Live and work together creating a sustainable community surrounded by nature on Pico Island in the Azores Portugal

Details

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  Description

  Live in the forest surrounded by nature looking out over the ocean with Pico mountain rising 2351m behind you. Work and learn together in an environment where the forces of nature are strong and the potential of the volcanic soil immense. Experience building with wood and stone. Help bring art and creative projects to the land. We come together every day in circle meetings to work through anything that is present at that time, relationships especially perhaps those with our selves, work life balance and creative ideas. You will be part of an 'I We' production. Your creativity is encouraged shared and often built!
  
  This is a traditional stone cottage I restored and is available to rent, this income funds the project. The cottage is 100m up overlooking the ocean with about 7000 m2 of forest above.
  'The Studio' is another traditional stone cottage that is, you guessed it, a studio with the main vegetable garden and a stage where jazz and blues concerts are held. The Studio is available to anyone who wants to run workshops, any creative activity, expressive art or dance and movement.
  
  I am living in the studio presently and want to permanently free that space for creativity.
  
  Now we are building a cabin and then wooden A frame 'tents' in a camp site close to Sol so that we may accommodate more people for longer periods. A community is forming.
  
  Sol is a roofless ruin and project to restore it is being created with our volunteers and a local architect.
  
  My intention is to create a place where anybody may come to connect deeply with themselves and what I call nature, it has many names but for me it is what connects all things. I realised that tending the soil of our mother planet and the soil of our souls are the two most important activities to aspire to. Ideally work to provide shelter and good organic food will only take about 30% of our time leaving the rest to explore our creativity, become human beings ensoul ourselves and all in a sustainable and responsible way as part of our living planet.
  
  
  
  Try Google Earthing Pico. A fun zoom into the Atlantic and lots of photos.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  If you don't get anything out of this exchange it doesn't work for me either. So whats on offer?
  Pico is one of the best places in the world to see whales and dolphins. The mountain and surrounding countryside are ideal for walking and the natural rock pools and tiny harbours around the island give access to the sea and the abundant life there. The diving is exceptional. There are several companies that may provide your experience from canyoning, exploring lava tube caves, trekking, horse riding and and.....
  
  Living on a rock in the middle of the Atlantic doesn't come easy! The cultural heritage is well represented in a wide variety of museums. Wine cultivation, crafts, folklore, music, volcanic geology and now an earthquake experience!
  
  The summer seems to be one festival after another, music, feasts and cultural events notably by Mirateca Arts. (covid has had a big impact on this but islanders are resourceful. I cannot imagine a better place to be.
  
  I learn something new here every day.
  
  Perhaps the richest part of this for both of use is sharing our experience our beliefs and values whilst engaged in 'good physical work' that cares for a small corner of this fragile planet. If you would rather be on 'retreat' let me know, it is perfect for that too, an amazingly healing environment.

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  Help

  I am receiving a lot of interest and at the same time the values beliefs and a clear way forwards is opening here.
  
  The website is being created and is far from complete or describing all the ideas but have a look if you have not already.
  thestudiopico.com
  Now I can see that a community will form here. A community in which caring for this piece of our mother earth will be as important as finding ourselves, creating our being together. The soil of the land and the soil of our souls.
  
  To enable this it is essential that we have more accommodation. I have decided to build two wooden A frame 'perma-tents' 10'x8' and 12' high as well as a 10m2 micro house in the forest.
  
  TO ACHIEVE THIS EFFICIENTLY I AM LOOKING FOR...
  
  Someone to Look after the Kitchen Garden harvesting sowing tending and Provide Two Simple Vegan meals a day. They will organise and run the 'living' part of life here.
  
  Someone with Woodworking and building Skills to work with me Building the micro homes and Clearing more Land for food and shelter.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Beginner
  Portuguese: Beginner

  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.
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  Accommodation

  Camping now. Wooden 'a' Frame tiny houses should be available from May
  
  The stone house is set up for couples and tourism to help fund this whole thing. If it is not booked it is available.
  The Studio is set up now as a bedroom and kitchen living area. A very flexible space, the kitchen moves into the back room enabling the main room to serve as an event or creative space. Soon I too will be living in the forest :)
  
  There is a hot shower and two toilets in The Studio garden. The bathroom in the ruin Sol is almost complete with loo hot shower and a bidet!
  
  We need more accommodation with more help it will be available.

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  What else ...

  If you love nature and wild places you will be at home here. I learn something new every day.
  
  If you have not experienced it before experience the healing and growing power of circle together.
  
  Having your own transport is highly recommended. There are cars scooters and bicycles (big hills so get fit!) for hire. I will help where I can. There is a minimal but effective bus service around the island timetabled to move helpers around. Taxis are excellent and not too expensive. A regular ferry service gives access to two other islands, Faial and Sâo George.
  
  Getting here can be tricky. Tourism is increasing rapidly so it is possible. Shop around book early and avoid peak times, June July August to save money. I love Spring and Autumn, even Christmas day can be warm and sunny and we can experience a week of fun and rain too. Time to be creative or relaxed indoors in front of the woodturner or to go out and experience the swirling mist and the power of the ocean meeting volcanic cliffs.
  Expect all four seasons in one day.
  It doesn't get below about 9 degrees C down here but you will look up to snow on Pico in winter. Think Mount Fuji.
  
  If you want to come and help here I will help with all this.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

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

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