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Last replied
25 Aug 2024
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Description
I am Australian and when I was offered the opportunity to move to Bulgaria 10 years ago I jumped at it as I was looking for something different. It was also an exciting prospect for me to be able to live in and have Europe at my doorstep!
My boyfriend Guido, is German and he has lived in Bulgaria longer than me!
We both enjoy living here and we are keen to finish renovating our village home. We want our space to be comfortable but a little bit special too. We love having the space a home in the village affords us, and Guido is into sustainable living, planting fruit trees and mostly plants that provide food.
We enjoy spending time outdoors, BBQing with a glass of local wine in the evenings, and spending time in our pool. He keeps fit by running and we also enjoy taking long walk and bike rides. I also really love hiking in the mountains when I have time (it's flat were we are, so I have to drive for "proper" hiking ;-) )
You can find us by the "camp fire" in the yard, or you might even like to join us in a game of Catan or Andor!
We both work remotely from home so unfortunately our time is limited to work on the house and garden.
If you're independent (and flexible!) enough, with decent DIY skills, and you'd like to come and help us, please get in touch!
NB My profile was first active for a few years when I lived in a different village in Bulgaria. I have since sold that house. I enjoyed the Workaway experience of meeting people from all over and having the much needed help, so decided to reactive my profile for my new home in a different village. I am looking forward to repeating the experience, sharing it with my boyfriend and meeting more amazing people.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Guido has a love of languages (knows a few!) and is advanced in Bulgarian. His preteen son (who spends time with us) is half Bulgarian and I have taken lessons but am little ashamed to say, have found the language difficult to grasp more than pleasantries and small talk. We are happy to share our knowledge of both the Bulgarian language and the culture (along with our other languages) We've also traveled quite a bit around Bulgaria so happy to to chat about that too :)
Help
Where to start!
There is so much DIY work to do. Our house is an old Bulgarian village style house typical of the region. We have made it comfortable enough for us to live in, with new windows, a renovated bathroom and the like, but it is largely unrenovated.
We would LOVE someone who is a qualified electrician. But equally, if you have some experience (but aren't qualified) we can get an electrician in for the final connections needed. Some of the initial work in this space is laying or "pulling"cables" in the internal walls - to be connected later (by an electrician).
Then, the internal walls need plastering and painting. There is one room that is ready for this stage, but most are not. I can't wait to see the results!
The kitchen is functional although makeshift.....so if you happen to be experienced in kitchen reno's, how amazing would that be!!
We need to plaster and paint in the second "little house", once the walls are done and new windows are in - so this work may not be ready to be undertaken yet!. We also need to lay some levelling concrete over the slab ready for installing new flooring.
The garden is flat, large and somewhat established, but there is still loads to do. Weeding is a constant chore....but also, an old crumbling mud brick fence needs to pulled down, removed, and replaced with something. Or restored if that is even possible.
....the list goes on! haha.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Bulgarian: Intermediate
Accommodation
You will have your own room in a double bed in the "little house". If we have finished the bathroom there, you will also have your own bathroom, but if not, you will share the bathroom in the main house.
Just to be clear, you need to be ok to "rough it" a bit. This is not 5 star accommodation but don't let that put you off. We are friendly and easy going.....you'll have fun!
Having said that, we put in an fantastic, 5 star in ground pool, (yes, it was our priority prior to renovating the house!!!) so there is that for the summer months!!
Guido will do most of the cooking (he's a great cook!) and preparation of food but we are both equally happy for those that have a desire to cook, to take over :) We also are a bit on the foodie side, so would love to swap recipes and tips!
Guido is not vegetarian, but he preferred not to eat meat. He eats fish and from time to time cooks meat for me.
What else ...
Join us in our small village, located 25 km east of Sofia. While the village is peaceful, with just one small supermarket, it offers a true taste of local Bulgarian village life.
We are well-connected by bus to a larger town just 10 minutes away (or a one-hour walk if you're up for it). From there, you can easily hop on a bus to Sofia for more extensive explorations.
As the only foreigners in the village, we enjoy being among the full-time Bulgarian residents and those with summer homes. In our free time, when we're not working on the house or garden, we take long walks to a nearby small and charming church, or bike rides to the local fish cafe 10 km away. You're always welcome to join us or explore on your own.
For those times when we crave a bit more excitement, we head into Sofia to soak up the city vibes :)
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have excellent Wifi and although not a full office setup, there is a comfortable desk you can use.
Can possibly accept pets
We have a socialised dog Max, and a cat who both mostly live outside. Happy to accept one other dog and one other cat if you are travelling with your loved ones.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (8)
Well located too, as only half and hour from Sofia and just a five minutes walk to the shop.
Many thanks.
Photos
Feedback
Well located too, as only half and hour from Sofia and just a five minutes walk to the shop.
Many thanks.
As a boss she is fair, enthusiastic and always willing to listen to new ideas; as a person she is kind, caring and always laughing. The work included projects like building a shed, creating a terrace area, with a dry stone wall and cherry oak tree steps;… read more
I did various tasks for her, including planting grass, and helping to create a desirable outside space.
Kylie is very communicative, loving, and appreciative of all forms of help.
I also enjoyed and took advantage of her close proximity and public transportation to… read more
In return the work to do list is varied and will suit the practical minded.
Words cannot thank you enough for such a memorable stay… read more
