Portugal
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I am an American-born & French woman (56) who, after 5 years biking through 15 countries & teaching 28 cob building workshops, has chosen to settle on beautiful São Miguel Island in the Azores (Portugal) in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Only 2 hrs by plane from Lisbon and 5 hrs from Boston, it's a perfect mixing ground of visitors on this magical, peaceful, lush, fertile, temperate island I am making my home. I just bought 2 acres of beautiful bountiful (bananas, guavas, chickens, veggies, forest, ocean) land and am creating a little Ecovillage really for my family and friends.
I have been teaching Cob Building Workshops (natural building with clay, sand & straw walls) all over the world for 15 years and have recently hosted 2 on my land in which we built two structures. I am looking for someone to help me with the finish work for the floor and plaster to make them smooth and beautiful. Its not very difficult physically but I would like someone who ideally has some experience in this kind of work or at least physically fit and active. I also need help with planting, weeding and feeding plants and trees. There's always something to do here and since I am alone now it would be nice to have a helper.
Looking for a NON-smoker of cigarettes or marijuana, someone who either doesn't drink alcohol or drinks in a healthy non-addictive way, healthy and active, outdoorsy (you will be camping) and not too talkative or needy person. Someone peaceful and independent. I like to chat but also enjoy quiet and solitude, in balance. My diet is pretty vegetarian and I don't cook meat or fish here, but eat canned sardines or tuna here and there (once a week?). I have three outdoors cats and 21 chickens.
My place is awesome, a 5 minute walk to the natural swimming pools in the ocean and 3km from the closest black sand beaches. Stores are close and the capital is a 20-minute bike ride away. You can use my nice mountain bike to get around while you are here and the bus stop is a short walk away and goes around the whole island. Monday through Friday are 5-hour work days in exchange for meals and weekends you are on your own unless you want to work.
I would like someone who enjoys working hard & well, takes it seriously and has a positive attitude. You will be learning some nice skills. Also I may be holding a workshop during the time you are here, in which case I will ask you to help with that, and you will be learning more skills then.
I speak French, Spanish & Portuguese as well and happy to host people who speak these languages and English of course. I am learning Mandarin Chinese so if u speak Chinese we can do a language trade!
Its Paradise here and you will love it! Please bring your camping stuff. I do have a small tent if you need and a thin pad and also some blankets and a pillow.
To come here you need to take a Covid Test within 72 hours of flying. If you fly to Portugal (no test required), you can take the test in Porto or Lisboa for free at one of the contracted labs (everywhere), which is required for the Azores. I can give you more information. RyanAir , TAP and Azores Airlines are the only ones that fly here.
I prefer only one person.
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
We can speak in any of my languages, you will see the island while you are here and learn natural building/finishing skills and planting/gardening.
Help with gardening, planting, feeding trees and plants, weeding, finish work on plaster & floor of earthen buildings
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Italian: Intermediate
Chinese (Mandarin): Beginner
This host offers a language exchange
I speak English, French, Spanish & Portuguese and want to practice Chinese.
2-person tent available, mat, blankets & pillow
There is a bus service around the whole island, you may use my mountain bike wih lock or rent a car to see so many cool things on the island. If you are a surfer, there is surf on both sides of the island but you will need a vehicle. Goldcar.com has cheap rental cars. There are hot springs, waterfalls, many hikes, beaches, botanical gardens, natural pools, whale watching, scuba diving, sailing, kitesurfing, surfing, and of course biking. The buses accept bikes and everyone is so nice here. A great place to visit!
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
While I dont have wifi on the land, if the workawayer has a local SIM card for 10€ they can hotspot to their phone and get a perfect connection or go to the nearby hotel or cafe.
One
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
