you getting kidnapped. You would talk your way out of it, or them to death, and they will bring you back home¨.

Hehe!

XOXO

S

Want to see my house 👇

https://youtu.be/ORIEnXAxLYQ