I've always enjoyed making things with my hands, but rarely get the chance to do so anymore. Looking for something a little different, I came across a two-week building workshop at an animal sanctuary outside Porto, Portugal. I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into, but I signed up anyway.

We spent our days building a goat house, pig dome, and horse pergola using wood and recycled materials. Between clearing the land, learning to use tools, and rotating between projects, there was plenty to do. What made it especially memorable was working alongside people from completely different backgrounds, all brought together by a shared curiosity.

A few of us also camped on-site, sharing vegan meals and spending most of our time together. It was physically demanding, unexpectedly rewarding, and a pretty unusual way to spend two weeks.