The Valley
Frequently Asked Questions
I own a Valley high up in the mountains in Murcia, Spain. Besides living here, I do hosting for volunteers. I run The Seasonal Experience Academy, an immersive academy in sustainable living. I do therapy, healing, and life coaching. Guests, volunteers, students, and clients sometimes have questions that are not answered on my web pages. So, I have gathered them all here.
Q: Official language?
The official language in the Valley is English. Well developed skills in the English language will be necessary as we are discussing quite a few technical projects here.
Q: How can I get a very cheap rental car from Alicante Airport?
The cheapest way to get to the Valley without coming with your own car is to rent a car at Alicante Airport! I normally pay only 2-10 euros/day! But be aware, it is easy to be scammed! Check out my Complete Guide for renting cars at Alicante Airport!
Q: How far is the nearest town? Pharmacies, supermarkets...
The valley is about a 20-minute drive from the nearest town, with all he commodities, like a police station, medical center, market, grocery stores, banks, ATMs, restaurants, pubs, and shopping. It takes about 45 minutes by bicycle to get to the town, and about 90-120 minutes to get back up again! It takes approximately 3 hours to walk.
Q: What do we need to bring as essentials?
Consider bringing:
Clothes and shoes for the seasons you will be here! Annually, temperatures range between -3c to +40c (26f to 104f). Prepare for strong wind, sun, and rain now and then.
I recommend bringing slippers, sandals, hiking shoes, normal shoes, and work shoes.If you stay for a long time (more than 3 weeks), you will probably join in on some of our excursions. So bring some extra cash (Euros) for entrances, food, beverages, carpooling, etc. As a general tip in Spain, always have about 50 euros in cash available.
Toiletries. Washing detergent (biodegradable is not necessary but welcomed).
Towels, beach towels, and toilet paper are provided for you for free.Medication and/or prescriptions (if needed), glasses.
Sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and a sunhat/cap (April-October).
If you come for physical work, bring work clothes and shoes (gloves, ear mufflers, and protective goggles are provided). Expect stains and heavy wear on your work clothes.
We have a very strong and fast WiFi connection (Starlink) with unlimited data, so you can bring a laptop, phone, iPad, speakers, etc. Remember to bring your charging devices for your electronics! (WiFi is provided for free for you)
Entertainment. Although some books, 1 TB of movies and audiobooks, cards, board games, frisbees, footballs, bows and arrows, and a guitar are available for everyone. Consider bringing a headset or earplugs so you can watch a movie or listen to music, or audiobooks in the evenings without disturbing others.
Food and beverages (see below).
Q: Do we have to bring our own food and water?
Drinking water is provided. Available food in the greenhouse is free for everyone.
SEA Students and guests are responsible for buying their own food (greenhouse food is still free, though).
Volunteers and clients are fully provided for, with 3 meals a day. A varied menu with lots of options. No extra costs.
Coffee, tea, soda, etc., are not provided. Neither are snacks, sweets, or cookies. So bring it and/or buy it on our weekly shopping trips.
Q: Can we pay with a card?
The valley provides no payment services for cards or paying by phone. However, you can pay via PayPal or with Cash (Euros). ATMs are located in all nearby towns and cities. There is nothing in the Valley that is for sale, so you won’t use any money there. Accommodations and academies are prepaid online according to a confirmed booking. You will need money for visiting places outside the Valley and for car pooling.
Q: How can we wash our clothes?
We have a normal (6 liter - 1.5 gallon) washing machine at the valley. We also built a large (50 liter -13 gallon) hand-cranked washing machine (dryer) that you can use. The nearest town also has a laundromat (self-service laundry).
Q: Is grey water recycled? Do we need to use biodegradable products?
Grey water is filtered and recycled for outdoor use at fields and plants. The filtration system can handle normal soap, shampoo, detergent, toothpaste and cleaning products. Biodegradable products is not required, but welcomed.
Q: How much storage space do we have?
With the accommodation comes a 61-liter (3.5 cubic feet) storage box (Plastic Forte #7) (71x43x32 cm, 28x17x12.5 inches).
It contains the bedding set for you and can be used for the storage of your personal belongings. There is also storage space under your bed for your backpack/bag.
For long-term visits (more than 3 weeks), there are two more 61-liter storage boxes available per person.
I have a small safe, where I can lock in your valuables.
Q: How about insurance?
Everyone is responsible for their own insurance. Insurance is not covered by me. I take no responsibility for your personal belongings. Make sure you have good travel insurance.
Q: There are many people using the bathroom, can we leave toiletries there?
There are space for leaving your toothbrush/toothpaste, soap and shampoo at the bathroom. The rest is recommended to be stored in your storage box at your accommodation.
Q: Would it be possible to pitch a tent?
There is plenty of space to put up tents. Either close to the common areas or more private on the other side of the valley. The same thing goes for camper vans and RVs. Bringing a tent is an excellent way to create one more private space for yourself. There are also two hanging beds in the Valley for anyone to use. Ask for the mosquito netting, and bring the mattresses/bedding from your accommodation and create an incredible nature experience under the stars, in the summer months (April-November).
Under the large Philosopher Tree, we have several hammocks/hammock chairs for anyone to use to relax in the shade during a hot summer day.
Q: Emergency, first aid, security
I have prepared plans for any realistic emergency at the mountain and the Valley. In the Retro-fit Earthship I have 2 first aid kits; a Boo Boo kit and a Trauma kit. I feel confident that with my training from the Special Forces and later as a volunteer for Protection Civil, I will be able to handle any need for first aid in the Valley. Then we have evacuation plans to the nearest medical center or hospital if necessary. The mountain has park rangers (Guardia Civil) that we can contact in serious situations.
Toxic behavior is not acceptable in this valley. People that display toxic behavior will be asked to leave immediately. The Park Rangers are prepared to assist.
Q: How do we handle garbage?
All organic garbage is recycled through various composting techniques. Paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, glass and metal is recycled and re-used at the valley. We produce extremely little garbage that has to be transported out of the valley and down to one of the towns.
Q: Is your land fenced or do wild boars roam freely there?
The Valley is not fenced. Wild boars may pass through, but extremely rarely. Domesticated animals must be secured as we have several predators on the mountain, like eagles, falcons and fox.