Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
11 Oct 2023
Feedback
9
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We're fixing up an old house from around 1920 in Hotton in the lovely Province of Luxembourg, to turn it into a lovely little second hand clothing shop and make the rest a cute, comfy, cozy little house using ecological materials and creative ideas! We do not actually live there, and depending on how busy we are, we sometimes need more help at home, so please also read our other Workaway profile entitled "Stay with a fun-loving international family near Durbuy, in the lovely Belgian Ardennes" for a detailed description of the kind of help we need there.
We're an easy going Flemish-American family consisting of the kids, who are now grown: Michelle (95), Emile (99), and Cole (92) (that's when they were born of course, not their ages!), and the folks, Christina, from California, and Peter, from Antwerp.
Christina and Peter live in a village nearby with Cole, who is studying philosophy at the University of Liège while living at home, and Elena, our sweet, gentle Spanish greyhound. Emile is studying music in Rotterdam and Michelle is studying theatre in London.
If you don't have your own means of transport, which we're aware is usually the case with Workawayers, there is a train station about 10 minutes cycling from the house (there are a couple of foldable bikes that need a bit of touching up), then it's a few minutes train ride to our nearest station, which is a few minutes drive from where we actually live, and we can pick you up on days we need help at home. If you're very quiet and discrete, then staying at our home can sometimes be an option, depending on what Cole is working on for his studies at that given moment.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Helpers will have the opportunity to practice some basic carpentry, and various other aspects of fixing up an old house. You can also practice French, English and Dutch.
Help
We’re renovating with sustainable materials and techniques. No previous skill required, we'll adapt what you feel comfortable doing and always provide you with many options.
In exchange for food and stay, we ask for approximately 25 hours a week and we are totally flexible about the distribution of the hours. We feel it's important that people spend their time doing things they enjoy.
There is no minimum stay and we like to start out with a test period of a few days. Also, once you're here, if for whatever reason you choose to leave early, that's also fine. We like people to feel at home and relaxed with us.
We are not offended by last-minute cancellations, as long as you let us know.
Bottom-line: we're fun-loving and easy-going and fair give-and-take works well with us. ;)
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Dutch: FluentThis 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
Workawayers will stay in Hotton in a very cozy but minimalist tiny studio behind the house. Since you'll be alone there on days you're not working with us, we prefer having at least 2 Workawayers traveling together: it's less lonely, making it easier and more fun to make good use of time alone. We want you to enjoy all aspects of your stay as much as possible. If you're very quiet and discrete, then staying at our home can sometimes be an option, depending on what Cole is working on for his studies at that given moment.
What else ...
Hotton is a cozy small town with a river running right through it, in a beautiful region with meadows and woods and lots of nice hiking trails. It also has exceptional caves you can visit. You can get a glimpse of Hotton and its surrounding villages in the YouTube video entitled "Hotton destination nature".
The train station is 2 km away (half an hour walking/10 minutes cycling). There are also all the basics within a few minutes walking from the house: wholefood shop, supermarkets, cafés, pharmacy, banks, post office, etc. It doesn't take very long to get to cities by train (<1 hour to Liège, just over 2 hours to Brussels, a bit more to Antwerp or Ghent and around 3 hours to the North Sea coast). Tip for taking the train cheaply in Belgium if you're under 26: get a Youth Ticket for only 6.60€ and you have a one-way ticket anywhere in the country! If you're 26 or over, we can advise you depending on your train travel plans within the country.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Approximately 25 hours a week (we are totally flexible about the distribution of the hours), in line with Workaway guidelines: see Information for Hosts
Feedback (4)
Peter is super cool and funny! I really loved his stories and the way he told them was always really amusingly and engagingly. He also teached me how to use a scythe and how to do spoon carving! Besides everything he cooks is… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Peter is super cool and funny! I really loved his stories and the way he told them was always really amusingly and engagingly. He also teached me how to use a scythe and how to do spoon carving! Besides everything he cooks is… read more
