Beyond the Keyboard—How Cobana is Reshaping My Startup Journey

Hey there, fellow adventurers and sustainability enthusiasts! It’s your favorite Canadian-blooded, Transylvanian-based digital nomad back with another installment of “James Does Cobana.” This week’s been a whirlwind – so lets get into it!

Permaculture Parties, Probiotics, and Apple Juice Adventures

So, remember how I mentioned David’s grand plans for Cobana? Well, this week, we got a taste of what that might look like. Enter Colleen and Remy, our permaculture power couple. These soil-whispering wizards descended upon Cobana to help David figure out how to turn this slice of Romanian heaven into a sustainability superstar.

I had the pleasure of picking their brains and learning a ton about permaculture. Now, I’ll be honest. Until about a year ago, my knowledge of permaculture was about as deep as a puddle in the Sahara. But after an enlightening chat with them both, I feel like I’ve leveled up in the eco-warrior game.

Colleen gave me a comprehensive overview that not only educated me but also made me appreciate the depth and importance of this approach. For those of you as clueless as I was, here’s the permaculture crash course: It’s an ecological design system that aims to create sustainable and self-sufficient human settlements. Think of it as nature’s way of saying, “Hey humans, work with me, not against me!” Some might even call it the horticultural equivalent of “reduce, reuse, recycle,” but with more dirt under your fingernails. At its core, permaculture is like a big ol’ hug for the planet, and I am HERE. FOR. IT.

But wait, there’s more! Our permaculture pals didn’t just bring knowledge – they came bearing gifts. Specifically, some beyond-organic apple juice that tasted like the nectar of the gods. Delicious as it was, I decided to add a biohacking twist.

Enter Saccharomyces boulardii, my probiotic partner in crime. This friendly yeast is like the Superman of gut health – it swoops in to fight bad bacteria, boost your immune system, and even helps with digestion. Plus, after a 24-48 hour culture, it turns that apple juice into a fizzy, gut-loving potion that’s 50% less sugar. It’s like kombucha’s cooler, less-mainstream cousin. Pro tip: you can use the current batch to seed a new one, so you never need to buy more packets.

Barbecues, Belgians, and Business Hurdles

Now, onto the social side of Cobana life. We had an epic barbecue that brought together a motley crew of digital nomads, locals, and a surprising number of Belgians. (I’m starting to suspect there’s a secret Belgian colony in the Carpathians. Further investigation required.) The grill setup was a marvel – a United Nations of culinary preferences. One side sizzled with meats 🥩🍖 for the carnivores, while the other hosted a veggie medley 🍠🫑 for the plant-based crowd. The “meat’s not murder” faction peacefully coexisted with the “if it has a face, it’s not food” group, thanks to masterful grill management by David. It was a perfectly choreographed dance of dietary inclusivity that would make a UN peacekeeping mission jealous. Who knew the secret to world peace was hiding in our barbecue? Take note, global leaders! 🕊️

The weather has been absolutely phenomenal. Coming from the sweat-fest that is Kuala Lumpur, this crisp mountain air feels like nature’s air conditioning. It’s the kind of weather that makes you want to frolic through meadows singing “The Hills Are Alive.” 🏔️ 🎶🎵 (Don’t worry, I’ve resisted. So far.)

On the business front, I hit a bit of a creative wall this week. Turns out, building a startup is less “eureka!” and more “where’s the coffee machine?” But you know what? That’s okay. This is all part of the startup rollercoaster, folks. There will be epic highs and soul-crushing lows. But the beauty of Cobana is the sense of community. When the going gets tough, you can always find someone to bounce ideas off of, or simply take a break and reconnect with nature.

Since day 1, I’ve been using Notion to organize my thoughts and Claude projects to flush them out, which has been incredibly helpful. I’ve set up various sub-projects and defined key focus areas, all from an eagle’s eye perspective. It’s taking a while to craft the custom instructions for each, but I’m confident that the return on investment in time will be huge.

New Faces and Forest Adventures

We’ve got a new addition to our little Cobana family – a young, enthusiastic Israeli guy fresh from the co-living scene in Sofia. His energy is infectious, and it’s fascinating to hear how Cobana compares to the more urban co-living experiences. Plus, he’s my new hiking buddy for impromptu forest adventures.

Speaking of which, I’m about to head out for one of those hikes right after I finish this post. There’s something truly rejuvenating about the forests here. The combination of fresh, oxygen-rich air and physical movement is like a natural reset button for the brain. It’s amazing how a simple walk can get those endorphins flowing, helping to clear the mental fog and potentially spark new ideas. Here’s hoping this trek will help get me back on track with my project!

As I wrap up this post, I can’t help but feel excited about what’s next for Cobana. David clearly has visions of creating something more than just another co-living space for digital nomads. With the permaculture initiatives and all the other cool ideas brewing, I can’t wait to see how this place evolves.

Oh, and a quick shoutout to the Romanian postal service – I even received a small package from back home in Canada, which arrived quickly and safely. It’s the little things that make you feel connected, you know?

So, here’s to another week of adventures, challenges, and growth in our little coliving retreat. Stay tuned for more updates, and remember – in the world of digital nomads and startups, the only constant is change. And possibly the need for good Wi-Fi.

Catch you on the flip side, Cobana fam!

P.S. If you’re into permaculture or just want to see what our awesome experts are up to, check out Colleen’s work at Ermitaj Malin or follow their Facebook page. Who knows, you might just be inspired to start your own permaculture paradise!

#CobanaLife #DigitalNomad #Permaculture #SustainableLiving #TransylvanianAdventures