Help me start a homestead in the rural area of Transylvania, Romania

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  • Activité récente: 29 mars 2024

Disponibilité

  2024 

 Séjour min. souhaité : Au moins deux semaines

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Infos

  • Description

    Description

    Hello, my name is Bianca. I am 40 years old and I have made my dream come true by buying a house in a rural area of Transylvania, for my dog, Kira, an 11 years old Great Dane. I have spent half of my life in Sibiu, my hometown and the other half in Bucharest, where I studied Economy and Communication. My summer holidays as a child, however were spent in the countryside, with my grandparents, in a village called Slimnic. It is there that I chose to move 10 years ago, with a strong wish to start living in the countryside and to begin my downshifting journey.

    I have started working from home this year, so I am now on a 9 to 6 office shedule. I was a migrant worker in agriculture for the last 7 years before that. I worked in a vineyard during the winter, somewhere in the south of France. I loved that work and the people I worked with.

    In my free time I volunteer in an after-school project based in Sibiu, that helps children coming from disadvantaged families stay in school. I have started a program that focuses on extracurricular activities and an educational school garden for them. I am also part of a peasant association fighting for the peasants rights to land, seeds and market opportunities, based in Cluj-Napoca.

    The idea of buying a house of my own started 8 years ago. I have saved up for this reason and looked for a house that would allow me to be far from the city, in a community of people that still cherish human relationships above all. I have found it in 2018, in August, in a village. The village is a bit remote, with no asphalt road, no sewer system and beautiful vineyards and forests surrounding it.

  • Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

    Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

    Pratique d’une langue
    Aide avec des éco-projets
    Jardinage
    Bricolage et construction
    Aide dans une ferme
    Cuisine/repas pour la famille
    Aide à la maison
    Entretien général
    Aide informatique/internet
  • Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

    Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

    I am strong minded and prefer to do things my way. I am a curious type of person and love learning new things. I have a high level of energy, most of the days. I wake up early and go to bed early. I have traveled a bit through Europe, visited the US and Canada, as a student, and love learning languages. I traveled in my self-converted VW Sharan until last year, together with Kira, the Great Dane.

    I like to bake - veganizing recipes :)), knit and read. I have some knowledge about homesteading, cooking, preserve making, fermenting, soap making, cosmetics making. I would like to learn more about using (power) tools, construction, mushroom picking, beer making, gardening and permaculture, nonviolent communication and conflict management, music and dancing.

    I wish to start this journey in good company and make real connections to people that will come and visit as the years pass by. I would like to keep my habit of making friends and sharing the joy of life. I need a bit of push to go out and explore the surroundings of the village more. I love the forest and hope to get to know the one nearby much better.
    I am a patient teacher and have some experience in practicing languages. I would be happy to share my knowledge.

  • Aide

    Aide

    The household I found has two houses, a big barn, a wood shed, a well and, most importantly, a 2000 square meter garden. One of the houses needs some attention and restoration – specially for the main room facing the street. And the garden needs planting and caring.

    I would appreciate some good company and some help, always needed :). I have a little bit of experience with the restoration of a house, using traditional materials. I have a bit of experience with gardening, compost making and preserve making. I am passionate about agroecology and I want to do some ‘no-dig gardening’ and respect some permaculture principles that I have found out about.

    The ‘let’s not make a plan but try to accomplish’ for 2023 is:
    - Making a rainwater harvesting system out of 1000l reservoirs
    - Building the main compost toilet

    - Caring for and planting the vegetable garden
    - Cleaning and maintaining the rest of the garden: grass cutting, trees pruning, replanting, general design

    - Turning the old stable into a guest bedroom - we are halfway there :)
    - Restoring and repainting some of the old furniture found in the house
    - Laying a brick patio in front of the stable-room out of reclaimed bricks.

    - Reinforcing the barn structure pillars
    - Checking and replacing the electrical system of the big house, as to make it reliable.

    Whether you master some specific skill or have work experience is not really important as long as you have a willingness to adapt and learn the homesteading ways.
    I believe that any person can be useful and any skill can bring contribution to the life we live together.
    We just have to take the time to communicate our needs and understand each other.

  • Langues

    Langues parlées
    Anglais: Courant
    Français: Courant
    Romanian: Courant
    Allemand: Débutant
    Espagnol: Débutant
    Polonais: Débutant

    Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
    I have started learning German this year and want to focus on it.

  • Hébergement

    Hébergement

    The small house of the household is hosting me and Kira, the Great Dane, at the moment.

    The big house of the homestead has one room ready to receive guests in spring- summer. It has a double bed.

    There is plenty of space to put hammocks and enough green grass to set tents in the garden behind the barn.

    The stable is being transformed into a 'summer guest-room'. Although it is not quite done, it can be a cool place to sleep. We have managed to clean the barn and transform the upper part into a sleeping space as well.

    There is a compost toilet and a 'barrel' shower available. Possibility to use the washing machine if necessary - full loads, please. No fridge available in the summer kitchen. We use the cellar as a cool space in summer.

    We can cook and share food, learn about each other’s favorite meals, keep is simple and nutritious.
    There is limited (Orange network only) mobile phone signal in the village. But we now have wi-fi in the small house.

    As I am a host, there are no set 'rules' yet. We can make them together.
    However, here is some general information on our habits:
    - I am having a vegetarian (towards vegan) diet and Kira, the Great Dane, has a very strict (kibble only) diet, due to her allergy. I rarely buy cheese and eggs localy, directly from producers, if available
    - I am stupidly and highly allergic to cats! and get asthma attacks when exposed to cat hair, dust and some more.
    - I am a bit crazy about keeping things in order. I clean as I go and keep all spaces as clean as possible, without dedicating special moments for cleaning. I try to exercise tolerance and empathy, any occasion given.
    - Kira, the Great Dane, is not really great with other dogs (not at all with other female dogs) but she, too, tries to exercise tolerance, any occasion given. If you have a puppy or a male dog, check with me, we might make it work.

  • Autres infos...

    Autres infos...

    The village is set in the very heart of Transylvania, in an old wine region.
    The nearby village, Cetatea de Balta prides itself with the newly restored Jidvei Castle.

    Kindly note that there is no store in the village.
    The closest towns where you can find supermarkets are Blaj and Medias, tiny medieval towns, perfect for short walks and second-hand shopping.
    My hometown, Sibiu is less than 70 km away and so is the famous medieval citadel, Sighisoara.

    As I have one available car, at all times, we can organize ourselves and make trips upon request. I do appreciate your participation on covering the gas costs when using the car for trips or pick-ups, if your situation allows for this.
    Hitch-hiking is also a good option for such small distances, in the area. However, do read more about hitchhiking in Romania, before you decide to try it.
    Public transport is not great, to say the least. Buses are rather scarce in the area.
    Trains are the best way to get here, probably.

    The closest train station is Cetatea de Balta. I can pick you up from there, upon my availability.
    Blaj has good connections to Cetatea de Balta. Also, Blaj has good connections to Budapest and Vienna by train.
    Nearest airport is in Sibiu.

  • Informations complémentaires

    Informations complémentaires

    • Accès Internet

    • Accès Internet limité

      Accès Internet limité

    • Nous avons des animaux

    • Nous sommes fumeurs

    • Familles bienvenues

  • Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

    Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

    There is finally wi-fi in the small house and the yard, due to the optic fiber in the village. Sounds crazy considering the no-asphalt road in front of the house. But it is true and it is working. I use it already for my job.

  • Espace pour garer des vans

    Espace pour garer des vans

    The garden has a back-entry 'mud road' mud free in July and August, when it is dry for longer periods of time. It gives access to the garden which is still mostly grass, with a side line of plum trees and apple trees. Deppending on how high the vehicle is, it is a possible opption.

  • Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

    Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

    Plus de 2

  • ...

    Nombre d'heures attendues

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

N° de référence hôte : 874333483343

Feedback (18)



Feedback

Ce sont des évaluations supplémentaires en option lorsque les membres laissent un feedback. La note moyenne pour chaque option est affichée.

Exactitude du profil: (4.9)

Échange culturel: (5.0)

Communication: (5.0)























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