Families and skilled people welcome in the Greater Oslo area, Norway!

Details

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  Description

  Welcoming new guests/friends from May! Also available space in July and August, for now :-)
  
  Especially great if you can contribute in house renovation and maintenance (even with only painting, but anything building-related even better; like electrical, plumbing, carpentry, stonemasonry/concrete, you name it – we can absolutely consider payment options for the right kinds of dexterity after an initial trial), or something related to mechanics, landscaping, gardening/planting/growing, etc. But of course everyone is super welcome to write me, and we'll see.
  
  Priority given to people taking a bit of time to write me a thorough, informative introduction when contacting me, as I feel it gives a clue to your work ethic and standards in general. I unfortunately do not consider anyone only writing me 3-4 lines of dispassionate trivia, or those sending me the same generic message they obviously sent to scores of others before me. You are applying for a comfortable position, so please do it properly.
  
  
  About me, your potential host: I am unapologetically myself, a somewhat alternative eccentric living on self-defined premises, not too concerned about collective approval or conforming to any narrative I disagree with. Turned 31 recently, currently residing in Norway for now, while figuring out where to go and what to do next, entering a new chapter of this continuously captivating conundrum they call "life". Having discovered Workaway a few years back, I have been enjoying hosting through this site ever since, with indescribably beneficial consequences for the fulfillment with which I perceive my place in the world, and its coming course. As a person, I am constantly occupied with some kind of adventure, unanimously welcoming whatever in store. Assuredly, I manifest a personality in many ways challenging conventional etiquette, staying true to my convictions of how to optimize existential contentment for all. Extraordinary non-judgementalism, here you go. Albeit unconditionally loving on a soul level, the earthly "self" must sometimes be pragmatic to get things done, thus I try to maintain an equipoise between giving and being given.
  
  While I am in no way hysterical about the current global situation, I do feel a strong aversion towards increased governmental oppression and totalitarianism, and the personal effects on people and communities in general thereof, all over the globe. Right now millions of people desperately need to be able to look forward to an idealized future offering fundamentals of dignity and fulfillment, and to be part of something genuinely meaningful and refreshing, in a sphere of positive energy. Something real: without lies, manipulation, mistreatment, whatever miscellaneous negativity and deceit raining down on most of us from high places from where we should ideally be preserved, encouraged, and supported. That is what I want my home to be, and to be able to amplify it in the company of others. Would love to start an autonomous community with similar-minded individuals on a suitable piece of land, preferably somewhere in Europe. If you coming here share that notion and we get along well, I am fully open to all kinds of ideas or efforts to manifest an idea in reality. I remain positive that our future is not as bleak as many imagine these days, and would love to transmit that optimism to anyone else.
  
  
  Initially, when I started hosting, I wanted to give back by offering families an opportunity to visit Norway in an affordable context after myself having stayed with host families who were not able to afford the costs of traveling and staying here for several weeks, but quickly realized I should be open to welcome single travellers, couples, and so forth, which I have been doing ever since. So:
  
  Are you representing a family unit of maximum 5 people?
  (Animals need to be considered individually, but keep in mind that the rules for bringing animals across the border are very strict, as Norway is not in the EU). Then you are welcome to write me. I love the combination and dynamics of the company of different age groups – bring a grandparent as well, if you wish :-) I am fairly open-minded as to how your family unit is comprised and do not discriminate against same-sex parents.
  
  Are you traveling alone, or with a friend/partner, ideally having some kind of useful skill to bring here? Your request is wanted. Preferably professional or at least somewhat advanced practical skills: like carpentry, plumbing, electricity work, landscaping, artistry, etc. In that case, not only do I need you, but will also do my best to help you find regular work in Norway, if you are interested. Someone who can practice languages with me (especially Spanish, German or Russian!) will also be considered, as will anyone capable of building/designing a basic website for a business. Or maybe you are an avid interior decorator, passionate about creating amazing atmosphere both in the home and outside, in the garden? Speaking of garden, if you are good with farming and growing plants; anything angled towards self-sustainability, doors are wide open!
  
  Or, do you perhaps have a unique skill of some sort? Who knows, it might come in handy, so your request is definitely welcome, too, it is fun being contacted by a wide variety of people. Nothing too alternative or unusual, everyone that can contribute with something, is welcome to write. Know that I never assume you can or cannot do anything based on superficial attributes, and find it distasteful when I see other hosts excluding potential candidates based on their gender and so forth.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I expect both the traveller(s) and the host to symbiotically co-exist, and evenly learn and grow from the time shared, in unison. From me or other people staying here, you can learn anything from the theoretical to the hands-on physical; languages, practical skills – whatever that can be offered in return for what I or we can learn from you. Openness and positive energies are quintessential to mutual benefit. I am myself an experienced world traveller, and always find it interesting to reciprocally exchange anecdotes and observations from adventures we might have been on in the past.

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  Help

  Help, and amounts of it, will be decided and agreed upon on the basis of what kind of skills you bring here. We tailor what you can contribute with, to what you master and feel most excited about doing. Those with practical skills usually get prioritized as I myself am not much of a handyman, and I also love to get to know those competent in growing food and medicinal plants. Artists, photographers, chefs, IT professionals, etc. – I can find a use for many different resources, and value opportunities to interchange expertise and knowledge.
  
  Now and then, I also like to host interesting individuals just for the sake of hosting. I am generally very attentive to those familiar with and intrigued by community building, self-sufficiency, all kinds of breaking away from conventional society to become independent of any established power structure that primarily seeks to oppress and profit from the effort of common people. Upon getting in touch with the right people, I would love to purchase some land to embody shared notions of symbiotic community living.
  
  Since I originally started hosting after having stayed with host families who wanted to, but aside from something like this would not be able to afford traveling to Norway, I am still open to hosting families without asking much in return, but generally we follow normal workaway customs as a starter. A fair share of people contacting me are looking to find regular work in Norway after doing this as a temporary bridge to get there, and for encouragement, if you are in that position – every single individual who came here with that purpose was able to do so fairly quick, and move on as intended. I have a large contact net, and especially for those with building skills, even if you do not speak Norwegian, finding employment here is relatively quick and easy.
  
  People will generally eat very, very well here. Depending on leftover volume allowing it or not, you are free to gorge on whatever edible as you please, whenever.
  
  Long-term stays possible under certain circumstances, but such needs to be evaluated singularly. I know times are tough in a lot of places at the moment, becoming worse by the day, and that there are countless households that have been victimized by the insane policies of their governments, in need of a safe haven. Which can be provided in exceptional cases for people I really care about, but I cannot promise anything.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Danish: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Norwegian: Fluent
  Swedish: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate
  German: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I love widening my linguistic capability, and helping others with theirs. Always a great way of adding to the experience and reciprocal benefit factor of someone staying.
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  Accommodation

  The current house I live in and work on is in a hamlet of about 10 houses, surrounded by rolling hills and agricultural land, close to a small town of almost 5.000 inhabitants, where you can find most shops and facilities needed. Direct bus to and from Oslo's main airport that stops right outside, which takes about 45 minutes and is fairly cheap. Miles and miles of forest with rich wildlife starts a 10-minute drive from home, and getting to Oslo by train is easy and takes less than an hour. Overall convenient location. You will have your own private bedroom and bathroom, but might have to share the bathroom with other workawayers if I have more people staying.

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  What else ...

  If you want to see distinct attractions Norway has to offer, I will be helpful in assisting you with logistics to the best of my ability. Now and then, if schedule permits, we can go places together to discover hidden gems most tourists never come across.
  
  A few guidelines and restrictions:
  
  - Smoking allowed outside, not inside
  - No heavy drinking or substance abuse (in moderation it's okay)
  - You need to be okay with friendly, but large dogs, and comfortable around them
  - If you make other friends here, I need to meet them before they are brought to my home
  - A positive, easy-going attitude! :-)
  
  Basic manners and respect for other people's property is of course expected, although I am fairly equable and tolerant, I treat others with the kind of dignity I would like in return. Such as cleaning up after yourself and possible children you bring, that is required.
  
  So, let us get to know each other and enjoy a great time!

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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

  Lots of space in front of my house for a mobile home.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Depends on type of pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Not more than 5 hours per weekday (Mon-Fri) on average. Some days it might be very little to do, other days a bit more. I'm flexible when it comes to times of the day and long sleepers are tolerated :)

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