WWOOF in China Part 1: The beginning

The day had come for me to meet my host family. I was to leave my partying lifestyle behind and head to the country on the outskirts of Hong Kong. For those of you that don't know, WWOOF is an international organization comprised of Farmers and Budget Travelers. The traveler works on the farm and the farmer provides free accommodation and possibly food. This was to be my first experience and although I was excited to experience the culture, I was scared more than anything. WWOOFing doesn't have that big of a presence in China which made it hard for me to do my research on this host family. Here I am, trusting people I have never met before with my life in a foreign country. Well, I'd never know until I tried it right? Unfortunately, all the horror hostel/human trafficking movies left me with nothing but negative thoughts. I arrived to the Fanling Station where Teresa and Augustine (owners of the farm) and a friend of theirs were waiting for me. From the minute I arrive, I am judging every little thing. My first impression of them was positive and they could speak very good English. Still, I couldn't unclench my phone that was ready to make that emergency call if needed. Paying attention to the questions they were asking me regarding my friend who lives close and how I had money for this trip made me suspicious. As I tried to remain respectful, attentive and excited on the outside, all I could really pay attention to was the sound of my loud heart beat. They said they were taking me to dinner but was that really where we were going? Judging the area, things looked a little suspect. Haha, I know I was freaking myself out more than anything. Thank God, dinner was indeed where they took me. A Traditional Chinese Style Dinner set in an open alley way under the nights sky. Tables were lined up all the way down, it was loud, cramped, and well...Chinese. Finally, I felt my nerves slowly start to relax as I conversed with the 3 of them and learned that my host family are former world travelers themselves. I was happy and comfortable with the way things were going, plus the food was delicious. However, the night was not over and my fear was not completely gone. The time had come for them to drop me off in Hok Tau Village where I would be living. The thoughts that were flashing in my head would not stop during the ride there: "please don't let there be a van full of sex trader guys waiting and ready to take me away," "wow, this is in the middle of nowhere, I couldn't run away even if I tried it's so damn dark," "where are the lights," "great, are those stray dogs? I didn't get my rabies shot." We walk up and Teresa gives me my keys to unlock the door myself, lights on...................this quaint little place all to myself!? Running hot water, living room, bathroom, 2 bedrooms, washer/dryer and kitchen. I couldn't believe it. The next day, Teresa even took me grocery shopping to fill the fridge and pantry. Man was I relieved! There really are good people in this world!