Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Feedback
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Email verified
Details
Description
Hello and nice to meet you this way!:)
So first of all a little about me; my name is Paolo and I am 46 years old. I'm a research scientist working in a public research center close to Florence in the life sciences area. I'm a nature lover and I felt in love several years ago with piano, thus I try to play it whenever possible. I love arts in general and I try in my moments of inspiration to have funny with digital art and photography. I'm curious, open-minded toward different cultures and ways of being, flexible, online with conducting an existence that takes into account the great challenges that await us such as climate change and reduction of our consumerist attitudes. I don't stand the city chaos, traffic, living in apartment. This is why together with my partner, two dogs and a cat in 2014 decided to permanently move from Florence to the countryside in the Superior Arno Valley. Here I still live in a large house at 400 meters above sea level surrounded by a 2,000 m2 garden including 2 parts dedicated to winter and summer vegetable gardens. At the moment we live there as the two of us: me and a very adorable Australian shepherd female dog, requiring a lot of affection. Living here is very relaxing and a good compromise to stay surrounded by nature and greenery but not so far from public transports.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Getting to know different cultures and places means having the possibility of seeing and experiencing a different way of life. Here you'll receive a cultural experience spanning from a "soft living" close to nature to an invaluable potential to visit places of high historical and artistic importance like famous cities as Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca or the myriads of small medieval town throughout Tuscany.
I think a more sustainable way of living is possible and the tight contact with nature can favor this transition. You'll have a very pleasant stay if you are respectful of people, nature and like to live in a quiet countryside location on the hills of the Tuscany Region but close to Florence which is 30-min away by car or train. A driver's license in this sense would be recommended because bus connections to reach the nearest station are possible but occasional, especially during the non-school period
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
So what's my plan?
I need help on 4 levels:
1) the house requires basic household tasks which I currently do but I'm looking for someone supporting me with routinary indoor tasks like cleaning, washing and hanging clothes, cooking, etc.
2) gardening: as mentioned there is a big garden. I like gardening but as I am alone I find it sometimes difficult to do it satisfactorily. Examples are planting, seeding, keeping the vegetable gardens tidy, picking fruits, making jams and preserves and so on. Your help would be highly appreciated in this context. My dream (only a dream for the moment) would be to put hives for honey. Thus aspiring beekeepers are welcome!
3) about 3 days a week I work face-to-face (near Florence) leaving my dog alone for too long: here is needed simply your presence for some hours in these days to care the dog. Thus it's a sort of dog-sittting. There are also very beautiful walks around starting from the house and passing through olives trees, horses, wineyards and a small castle: thus a very nice regenerative immersion into nature that can also be exploited together with my dog
4) baby sitting: once or twice a week I will have my 5-6 year old son together with me, most times it will be on Saturday-Sunday and more frequently after school ends during summer holidays. He is now starting elementary school. Therefore I think it's a great experience for him to interact with different people, different cultures even different languages. He is educated but full of energy and likes a lot to listen to stories
NOTE: the minimum stay here will be 1 month. Respect, responsibility, cultural maturity, adaptation are essential requisites
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Spanish: BeginnerThis 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
You will stay in a secondary branch of the house at 1st floor recently renewed including 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom with a very peasant view towards the valley. Consider that temperatures during winter can stay below 10 °C during the day and also in the house a certain spirit of adaptation is required (don't ask me for having 20 °C in your room during winter please). I typically cook Mediterranean dishes and I like to experiment with new recipes, especially italian desserts. I will be happy to exchange knowledge about Italian foods. I can guarantee 3 meals a day
What else ...
In your free time can reach important historical-artistic sites both by train or by car. I'll be happy to give you suggestions and information on what visiting and if possible i'll accompany you. Tuscany is a succession of splendid landscapes marked by dense vineyards, chestnut, oak and holm oak woods, evocative medieval villages, romantic castles and charming farmhouses. Where I live there is an ancient tradition in the production of olive oil and tasty wines (we are close to region of Chianti Classico) and if you are a lover of these products you can taste them in the cellars of the farms
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can possibly accept pets
Consider the presence of a dog, which although tolerant and friendly, at the beginning she will bark a lot. Small adaptable dogs and cats should be accepted by her without problems
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
