Experience simple off-grid living in the peaceful countryside of Catadau, Spain

Details

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  Description

  Hi there!
  Are you adventurous, interested to learn what off-grid living in the countryside is like and have some practical skills or are willing to learn together? Then I might be looking for you to support me in caring for my home, and the land that it lives on, in rural countryside of the province Valencia Spain.
  
  My name is Kim, I'm from the Netherlands but currently living partly in my van and partly in this beautiful house in rural Spain. The house is really in nature on the countryside, about 15 minutes drive from the village of Catadau and about 50 min drive from Valencia. There is literally nothing here, except peace & quiet, olive trees and magnificent views all around. The house is a 2-bedroom house with 1 bathroom, kitchen and living room. Outside there is a little shed and a covered patio.
  
  Travelling and meeting people from other cultures is one of my big passions and by signing up as a host in Workaway I feel I can bring some of that experience to my own home and also give back some opportunity that I experienced myself when I was volunteering with Workaway, the joy of living and learning in the countries that you visit. So for me Workaway is a win-win opportunity. We will mostly do tasks together in the tasks around the house and I look forward to spending time with you by sharing meals and conversations.
  
  
  What does it mean to live off-grid and in the countryside?
  - electricity is only from solar power, so we have to be smart about what electricity to use when and when we can do laundry for example
  - there is a water reservoir underneath the house, this water is rainwater and also can be delivered with a truck. This water we cannot drink. Drinking water needs to be bought in the supermarkt. To save water, the toilet is a dry toilet. Which means this has to be manually emptied a couple times a week. And also we limit our showers, not too long, not daily.
  - Cooking is based on gas.
  - There is no central heating in the house. There are some gas heaters. There is also a fireplace, but this will be replaced with a proper heater as part of the upcoming renovation.
  - It is very quiet around here, this is wonderful yet can also be too quiet for some. So it depends on your personal preference. There is beautiful walking in the area.
  - Transportation: the village is only accessible by car. It's a 15 min drive over a curvy mountain road. It is best if the workaway volunteer has their own car or campervan. Then you will feel the most freedom.
  - Insects: there are bugs like mosquitoes and a lot of millipedes.
  
  Besides all these practical matters, it is a beautiful home in a beautiful area. When you have your own transport, Valencia is not far away. And it's a wonderful place to find some peace, maybe work on your own creative projects in your free time or simply enjoy yourself and take it easy by simple living.
  
  Who will you be sharing the house with?
  Hi, I'm Kim! A few years ago I travelled the world for 2 years, and also did some Workaway myself as volunteer. I had some really great experiences. I learned a lot from that time and had a great time traveling. So when I came back to the Netherlands I decided that I wanted to change my life and career, getting out of the corporate world and into more slow paced and sustainable living. That's how I ended up buying this house in Spain and also traveling in my campervan. Things I love doing is traveling, dancing, Taoist meditations & QiGong, yoga, reading books, playing board games, learning new languages or new things in general, getting to know new cultures. I love building community and am very open and interested in what I can learn from people I meet. I love having deep conversations about our inner world and the more spiritual world and anything in between.
  I speak Dutch, English, some German and learning Spanish
  I eat vegetarian. I can accommodate vegan as well. When you want to eat meat or fish you will have to buy and prepare that yourself.
  The house has a good wifi internet (Starlink) but regular phone service is limited.
  
  Who is this Workaway ideal for:
  - a solo traveller or a duo (could be a couple or 2 friends traveling together)
  - ideally you have your own car / campervan, especially if you want to stay in November as I will be gone for a while in November
  - so perhaps you travel in a campervan and would like to stay in the comfort of a house for a little bit, especially in the colder months
  - you'd like to stay minimum 2 weeks and longer stays are definitely possible in joint agreement
  - if you speak both Spanish and English it's a bonus for me as I'd like to improve my Spanish, but I'm open to welcome all nationalities.
  - In exchange for 5 hours of help per day for 5 days a week I can accommodate both lodging and food of 3 meals a day.
  - You will have your own room (or when you come as a duo you will share a room) and we will share the kitchen, bathroom and living space.
  - You have a creative and inventive mindset and enjoy finding practical solutions for random problems. You are practical and hands-on. You like helping together and also are fine doing a task on your own. I'm envisioning doing some of the tasks together and also dividing some of the tasks between us.
  
  If this sounds like you and you feel a tingle of excitement going through your body, then I'd love to meet you. I'm curious to read a bit about you and what interests you in this Workaway via a message and then I will propose a video call to discuss details and get to know each other so both parties can feel if it's a match or not.
  
  I hope to welcome you!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Events & social

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Van life

  

  Self development

  

  Astronomy

  

  Languages

  

  Books

  

  Camping

  

  Nature

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Dancing

  

  Beach

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Hiking
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I'm looking to share my living space with someone and in sharing meals and maybe spending time together playing board games we can learn from each other's culture and language. I'm particularly interested in learning and improving my Spanish. I speak fluent Dutch and English.
  I can also offer yoga, Qi Gong and meditation as I'm experience in these fields as well.
  I hope to learn from your practical and handy DIY skills in & around the house and garden. But as a human I'm mostly interested in what drives other humans, what sparks joy, what moves you, what brings you to tears, what is your perspective on how we should take care of the world and of each other?

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  At this moment I am looking for help with random light tasks around the house and land. The tasks that we will do together are things like, but not limited to:
  - cleaning out the shed, adding some shelves in it
  - fixing up the driveway, clearing branches that are in the way
  - random small tasks around the house and to hang things on the wall
  - some light gardening
  - some cleaning in the house and taking the trash out
  - there might be sometimes where I am away for a week or two and in those weeks it's only house sitting.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent
  German: Beginner
  Spanish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I would love to improve my Spanish. But am always interested to learn more about other languages as well. I can offer support in learning English and Dutch.
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  Accommodation

  You will have your own room, when you come as a duo (couple or as 2 friends) you will share a room. Either with a double bed or 2 single beds, both are available.
  The kitchen, bathroom and living space are shared with me.
  There is an outside patio and big piece of land.
  There is good quality wifi (starlink).
  3 vegetarian meals per day are included. Vegan can be accommodated as well.
  We can take turns cooking and doing dishes.

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  What else ...

  There is no smoking allowed in the house. I don't drink, but if you drink responsibly that's very welcome here.
  No loud music after 10 pm (unless we decide to dance together ;) )
  Helping days are flexible and to be agreed in good communication together.
  
  I live my life trying to take care of and be open to the people, animals and nature that are in my surroundings. I resonate most with people who do so too and who welcome and accept people from all nationalities, backgrounds, cultures, sexual preference or religions and beliefs.
  
  If you travel with a pet animal, please let me know in advance so we can see if that is a match.

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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

  I have satellite internet in the house through Starlink.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This is an off-grid place. So I won't be able to provide electricity for your camper/motorhome. Same with clean/grey/black water. This will have to be serviced elsewhere, but I do know places around where this could be done.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  If you travel with pets it depends on how many and which kind. Generally dogs and cats are fine if they're trained well. So let me know in your application what you'd like to bring and we can discuss.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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