Caring humans welcome at the foothills of Western Alps, Italy

Details

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  Description

  Hello everyone! My name is Sonai.
  I'll do my best to engage with messages, however my online presence is inconsistent. Plus, at times notifications don't get through correctly, and I miss messages. I'm truly sorry for those whose messages remained unanswered for far too long. It is never my intention, and I know it'a common, frustating phenomenon in this community to never hear back from hosts.
  Find the secret word and include it in your message if you are seriously intended to come!
  Also, before you proceed... *CAT ALLERGY ALERT!*
  You musn't be alergic to cats, nor uncomfortable having cats ruling your space.
  
  EXCHANGE OPTIONS
  
  OPTION A
  You are welcome to stay as a guest, no help needed (you might still be asked to feed the cats if you're at home when I'm not). I'm honored to have your company, to exchange energy, to share what I have, to be inspired by you. Couchsurfing style, if you're familiar with that. WIth this option, you either chip in for shared groceries or you provide for yourself altogether, depending on how much our eating habits align.
  
  
  OPTION B
  You actively work to improve the place, and you share with me daily house chores. Occasional house and pet sitting if I'm gone for 2/3 days to visit family. Of course I'm happy to have your company just as much, to exchange energy, to share what I have, to be inspired by you. Full Workaway mode, where I provide for your food (or better said, I include you in my eating routine, based on fresh produce from local farmers and everything else from the grocery store -vegetarian). It's common practice in the Workaway community to adjust to the hosts' eating habits, and to provide for oneself any extra. As an example, when I volunteer I usually buy myself chocolate and fruit, as I'm an avid consumer of both and hosts can't keep up with my consumption :)
  
  We can mix options up. You can take extra days off. You can leave for a multiple-day trip and return. I'm not looking for a worker, I'm looking for a conscious visitor who will hopefully want to contribute.
  
  Please address the option of your interest in the first message if you are seriously intended to come!
  
  With either option you get in return a temporary home, my friendship and support, cat entertainment 24/7, a space to slow down.
  
  LENGTH OF STAY
  To be determined together. Open to short and long term.
  
  
  WHO ARE WE?
  
  *Sonai*
  Hi! I've been a host on Workaway for a couple of other projects in the past, and I'm a seasoned Workawayer myself: I've been traveling and volunteering on and off for 10 years! I can empathize with your needs. And I can empathize with the struggle of getting answers from people. I'll do my best in that sense, even if it may take longer.
  I just entered my thirties, and feeling proud about it. To me, it means entering an era of unprecedented slowness and awareness. I'm a non-binary transgender person, and I feel solidal toward all minoritarian identities.
  I'm especially eager to host people in need of a temporary shelter, people who need a break, people who seek genuine connections, people who want to slow down and be simple, or simply be.
  I'm very curious about the unknown, and you my friend are unknown to me right now!
  
  
  Here follow my feline family members:
  
  *Miso*
  Hi! I'm a precious cat soul. Patience and observation are the keys to my heart.
  I'm sensitive to rapid movements, and I don't like it when giant human beings swoop down from above and try to capture me in their embrace... I am not Moro! I prefer when they bow to me, and we touch noses. Once I trust you, you won't get rid of me. When I say it's love time, it's love time! Luckily for you, though, I have other interests as well. If I see a fluffy object, I'll run to make biscuits on it!!
  
  *Moro*
  Hello, Moro here! In this life I am often slightly confused. I cope with it through exploration in the woods or cuddling. When I come back from my adventures in the outer world, I need to spend some time to meow to you about it and connect with you. Feeling comfort and love is important to me as I enjoy completely melting and snoring when I fall asleep. Boundaries are still a mystery to me and something I explore, because honestly I still like to suck like a baby and to invade the private space between humans and pillows.
  
  *Biru*
  I'm the smallest adult cat in the world! I fit into one hand. A little less ever since I've grown a beer belly. I'm a mom on vacation. My kids have grown up, and I do great on my own. I get by with little cat/human love. As long as there's food. I love food. Food loves me. Eating is my hobby and greatest passion. Cat food, human food, bread and butter, I love it all! Food food food food. I rarely leave the house, just in case food is coming. My sleeping spots are all strategically placed at visible distance from the food bowl. Don't pet me... feed me instead!! I must have swallowed a rubber duck when I was little, because I squeak at every movement. I'm as fragrant and soft as a bread loaf, and this is how I earned my nickname "pagnotta".
  
  *Guests of Honor*
  Lumi & Feta, two stray cats who've adopted us (invaded us). We're trying to find a way to coexist.
  
  *Special Mention: Fruu*
  You won't meet my human partner Fruu, and they still deserve to be mentioned as they're a pillar of this family and house.
  None of this would be possible without them. They'll be gone for most of summer and fall, so you likely won't meet them.
  
  
  WHAT TYPE OF HELP AM I LOOKING FOR?
  Please see the "Help" section below.
  
  WHO AM I LOOKING FOR?
  One person is more than enough for the help I need.
  I have the space and willingness to host more people, but not the financial means. If you don't mind chipping in for the expenses, than feel free to contact me.
  
  INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT
  If you identify as queer, as neurodivergent, as shy, as disabled,as outcast, or other labels... please know I am here to do my best to support you.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  House sitting
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  Interests

  

  LGBTQ

  

  Hitchhiking

  

  Carpentry

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Gardening

  

  Languages

  

  Photography

  

  Hiking

  

  Cycling

  

  Mountain

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  The opportunities to connect with the local culture are mostly connected to sharing the typical daily life of the villagers: a coffee at the pastry shop, a hike with the local group, a glass of wine at the bar, a visit to the market, a hike to a mountain shelter, the participation to rural events and gatherings. You can visit the farm of nearby friends who regularly host wwoofers from all over the world.
  
  We're situated halfway between the highly urbanized plane and the secluded mountains.
  Therefore you can still access some (limited) businesses and services, while you'll need to rely on yourself for many other needs (I'll help you out of course!).
  Make sure you mention the word 'molinera' in the subject line of your application. It's in your best interest to read till the end, as we share details that might or might not be deal-breakers for you.

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  Help

  We seek caring human beings who will love in equal amount the cats, the humans, the plants, the house, and the environment.
  
  Other than that, you can contribute to the place with a project of your own. I'm all ears, just make your proposal!
  Random examples of personal projects (not something I'm requiring; just random examples):
  -you're a cleaning fairy and you want to deep-clean all the windows (?!)
  -you want to decorate some rooms (many walls are empty) with handmade/naturemade creations
  -you want to clean up the trash from the creeks around the house... yeah, we have that :(
  -you want to cook and stack up the freezer for the busy days
  -you want to collect and process herbs and flowers into infusions and other wonders
  -when in season, you want to prune the plants and keep the yard neat (ivy invasion)
  -you want to repair/build furniture with second-hand material
  -please make your own proposal! Hopefully you'll be inspired when you get here.
  
  If you lack ideas, I can suggest something. If you'll be on your own, I'll suggest random projects. If we'll be together, we'll likely do woodwork. Woodwork may include cutting wood with the chainsaw (only if you have previous experience and you're enthusiastic about it), taking home the wood by hand/wheelbarrel/car, building a wood shed sourcing local materials, chopping wood with an axe, stacking up the wood.
  
  Life here isn't idyllic, and we often feel challenged by its limitations.
  What I ask for is not an unrealistic dedication to caring for someone else's life project; at the end of the day, this place would be nothing but a temporary home to you; what I ask for is the commitment to navigate the pleasant and unpleasant facets of the exchange with an open heart and an open communication: you're encouraged to share boldy the unease you may experience while being here: I prefer to foster a host-guest relationship that feels equal rather than hierarchical, and I understand things are flowing constantly.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate
  French: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  I work as a language tutor among other things: I'm patient and methodic when it comes to teaching my native language, Italian. I appreciate the same in return, but I don't mind if it's just a one-way exchange!
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  Accommodation

  Our house is sweet and cozy, yet rustic. You'll stay in a private guest apartment with basic amenities on the ground floor of the house. I'll be above you. We may share my kitchen, depending on your eating and cooking preferences. Alternatively, you may use a small kitchen of your own, with little equipment.
  I am highly sensitive to smells, so unfortunately I can't stand smoke, perfume, and other strong scents. Please respect this while you are in my space.
  There is no wifi here; you may use my hotspot every now and then to do your thing, and there's no data limits on that, however it won't be on all the time. In case you have data on your own phone: signal reception is fine most days.

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  What else ...

  Hiking trails available at the doorstep.
  
  IMPORTANT NOTE: in the little valley where the house is situated, a noisy factory is located as well. It's a steel factory that uses presses to shape steel components destined to other industries. The factory represent an essential economical and historical piece in the area, and it still provides for many families these days. We try to remember this when we feel challenged by the noise. The noise of the presses may come at any time of the day during weekdays; it's random and unpredictable; there are days that go by without any sound, while others are strongly affected by the production noise. It'll require some days to get used to, and we promise you will get used to it. Nevertheless, if you're sensitive to noise you need to be prepared.
  
  TRANSPORTS
  The most convenient way to move in and out is the car.
  The most environmental-friendly and fun way to move in and out is the bike.
  From our town -called Corio- you can catch a bus (only few per day) and head to the nearest town served by the railway (Ciriè). From there, you're a quick train ride away from the city of Torino.
  The surrounding peaks and valleys can be explored by foot, bike or car.

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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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  Space for parking camper vans

  However tight, the parking space can accomodate a small van.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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