Profile information
Host rating
Not yet rated
Feedback
-
ID verified
Email verified
Country info
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Dear Workawayers,
I’ve been lucky to find and purchase a new home in Alsace with a lovely view of vineyards, two chateaux, the very beginning of the Vosges mountains, and the Black Forest in the morning sunrise. I would love to share my home with you and ask you to share your handy-person skills with me.
You see, I have arthritis in my knees and am finding myself a bit challenged getting everything done I would like. The house itself is nearly finished being renovated (floors, walls, kitchen, bathroom, additional windows completed), with just a couple of detailed bits to finish (like the kitchen backsplash, railing on the side porch, a new gate out front), but I’m not quite able to get everything just the way I want it due to my knees. The garden in particular needs a couple of raised beds built, lots of prep work for a mixed hedge to create wildlife habitat and food, the compost area to be sorted, and, for my dog Finn, an agility course!
My village is on the Alsatian Route du Vin. It specializes in Alsatian Riesling, a beautiful wine indeed. If you would like to engage in an intercultural experience, in terms of language, my fellow villagers speak Alsatian regularly (I'm afraid I do not), French is our common language, and in my home, English is the L1. We have a wide variety of neighbors, including wine makers, academics, child-care providers, artisans ... Our population is made up of all age ranges. You can have a truly transcultural stay here if you wish.
When I was younger, I explored the world. These past several years, I have not traveled much at all for various reasons, including that I simply like being here. That said, I do miss meeting new people and their cultures. Workaway seems a wonderful opportunity to continue experiencing my love of learning through sharing my home with others who would like to do the same. A shared, intercultural exchange would be a fantastic way to keep my international exploration going while providing an option for others to do the same.
If you enjoy and are good at working with your hands, building things, carrying things … if you like fox terriers and gray kitties … if you would like to enjoy rural, village life, simply cooked, fresh, seasonal, mostly local foods … and if you would enjoy mixing cultures and sharing space and conversation, this workaway might be for you.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Help around the house
Light maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
House & pet sitting
Interests
Culture
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
Pets
Movies & TV
Plant care
Photography
Music
History
Gardening
Cooking & food
Books
Animals
Outdoor activities
Yoga / Wellness
Mountain
Nature
Cycling
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I'm a US-born French-American teacher-researcher at the University of Strasbourg, specializing in intercultural themes, democratic citizenship, plurilingualism, and linguistic mediation. My work and my life are pretty well aligned.
I live in a small Alsatian village where my neighbors are native Alsatians — meaning they speak Alsatian as well as French. It's a genuinely pluricultural space, and you're welcome to experience it at your own pace, follow your own interests, and add something of yourself to it.
The surroundings are beautiful — mountains, castle ruins, vineyards. I love the Vosges and explore them often. Company is always welcome. Weather permitting, I roll down the windows, put on road trip music, and enjoy all five senses. Finn the fox terrier mix comes with.
Alsace has a lot going on. Village flea markets throughout spring weekends. Festivals and outdoor films in summer. Live music can often be found. Cultural events are constantly changing. You can be as immersed as you choose to be.
Help
I’m looking for a handy person to help with tasks I am limited in doing myself. These included some DIY projects inside the house and mostly outdoor tasks: building raised garden beds; carrying dirt; preparing areas for planting; sorting out the compost area; building a backyard agility course, and more.
I do not have handy skills myself: those you will need to arrive with. I am open to different opinions and appreciate the chat. I'm happy to make some space for your creativity and vision. Design skills welcome.
Your good energy is appreciated here in my home!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
German: Beginner
Accommodation
The house has just been renovated. There is a full bath and a half bath. Your bedroom has an artisanal full-size bed and chest of drawers, two bedside tables, and a low table for a suitcase. There is a full and well-equipped kitchen that opens onto the living room and dining area. There is a porch/covered terrace off the living and dining areas. There is also a basement with garage, storage, and a summer bedroom that does double duty as the potting room.
In terms of meals, I prepare fresh local foods, veggie-heavy and also with meat. I eat gluten-free, low salt, low sugar. If you have special dietary needs, please let me know - we will see how we can meet them.
Of special note: there’s a piano, and I would love to enjoy listening to you play.
What else ...
My village has a limited bus and train service. There is a nearby town that is easy to reach by this limited service, and from there you can get pretty much anywhere. If I am able, I am happy to drop you in the neighboring town as well.
Alsace is an incredibly beautiful region. Germany and Switzerland are very close; the Vosges are very close; the history and culture are vibrant. You can take day trips or weekend trips all around. Cultural events, cities, small towns, nature, history... I'm a question away with suggestions.
Some personal notes: I prefer non-smokers, including no vaping. I’m happy to share apéro and prefer reasonable alcohol consumption. General good manners, kindness, respect, honesty, and integrity are necessary.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I have a dedicated office/sewing room. The dining table is often my preferred work space. The breakfast counter in the kitchen and the potting table in the basement in front of a large window are also workspace options. We would just need to negotiate your and my needs, times, and spaces.
Space for parking camper vans
There is a camping in our village. This accommodation would be yours to arrange, but I'm happy to share the contact information..
Can possibly accept pets
One dog only, and entirely dependent on if your dog and my Finn get along. If not, I'm afraid the workaway would not work out.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Gary
Gary joined our family soon after we arrived in France. First, he was my son’s cat. Then he was my second daughter’s cat, until he became my oldest daughter’s cat. But really, I think he is my cat.
Finn
Finn is a fox terrier x, found at an SPA, with me for 7 years now. He is my constant companion.
