Learn Spanish from a teacher and stay in a tranquility haven while helping me around my home in Illano, Spain

Details

• 

  Description

  Hola! I am a Spanish woman who just came back home after 23 years living abroad and travelling the world teaching Spanish. I speak Spanish and English fluently. I am a very sociable introvert, so I'm happy to be around people, but you will need to understand that I also value and pursue my time alone.
  
  I live in paradise with my two Indian rescued dogs and rescued Spanish mastiff! We are close to Illano, in Asturias, North of Spain. My place has a main house and three independent apartments. The whole house has amazing views of the lake and the mountains and a little finca with trees. I have just moved here, so I have plenty to do around the house, garden and land, but the house is finished and comfortable, although it still needs some improvements.
  
  We have almost no neighbours and the closest town, Illano (pharmacy, doctor) is 5 km away, although we have a bar and restaurant with a beautiful swimming pool 2 km away. The closest town with all services, Boal (supermarket, bars, coffee shops, restaurants, diy shop, etc) is 20 min away by car, but I go to town once or twice a week, so happy to give rides. The closest city is Navia, by the beach, 40 minutes drive from my place. So if you are looking for calming surroundings and tranquillity, this is your place! Also if you are into hiking, fishing, swimming or kayaking, this is available here.

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I would be happy to teach you Spanish formally or informally at your convenience, and we can work out the best way for you to leave my house being fluent! I have been teaching Spanish in various contexts for the past 15 years, so I really know what I'm doing :)
  
  Culturally I am very mixed since I'm Spanish, but I have lived in UK, Cyprus and India, but I brought a little from all of them, so happy to share culture, stories and food recipes!

• 

  Help

  The work is quite general: loads of gardening (strimming, pruning, planting and keeping the vegetable garden, cleaning the forest, collecting and cutting wood, etc...) decorating, painting, fixing and cleaning around the house, some diy skills will definitely help (wood work and construction/renovation specially welcome), and general maintenance. Looking after the animals sometimes too (must like dogs).
  
  I do most of the cooking at the moment, but happy to share that too :)

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent

  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

  Apart from the main house (with the common kitchen), I have independent apartments with a bedroom and bathroom (and hot water). Two of them also have a small basic kitchen and living room with basic furniture. All of them have beautiful views of the lake and mountains, and only the birds will wake you up in the morning.
  
  I normally have breakfast and cook two proper meals per day. I'm happy to cook and share my meals. 95% of what I cook is vegetarian and/or vegan, so happy to have you if you are either. I do cook meat (and keep it in the fridge) sometimes, but if you are a daily meat eater, this may not be the place for you. If you prefer to cook your own meals in the apartment, that’s also fine. If you rather have your meals alone, I'm ok with that too.
  
  We are introvert and LGBTQI+ friendly here. In general, I'm pretty chill with everything and very respectful as far as you are too.

• 

  What else ...

  This is a place for calm and introvert people, but there is room for being active too. You can have lovely walks, trek, go to the lake, fishing or go to the swimming pool (open in the summer). There are some nice towns around with traditional architecture. The beach is 40 min away by car.
  
  The house has pretty decent internet, I just need to amplify the signal, so it is not only available in the main house. Still working on that.
  
  Public transport wise there isn't much around as people here rely on their cars, but I'm happy to give you rides to town and the city since I go there once or twice a week anyway. There is also a taxi service available to go to Navia (city).
  
  Find us on Instagram - ask us for the link

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  Can host digital nomads

  This is the perfect place for digital nomads that want to live away from the noise, although I am still working on improving the internet. At the moment internet is enough for browsing, emails, Netflix, and video calls, and I am just working and making the signal available all over the compound.

• 

  Space for parking camper vans

  I have space for one camper van to park but we will need to check the dimensions because the access to the property is a bit narrow (wide enough for a big van but not for a small truck).

• 

  Can possibly accept pets

  My two (medium) dogs are a little territorial but I want them to get used to have other dogs around, so if your dog is well socialised and friendly and you are willing to work with them the first day, I’m sure we can work things out.

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

• 

  Hours expected

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

Feedback (2)