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Details
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Description
We are a Swiss couple (both smokers) who have been living in Spain since 2017 on a quiet finca with plenty of grounds. We house 25 cats, 1 dog, 3 geese, 25 hens and 2 roosters, as well as some goldfish and a frog in a pond (which the geese and we use for splashing around), and soon 4 goats. We live a very secluded and peaceful life and have a good, albeit distant relationship with our neighbors (we respect each other's privacy but help out when needed). One advantage of our location is that the nearest fishing village is only about a 5-minute drive away and also has three large supermarkets, a weekly market, and many restaurants and cafes. We don't get many tourists, except for about two months in the summer. The village isn't very big, but it has everything you need. We live off-grid, which isn't always easy (running water isn't always available, electricity sometimes has to come from a generator, etc.). We don't use any poison in the garden, so we have a lot of weeds (which the goats will hopefully soon take care of) but also cicadas, crickets and many other insects.
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Types of help and learning opportunities
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
Light maintenance
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Interests
Pets
Farming
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Animals
Nature
Camping -
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
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Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Having lived in Catalonia for quite some time, we've become very familiar with its customs and cultural differences and have learned a great deal. Since we have many different animals (dogs, cats, chickens, geese, and goats), a love for animals is essential. All (almost all) of our animals are rescues and require special attention, love, and affection. Many are traumatized, and we can't even pet all the cats, but they all seem to feel very comfortable with us.
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Help
Since we have a large property and many animals, there's always something to do, someone to pet (especially the cats, who need and want their cuddles). We can usually do tasks together and cook, clean, garden, or look after the animals as a Team. I love to cook (Swiss, French, and Italian cuisine; I'm currently learning some Arabic and Indian dishes). I'm quite handy (I built the animal enclosures myself) and enjoy working with wood (because you don't have to be so precise... I'm not a perfectionist; it just has to hold). We're very relaxed and don't expect you to do heavy physical tasks, because you should also have a good time and cuddle with the animals. Regarding cleaning, I'm very relaxed; my windows get cleaned once a year, whether it's needed or not. The cats don't have litter boxes, but they do have the large garden. Since we live very closely with all the animals, clinical hygiene isn't a priority. The cats have their own entrances and exits, and Mystique (our dog) can also come and go as she pleases. Unfortunately, we can't stop the chickens from sometimes wandering onto our patio. Consequently, it's not always perfectly clean. Only the cats and the dog (and us, of course... we're allowed in too) are allowed inside the house.
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Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Intermediate
Spanish: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
We speak several languages and always enjoy improving them. Our native language is Swiss German (unfortunately not on the list), but we often converse in English and with the villagers also in Spanish/Catalan (and with gestures if necessary). Having lived here for over seven years, we've settled in quite well, and I can communicate reasonably well (my husband is more linguistically gifted and can communicate much better than I can), but the people here are very friendly and accommodating. -
Accommodation
We can offer several options: a pitch for a motorhome, caravan, or tent; a motorhome on the grounds; an outdoor sleeping area (bed); or a room in the house. Guests staying with us can eat with us; I cook at least once a day (dinner), otherwise you can help yourself, and we can discuss menu options. It's important to mention that we are heavy smokers and smoke indoors, and we also enjoy a few glasses of wine in the evenings.
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What else ...
There's a sports center with an indoor swimming pool nearby, the sea is only about a 10-minute drive away, and the village is about 5 minutes away. Having your own car would be extremely advantageous, as there is no public transportation. The most important rule in our house is that all animals must be treated with respect (except for cockroaches and mosquitoes). We even consider the wasps good neighbors; the chickens come onto our terrace, and the geese live very close by. I would also like to take more trips with my guests (that's you!), for example to the mountains or the Ebro Delta, partly to gather materials for my craft projects. In winter I also take Mystique for walks; in summer it's too hot for both of us.
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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
We can offer various workspaces, the internet connection is quite stable, and the working hours are generally very flexible (except for feeding the cats in the morning; from the moment you wake up, they starve within the next five minutes if they aren't fed immediately). Since we both usually work with headphones on or watch TV, etc., it's very quiet in the house.
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Space for parking camper vans
We have a large, partially accessible area available for your use. Bathroom and kitchen facilities are available for your use.
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How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
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My animals / pets
Agate
25 Girls, 2 Boys.. not very bright but friendly.
Legend
We house 25 cats... to many to take pictures of them all... they are all very cute
Mystique (9 years)
515
Mystique wandered into our lives, emaciated, desperate, and unchipped. At the time, I also had five other dogs, but she got along better with the cats from the start. Now she's currently my only dog, and since she doesn't get along with other dogs at all anymore, I can't get any more. She's sweet, loyal, and sometimes even obeys me... Unfortunately, she's very greedy and overweight, partly because she steals everything she can get her paws on (and she's very clever).
Gustav (5 years)
We have three geese, one male and two females. They live very close to the house where they are currently nesting, and we share the small pool in the summer. They are not dangerous or aggressive, but they hiss at anyone who doesn't approach with salad in their hand.
