Come lend a helping hand at my home in the beautiful Gauja National Park, Latvia!

Details

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  Description

  Hello, I moved to Latvia from North America a few years ago to live in the middle of the Gauja National Park. I chose living here because I love nature and wanted to explore my roots and also be near an international airport so that I could travel more often and, simply, to get off the hamster wheel and find a new and healthier way to live life. I run my own online business and also like to write, make jewelry, soap, pick wild herbs. I'm learning to garden and I grow small amounts of food. I also have a small herd of sheep that I inherited from neighbors over time who are free range and grass fed, quite friendly and a joy to have around. The property consists of 33 acres of paster land and forest with several ponds for swimming and wildlife, plus three cabins and the main home (which used to be a schoolhouse which has been renovated and converted into a family home. I would love some help maintaining the property and animals, growing food and general repair work.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainablity goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Living in nature, learning how to run a rural property, working with small farm animals and growing small amounts of organic food, and learning about another culture. Also, there are many edible plants growing here that can be identified and harvested. We also have deer, foxes, wild boar and other wildlife roaming through the property which is quite beautiful to experience.

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  Help

  This is my first time trying Workaway and I look forward to meeting new people from around the world.
  
  I am looking for an extra hand at my country retreat in the beautiful nature of Latvia in the middle of the Gauja National Park. I would really like some general 'handyman' kind of work, plus help with a small flock of sheep (feeding, water, cleaning out the barn areas etc.), and general maintenance such as cutting the grass with a small tractor, exterior painting, gardening assistance, chopping wood and making kindling and all the daily jobs that a place like this entails.
  
  I have three cabins, an old barn, plus the main house on 33 acres of land with two ponds for swimming and pasture and forest all around. There are also two large lakes nearby for swimming. Note: I do not cut all 33 acres...just the areas around the house and also some pathways through the rest of the property so one can explore, pick wildflowers, etc.
  
  I work most days with my online company and I am newly divorced and would love to have some help with the day to day upkeep. Although I (we) used to rent the cabins out to tourists who wanted to experience the culture of rural Latvia, since divorcing, I have decided to only use the property primarily for friends and family and maybe the odd 'creative' type who might want to rent a cabin to get away to meditate, write, etc.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Italian: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I would love to learn French, Spanish, and also improve my Italian.
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  Accommodation

  You would have a very nice self-contained private room in the main house with a beautiful view, a double bed, your own private three piece washroom (with shower) and a small living room area with two couches and a work desk. Kitchen is shared and food would be supplied.

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  What else ...

  There is a local bus stop to take you into the capital city Riga or other small towns, which runs quite regularly seven days a week. There are also many historic towns in the area, swimming and hiking and many outdoor activities and markets. We are also located in the heart of the Slow Food movement near the town of Straupe. The international airport is less than 90 minutes away with easy connections to many other European cities.

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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

  I run my business from here full time and internet is quite decent for being in the countryside. There will be a workspace supplied for you and private place to work from. The house is very quiet and I do encourage writers, and other creative and eco-friendly types and digital nomads in particular.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is plenty of parking and although there is reliable transportation by bus and train throughout the country (I would drive you to a bus stop), a vehicle could be very handy to have.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

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