The image depicts a serene sunset scene, featuring a white building with a balcony, trees, and a car, set against a vibrant sky with hues of orange, yellow, and blue.
The image depicts an old stone wall with an arched opening, overgrown with vines and trees, and a small stream running in front of it.
The image depicts a man reading a book in front of a camper van with a tent on top, situated in a wooded area.
The image depicts the rear of a camper van, featuring a dog lying on a blue blanket, with a bed and storage compartments visible inside.
The image depicts two men working in a muddy yard, with a pool and deck visible in the background. The men are wearing hats and shorts.
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Stay at a ancient place of faded glory and learn new skills in Ayora, Spain

  • Last activity : 17 Jun 2025

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Dear you,

    Thank you for your interest! What would the title actually say?..
    Well i am talking about all the possibilities and the beauty in this area wich are out in the open. Located in the Ayora valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in Spain, rivers underneath and above the ground flow through the whole valley.
    What happened during the era of the old arabs called "the Moors" hundreds of kilometers of waterchannels were being dug. By hand. They are called acequias wich is arabic for 'waterchannel'. It is truly a ingenious system with very exact leveling of the ground to get the water flow right, sometimes even dug through stone.
    It foresees a enourmous part of the valley from water and makes it possible for orchards, vegetables gardens, plots with almond trees, olives, cherrys, you name it, to thrive.

    For now we still live in a time that we go to the supermarket, buy our groceries, step into the car and go back home to watch football and drink a beer on the couch.
    Probably not you and most certainly not me :)
    But this still is what the major part of society does. We want a careless life. Wich in my perspective means the end of all that is good. And so it happened that most people do not care, or just not so much, anymore for their surroundings wich causes it to decline and fall into disrepair.
    So long story short.. the acequias are being neglected for most part and are falling apart, the area is drying out, fruit trees are dieing and people are leaving.
    And that just hurts my heart! I see paradise here, what it can be, and with the right mind, will be.

    So that's what i am asking help for. To restore the aproximately 500 to 600 year acequias. And let this area thrive again, i am pretty sure that the possibility to always buy our food in the supermarket is not forever and besides, how beautiful is it to grow your own?

    And thats is what we are doing here, grow food, enjoy the nature and company from others.
    I miss sharing good stories underneath the starry sky, cooking together, making fun and just be human again, for all i did last years was working so i could make this leap of faith.

    We have a really cosy self made campervan, where you can stay with:
    - Outdoor kitchen
    - Outdoor shower (of course you may also use the indoor shower)
    - Big awning
    - Rooftop tent
    - Elektricity
    - Heating

    We will provide (vegetarian) food.

    We can make music together (nothing special, im a noob, but still)

    There are some things to do in the area, there are caves, hundreds of walking trails, kayaking, bobbin lace championships, villages nearby and i believe also via ferratta at one hour driving, just like the sea.


    Some things about us:

    My name is Maarten, and i like to philosophize, work hard, get to know new people and to create. Most people find me very calm, but i assure you, that is just the surface. In general i like to take care for others. Generally, i just want to to serve life, and that seriously is, as i am discovering, one of the most hardest things to do.

    And then there is Erynn and she will write here something about herself when she is done cooking:)

    And Noah, of course. By accident, thinking it was a labradoodle, we bought a Spanish waterdog, not knowing we would move to Spain and work with water here. How special life can be sometimes! Well she is auditing for being a carpet all day when it is hot outside and for the rest she is just the sweetest, silliest dog i know.

    If you are still reading all of this, it probably got you interested. So why not send a message? :)

    Best wishes, Maarten, Erynn and Noah.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Pets
    Vegetarian or vegan
    Van life
    Self development
    Music
    Plant care
    Drawing & painting
    Art & design
    Books
    DIY & crafts
    Gardening
    Cooking & food
    Animals
    Dancing
    Mountain
    Hiking
    Outdoor activities
    Winter sports
    Nature
    Fitness
    Beach
    Adventure sports
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    What you can learn here is how to make a greenhouse yourself, planting vegetables, other skills, possible to do some tree climbing.
    Cooking skills, acequia maintenance.
    And language exchange

  • Help

    Help

    The kind of help we would like... It would be very nice if someone has knowledge about vegetable gardens, building, or teach us some spanish or guitar skills.
    But everybody has his or hers qualities so if it feels right, don't doubt contacting :)

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Dutch: Fluent
    German: 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.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    A campervan (UAZ Bukhanka) that we build ourselves with a rooftent, kitchen and shower

    Vegetarian or vegan food is provided. Just like coffee, juices, filtered water etc.
    If you have special wishes you can always let us know.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    - preferable non smoking

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have no wifi! you need your own data or just relax.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have enough space available for campervans they are very welcome. We only have electricity available in the house and our own camper so far.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Hell Yes

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

Host ref number: 251744256927

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Photos

The image depicts a serene sunset scene, featuring a white building with a balcony, trees, and a car, set against a vibrant sky with hues of orange, yellow, and blue.
The image depicts an old stone wall with an arched opening, overgrown with vines and trees, and a small stream running in front of it.
The image depicts a man reading a book in front of a camper van with a tent on top, situated in a wooded area.
The image depicts the rear of a camper van, featuring a dog lying on a blue blanket, with a bed and storage compartments visible inside.
The image depicts two men working in a muddy yard, with a pool and deck visible in the background. The men are wearing hats and shorts.

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