Gardening, harvesting and pizza making in an Italian country house in Teramo

Details

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  Description

  Hello everyone!!
  We are Anna and Salvatore, a close-knit and welcoming couple living in central Italy, specifically in the Abruzzo region in the province of Teramo. Ours is a fairly large house divided into three floors; it has a long history as it was built in the mid-1800s. It is located in a tiny village but 5km away from the city, surrounded by the greenery of forests, cultivated fields, in a hilly area at 500m above sea level.
  The house also has a garden of about 100sqm and a portion of woodland, which is quite adventurous to work with because it is very steep.
  We have many tasks to do because we try to live a simple life, in contact with nature, which we love and respect very much. In fact, in the garden, we are also setting up a small vegetable garden, and we have started planting fruit trees in the woods. But often when we go for walks in the area, we also love to gather the edible herbs that we know.
  We also have a chicken coop with about ten hens that we keep for eggs. There are many different tasks, so for those who love nature, there is much to learn and do.
  
  LIFE VISION
  
  Our life vision is grounded in the ethics of awareness, an approach that embraces full consciousness of our thoughts, actions, and impacts on the community and surrounding environment. We engage in gardening, poultry management, and wild herb gathering not only to nourish ourselves physically, but also to forge a deep connection with the land and its natural cycles.
  
  In this pursuit of authentic connection, we aim to build a community of individuals who share our values of self-sufficiency and respect for the Earth. For us, self-sufficiency does not mean isolation but rather an opportunity to cultivate meaningful relationships based on mutual trust and interdependence.
  
  Our choice to live in harmony with nature is a deliberate response to the conditioning of consumerist society, where value is often measured by the quantity of possessions rather than the quality of our human interactions and the environment around us.
  
  Additionally, integral to our philosophy is our approach to managing emotions. We strive to cultivate an environment of understanding and mutual support, where negative emotions are met with empathy and openness, promoting authentic dialogue and shared personal growth.
  
  Ultimately, we seek to live mindfully, embracing the beauty of simplicity and the depth of human relationships, as we work together to break free from mental and social patterns that limit our true happiness and well-being.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  With us, you can learn about living in touch with nature, cultivating a small vegetable garden, caring for a chicken coop, and recognizing some edible wild herbs.
  
  We can help you learn Italian, the history of these places; if you've never done it before, we can paint together and visit historical and cultural sites in our region. Moreover, Rome is easily reachable by a two-hour bus ride.
  
  We are capable of teaching you some typical Italian dishes, such as various types of handmade pasta, bread making, pizza, and other foods.
  
  We are interested in many topics related to personal growth, so we could have some interesting conversations.

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  Help

  The tasks we offer also depend on the period you decide to come, as the four seasons have very different characteristics and commitments.
  
  Spring is usually the most active, although as early as February, when the weather permits, you can start outdoor work, so it will usually be more or less as follows:
  
  From February/March to June/July:
  - Preparing the vegetable garden
  - Cleaning the garden
  - Gathering firewood
  - Harvesting the first edible wild herbs
  - Building terraces in the woods and planting fruit trees
  
  From July to September:
  - Firewood gathering
  - Tending the vegetable garden and harvesting its products
  - Processing vegetables and fruits for winter preservation
  - Gathering edible and aromatic wild plants
  
  From October to late November:
  - Firewood gathering if weather permits
  - Cleaning areas outside the house
  - House cleaning
  - Preparing the winter vegetable garden
  
  From November to February:
  In winter, the pace is slower, and activities become different. We focus on cooking homemade pasta, pizza, bread, and other things. Additionally, in winter, you can engage in activities that are suitable for all periods of the year, such as:
  - Taking care of the chicken coop
  - Keeping the house clean
  - Engaging in art (we are also a bit artistic, and if you have ideas or projects, they are welcome)
  - Exploring the surroundings...

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  We offer you as accommodation a comfortable and large room in our fully furnished house with a double bed. You will also have access to, shared with us, two bathrooms, a small living room, and the kitchen. You can also enjoy the garden where, weather permitting, you can also barbecue.
  
  The village where our house is located is only 5 km from the city and easily reachable in ten minutes by car, although public transportation is not very close. However, if you need to buy something, we can help you, or we can go shopping together once or twice a week.
  
  We also provide blankets, sheets, and towels if needed. You can also use dishes and pots. Normally, in the cold season, we heat the house with firewood and a couple of stoves. We don't have a TV, but we have a good internet connection.
  
  For any other needs, please write to us for details.

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  What else ...

  In your free time, our region, Abruzzo, offers many tourist possibilities.
  
  Half an hour from our house, there is the sea, and along the coast, there are many beautiful beaches and seaside towns, nature reserves, historical villages, and cultural events such as festivals, markets, and local fairs. About an hour from here, maybe even less, you can also go to the mountains to the Gran Sasso.
  
  If you want to go a bit further, you can also reach Rome in about two hours by bus. Moreover, if you arrive by plane, the bus from Ciampino and Fiumicino airports goes directly to Teramo.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week