Date: 2018-08-21
From: Yellow Deli Hostel

To: The Yellow Deli Farm
Miles today: 0.0

I didn't fall off the bunk last night. Everyone was sleeping still when I got up. I prepared my pack to slack pack today. Scissors had setup a slack pack 20 miles ahead from Rutland, VT. Yellow Deli provided free breakfast to hikers. It was an egg scramble with veggies and faro rice. We had coffee and mate. It was so good. Ashe asked if anyone wanted to go to the farm to volunteer. Scissors and Kazi didn't feel like hiking today and got several other people at the table to go to the farm. I decided to go as well since I wanted to see what the Yellow Deli cult was all about. We cancelled our slack pack and got ready for the farm! Woman had to wear a specific garb that included long loose pants and a blouse. They looked like they were from the 1800s. We all met downstairs where Ashe gave us free peach mate from the back. We started feeling energized from the drink. I don't know what that put in that stuff. We walked out back and got on a short blue bus. We took some peach mate to go.  We only got 5 miles from the deli when we stopped for gas. Ashe had to top off the oil in the bus since it was low. We headed back on the road only to turn around 5 miles ahead since Ashe thought he put gas in the tank when he didn't. By this time an hour had passed and the we started mate crashing. We kept making jokes that the mate was taking our brains over. Ashe switched driving with Lemanual who ran the farm. We continued driving for another 45 minutes until we arrived at the farm. Lemanual was in his 70s and had joined the community 30 years ago. He was married before but got divorced when he joined the community. He showed us around the farm and explained what was growing. They tried to plant certain flowers and herbs that attracted good bugs. We went to the barn to see the goats and cows. After exploring the farm we sat down to eat lunch. They served us goat's milk sweetened with chocolate and maple syrup and wraps with fresh vegetables. We were spoiled with good food. Lemanual talked about the religion and the different communities around the world. They got olive oil from their community in Spain and mate from Brazil. They got goods from communities all over the world. Lemanual made a racist comment with the n word but referred to himself when using it. Everyone got quiet and I thought about the racist grandpa. We asked why he used that word but didn't really have an answer.  After lunch we went to the fields to pull weeds from carrot plants. Xaer was there help us out. We asked him all sorts of questions about the religion. They didn't allow homosexuals in the community. They promoted childbirth over any other recreation. Children were homeschooled and trained in their ways. Sex was not seen as enjoyment but as a way to create offspring. If they had a medical emergency they would go to the hospital. They worked 6 days a week and had Sabbath on Saturdays. When someone joined they would share their possessions with the community. If someone was in debt they would pay it off when they joined. We asked him questions until it was goat milking time. The goats were bread to produce more milk then their offspring needed. They would milk them everyday. Scissors and Gigs had a hand at milking the goats. They missed the bucket a few times. After the milking it was time to go. We all got back on the bus and headed back to Rutland. Lemanual changed drivers out of town with Ashe. Ashe said we could all get free sandwiches for helping on the farm! I was super excited for more tasty food.Back at the Yellow Deli we all sat at a large round table and ordered our free sandwiches. We played a phrase and picture telephone game that produced some pretty crude stories. I got a ruben with a bowl of potato cheddar soup. It was amazing. After dinner I went to Walmart to pick up some supplies and a pomace stone to scrub my feet. I went back to the hostel and took a shower. I stayed up a little late to wait for my socks to dry. At 11 pm it was time for bed.Tonight I'm thinking about how to escape The Yellow Deli.