Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
18 Dec 2023
Reply rate
66.7 %
Usually responds within 17 days
Feedback
5
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Details
Description
Hi, My name is Arti. I am a vibrant 65-year-old woman. I live in Richmond, MA -the far Western part of the state near NYS border. It's the Berkshires - a truly gorgeous part of the country.
In 2018 I walked the Camino Norte in Spain and one highlight of that magical pilgrimage was being invited into the homes of so many amazing people along the way. In that spirit, I was inspired to open my home to a traveler or 2 as many were opened to me in my travels. I have now been hosting since September of 2018.
I have a beautiful 22-acre property accessible to much of what this area has to offer and I need help with various projects as I continue to transition from this being a family home of 4, to living here with part-time renters and two grown sons nearby. I had grown a small private Healing Sanctuary Retreat, here pre pandemic (focussed on integrative healing) and continue with a part time Private Bodywork practice here alongside work outside my home for now. I am gettig ready to continue with private retreats and love sharing the sense of sanctuary that has developed here over the last several years with the help of some amazing workawayers.
The land and surrounding area are magical, with hiking, kayaking, lakes, rivers and biking all available.
I and my now grown sons have been involved in several beautiful communities in the area- Kriplau Center, The Abode: a Sufi eco-village, a Quaker intentional community, and a deep nature connection wilderness school called Flying Deer Nature Center.
I am a highly skilled and experienced multidimensional healing arts practitioner, LMT and educator of 40 years and I enjoy sharing all types of massage, body work, and healing modalities. I am also an ordained inter-spiritual minister with a strong yoga and meditation and mindfulness practice, and a Hospice Healing Ministry. I enjoy nature connection, herbalism, ceremony, and other natural and spiritual arts. I can offer mentoring, support with any of the above and do my best to offer simple English language support. (I know some Spanish and am continuing to study).
I'm always looking for help with various house and land projects, equipment maintenance and seasonally I am look for some support with maple syrup production in late winter and early Spring ( very small scale- collecting buckets and help boiling sap down). In Spring I also need help with gardening prep, planting, tending, and in fall putting garden to bed. In summer I need help with mowing, tending trails and garden. Currently need help rebuilding a garden fence and gate, also some help with wood splitting, and trail and stream maintenance, including some chainsawing dead wood to move to house for splitting.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
This land itself and the surrounding area are magical, with hiking, kayaking, lakes, rivers and biking all available. The Appalachian Trail is accessible throughout Berkshire County.
I am involved in several beautiful communities in the area- The Abode: a Sufi eco-village, a Quaker intentional community, and a deep nature connection wilderness school and a Yoga and Health program center.
As former dean of Kripalu's renowned School of Massage and Bodywork, and as an Ayurvedic practitioner, I can offer guidance for those interested in massage, energy work, yoga and meditation, ayurveda, and various healing modalities. I am also able to offer, depending on interest and as requested, interspiritual mentoring ( I am an ordained interspiritual/interfaith minister), learning to make herbal preparations, healthy cooking support, yoga and meditation practice, knitting lessons and simple language support. (I know a little Spanish and am continuing to study).
in addition, the Berkshires has music, theater, dance ( mostly seasonal, though some opportunities all year round) and fabulous local restaurants, food and Farmers Markets in season.
Help
I'm looking for support with wood splitting, property care, land projects, including trail maintenance, plowing in winter and lawn mowing in summer.
I collect sap and have simple maple syrup production in late winter and early Spring ( very small scale), and need help collecting buckets and help boiling sap down. As spring progresses help with gardening - all aspects- prep, planting, tending, etc depending on season.
Would love a handy person to rebuild the garden fence and gate and always need some help with wood flow for winter -splitting, chainsawing dead wood to move to house for splitting.
Inside sorting and organizing projects. Food storage. Sewing. General cleaning.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Accommodation
4 possible housing options are available :
1. A sweet. private, rustic off-grid cabin on the land about 1/10th mile from the house. Seasonal.
It includes a comfy bed, chair, area rug, composting toilet, woodstove, drinking water, make shift kitchen area with a propane stove and cooler , mosquito netting in summer etc.
Showering/bathing would be solar shower at cabin site, or walk over to the house, or outdoor bathtub.
2. In lower, walk out level of the house - an open area with a pullout couch in a small living area with a shared bathroom upstairs. This is also the digital nomad area.
3. A bedroom in second floor of house with private or shared bathroom depending on if I have more than one workaway volunteer.
4. In warm weather can set up big tent outside and use solar shower or outdoor bathtub- 22 acres with good amount of forrest to choose from.
*Please note: During the Covid -19 continued physical distancing phase, option 2 and 3 are only available if fully vaccinated or after negatve tests before and after arrival.
What else ...
Transport from the train or bus stop in Pittsfield, Great Barrington or Lenox as well as Albany or Hartford CT airport are possible.
Its a rural area and if you are in US having your own car would be ideal , though Im happy to offer rides when I am heading out and support networking with local people and communities of all age groups. A bicycle can sometimes be available as well.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I recently had high speed internet run to the house and have a lower level space with best access that can be a work space during the day .
Space for parking camper vans
A couple of options depending on the size of the vehicle. Please Inquire.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (3)
Arti is a very nice, gentle and interesting person with a peaceful energy and she really cared about my well-being. I felt so welcomed and she was always checking if everything was ok for me. I didn't feel like I was there because Arti needed somebody to work, but because she… read more
Fernando stayed with me 2 weeks and offered enormous help with projects around my property, fixing up a cabin, fetching and planting a bunch of perennials that had been donated, deep cleaning the basement. WOW! it made… read more
He was… read more
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Arti is a very nice, gentle and interesting person with a peaceful energy and she really cared about my well-being. I felt so welcomed and she was always checking if everything was ok for me. I didn't feel like I was there because Arti needed somebody to work, but because she… read more
Fernando stayed with me 2 weeks and offered enormous help with projects around my property, fixing up a cabin, fetching and planting a bunch of perennials that had been donated, deep cleaning the basement. WOW! it made… read more
He was… read more
