Phuong Nguyen

It's so sad to see the damage cause by the LA fires. Growing up, we used to have regular bush fires, triggered by lightning for the most part, or a glass bottle thrown into the dry tall grass. The firefighting would be exhausting (out in the bush, no firefighters, just workers and farmers), it would last a few days. I remember the noise, the smells, the heat the running and driving along fire lines etc (I was 5 when I got stuck in for my first bush fire on our farm). I fought bush fires every year until I was 16. It was either on our farm or on a neighbour's farm. When it was over. The silence was deafening. My dad would give all the farmhands 5 days holiday on a rotation. We would go away for a few days to rest (usually Victoria Falls, Kariba or Cape Town). Then come back rested, recovered and ready to roll-up the sleeves to get the farm back in shape. That resting period after the fight was magical. A mourning and reset few days. So, if anyone needs that few days of reset following the devastating loss from the fires, DM me. I can host you on this side of the pond. I have space for a few couples/families. It's not much, but I hope it can help a few people, to mourn and reset the loss and be ready for the battle that will follow to rebuild.