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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
16 Oct 2024
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Description
Namaste.
I live in the mountain foothills in South West Bulgaria very close to the Macedonian border. The land is 2900 M2 on a South west facing slope with beautiful mountain forest views and the sound of cowbells often being heard.
I am currently renovating the old house which has been doubled in size from the original.
Laminate flooring has been delivered and installed in the two bedrooms. Bathroom with hot shower is now finished. Kitchen is finished and well stocked. Plastering and painting inside is virtually finished. New doubled glazed windows and doors have been fitted and ceiling insulation throughout.
Update July 2022 - all above is now finished, barn now bring worked on to turn it into a temple for meditation & yoga practice, with a community kitchen and 3 additional guest rooms.
Update July 2022 - a small cottage has been constructed in the garden so more space for guests.
Update July 2022 - There are now a total of 8 garden beds producing an abundance of veggies and herbs, (especially zucchini, cucumber, lettuce, beetroot, celery and more. Tomatoes not ripe yet but soon, and lots of fruit from trees both in the garden and around.
Currently wild plums are ripe, blackberries soon, apples, pears and grapes in a month or two, and walnuts in Sept/October.
Update April 2024
The house is completely finished (well, apart from the cook-stove which is only part built) and main construction project is now renovation / re-purposing of the old barn. The top level is now an (almost finished) meditation & yoga practice space, aka the Temple. Ground floor involves renovating 4 rooms, one for a community kitchen & three additional guest bedrooms.
I have a 1-2 hour practice of meditation, Kundalini yoga, headstand and mantra chanting each morning before breakfast. Visitors are in part at least required to join the practice. More details on application.
I eat healthy vegan food, usually having a green smoothie for breakfast (but sometimes oats with fruit).
Please avoid bringing any one time use packaging, and meat, fish and any non-natural personal care products into the property.
Over the last 18 years, since I became aware I was on an awakening journey from this dream of life on earth, I have learned many "spiritual" practices and much about holistic health. I am passionate about sharing what has helped me on my journey to better physical and emotional health and to becoming a more compassionate and loving person.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The nearby town of Kyustendil is famous for its hot spring baths which we can visit probably at least once a week. There are many beautiful walks around the area including in the forests, and there are rivers, reservoirs and lakes in the region.
Occasionally we may visit nearby friends for making music and singing mantras, and/or they may visit us.
Please Note:
If you do come to stay, please don't feed any stray dogs or cats (unless you do so in the village a couple of kms away, and make sure they don't follow you home).
The reason for this is not that I don't like dogs, cats etc, but I don't wish them to become dependant on me as I sometimes travel for a few weeks or months. One volunteer said I should write that my place is not animal friendly so I'm writing that here now. Actually I think I'm more animal friendly by not eating animals or their products which causes, in most cases, suffering to animals and to our own bodies.
Help
I invite volunteers who have gardening and or construction experience. Help will be in the garden, helping to create an abundance of fruit, vegetable, herbs and nuts, and/or helping with construction/renovation in the house/barn/cellars.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Bulgarian: Beginner
French: Beginner
Turkish: Beginner
Accommodation
You will sleep on a bunkbed with mattress, the room possibly being shared with another volunteer or two. If you prefer a private space then you may sleep in a tent which I can provide (unless you have your own) in one if the other spaces. Blankets are available. Ideally bring you own sheet(s) / sleeping bag liner but if not I can provide them.
I offer a work exchange of 25 productive hours per week in exchange for 3 meals per day. The food is nutritious and healthy and delicious. Usually a green smoothie for breakfast (or oats with fruit as an alternative), bread/rice crackers with nut butter/relishes/pesto with salad for lunch and cooked vegetables with rice/buckwheat or similar for evening meal. Herbal tea's from the garden are also provided.
The food prep and cleaning up is shared (we take turns), in addition to (not part of) the work exchange hours.
Alternatively, if you prefer to relax more and work less I can sometimes offer 10 hours work exchange for accommodation only, with you providing and making your own (vegan) food.
What else ...
Walks in countryside, relaxation, yoga, meditation, holistic health guidance, spiritual talks/movies, hot spring baths, fire circles, mantra chanting.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
i have a quite good wi-fi connection
Space for parking camper vans
there is space for an RV of probably up to about 7 metres long within the border of my property, and an electric hookup could be arranged too.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (15)
Although he did not have much garden or construction experience, he was eager to learn and did what I asked him to do.
He was helpful in the house, very respectful, and joined all yoga and meditation sessions. I would be happy to have him stay again.
Thank you brother.
We had some interesting conversations. He was always respectful and helpful and i would… read more
Diligent, hardworking, respectful, always seemed to work more than his hours (I had to remind him not to work more :-).
He worked in the garden with plants, chopped and cut firework, built a small retaining wall with old tires and dry stone to make a terrace, and more.
I highly recommend you to accept Adrian… read more
There are some beautiful views of the nearby mountains and some nice walks too.
I took part in the yoga and meditation in the mornings and would certainly recommend it… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
Although he did not have much garden or construction experience, he was eager to learn and did what I asked him to do.
He was helpful in the house, very respectful, and joined all yoga and meditation sessions. I would be happy to have him stay again.
Thank you brother.
We had some interesting conversations. He was always respectful and helpful and i would… read more
Diligent, hardworking, respectful, always seemed to work more than his hours (I had to remind him not to work more :-).
He worked in the garden with plants, chopped and cut firework, built a small retaining wall with old tires and dry stone to make a terrace, and more.
I highly recommend you to accept Adrian… read more
There are some beautiful views of the nearby mountains and some nice walks too.
I took part in the yoga and meditation in the mornings and would certainly recommend it… read more
The work was flexible, we organized ourselves however we wanted, and it gave us facilities to go to the city, very beautiful by the way,
Ah! And… read more
Atma is lovely, with a lot to teach and share.
My body and soul felt healthier during my stay there. Atma cooked delicious healthy food and the morning exercises and conversations fed delicious healthy food for the soul aswell.
The place is… read more
I put him to work digging out a cellar floor, cutting and chopping wood, mixing concrete, making a concrete pad for new construction, cutting grass, and more.
He always worked well, keeping a timesheet as requested and working full hours.
Rolando asks for directions when needed, and he attended our early… read more
I lived for a month in the place, I learned many things related to meditation, holistic lifestyle, vegan diets, some mantras, correct positions to meditate, I also learned about kundalini yoga, I learned how to use a chainsaw, scythe, how to make concrete, simple… read more
Some of the work they did (very well and with enthusiasm) included digging a drainage trench (excellent work, thanks Jessie), weeding, making chutney (lots), sieving sand, slicing and dehydrating… read more
We learnt a lot about meditation and Kundalini yoga and really enjoyed the morning routine together. Atma was always helpful in answering any… read more
Lucie began a cleanse when she arrived, and also joined me in my mostly… read more
Thanks brother.
I helped Atma with basic houshold works such as gardening, watering, harvesting and demolishing… read more
Kirstin was always helpful, friendly and respectful. And a great worker. I could show her what to do and she would just get on and get the job done, always.
Work included using a chainsaw and axe to prepare LOTS of firewood gathered from around the property,… read more
Using words can't describe the experience I had. I ended up staying 2,5 months with Atma, sometime of it with other volunteers as well and my friend who came to visit me. Usually in the morning we all did meditation and Yoga (Warrior Training!) ;)) together, which was a great start for the day. Since there was no fixed work schedule you… read more
I'm excited to see how… read more
She also joined our quite intense daily practice of meditation yoga and mantra chanting and began The Presence Process. Andrea was curious about holistic health and… read more
I also hosted her… read more
It is kind of hard to write a review about such an amazing guy.
All in all my stay was great, it turned out to be more a spiritual journey than actually working, but that wasn't imposed on me in any way. I definitely consider him a pure friend by now, even though I just stayed with him for just 2 weeks.
Atma has learned different… read more
