Beth

United States
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Profile information

Reply rate
100.0 %
Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
My next destination:
Mexico - from Oct 2025 until Jan 2026
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Description
I'm currently traveling, mostly in Latin America. I have a small home in Indiana, USA, but while my health is still good and I have lots of free time, I want to see as much of the world as possible. I do volunteer work, especially with animals, gardening, permaculture and cooking. I'd love to learn jewelry making, ceramics, cuisines, and cultures. I've volunteered several times through WorkPackers, but am finding some interesting opportunities here on WorkAway.

I balance my time between volunteering, tours and the occasional downtime, just to rest. I'm working very hard to learn Spanish, but I'm still a beginner.
Interests
Self development
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
Pets
Farming
Culture
Charity work
Writing
Plant care
History
Books
Photography
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
Drawing & painting
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I have taught English in several countries. I want very much to learn Spanish.
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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Charity Work
Art Projects
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Being an elderly companion
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Languages
House sitting
More details about your skills
Animal care, especially dogs, cats, chickens, bees, and most farm animals. Plus I've worked with various wild animals, even monkeys, reptiles, amphibians, and orphaned animals.
Cooking--though I'm not able to do many vegan recipes, I especially love cooking big breakfasts for everyone.
Gardening/Permaculture
Cleaning, kitchen work, laundry

I have some experience with aquaculture/bio-digesting/solar water heating systems, but only on a small scale. I would like to learn more.
I have some experience with painting/jewelry making/ceramics, but would like to learn more.
Age
66
What else ...
I love to learn new things. I'd be especially interesting in cooking/baking, any art where I can use my hands, writing, watercolors, herbs and herbal medicine. I'm fascinated by different cultures, cuisines, ecology, nature and stories.

I hiked 1,400 miles of the Appalachian Trail (USA), 450 miles of the Camino de Santiago (Spain) and the Annapurna Trail (Nepal). I'm a retired Chemical Engineer, have taught English in 8 different countries, visited more than 35 countries, and was raised on a farm.

I'm learning the Ukulele. I always travel with a yoyo. My juggling is pretty bad, but I like it. I look for four leaf clovers everywhere I go.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  no
- Special dietary requirements
  no

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17 Nov 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join my art production ...)

This is listed as an "art production workshop" but there was no art going on while I was there. No artist in residence, No workshops. I understand that things change, but I had been very excited about this aspect and was disappoint when it wasn't the case. The art was the number one reason that I had chosen this position over others and I was not… read more told ahead of time that there was no art.

The owner had emphasized that I could arrange the work anyway I wanted. However, the gardener was there Mondays and Thursday, and on those days you worked for him on his schedule. On Tuesdays, water was delivered and in the dry season, you need to attend to the water situation all day. My last Tuesday, I attended to the water for 11 hours, and was asked for an update constantly. I worked 8 days, without a day off, because Serioshka made an agreement with the other volunteer that she could leave on the weekend (even though she arrived after me and frankly wasn't doing her part of the work). I was not consulted about this, so ended up working more days than agreed. I also didn't meet the owner until I'd been there a couple days (even though she'd said she would pick me up at the bus station), so the duties were not clear to me. I ended up doing far more work than intended. It was not appreciated. When I did meet her, she borrowed 40 pesos and didn't pay me back.

Serioshka texted me several times a day, all day, with things to do and check on. I felt like I was on an electronic leash. I had not known about the several surveillance cameras and was uncomfortable with being watched all the time. If I'd known about them ahead of time, I would not have come.

The cabins were rented out on the weekends, and unless you leave (which I could not do) or hide, the guests were constantly asking for your assistance. The guests seemed to think I worked for them. I ended up cleaning up the kitchen and fire pit after them. In theory, that wasn't my job. However, the housekeeper didn't once clean the kitchen while I was there. I shared this kitchen, so didn't want to cook in a dirty one.

Plans with Serioshka kept changing and while I tried to be flexible, it was frustrating. I finally reached my limit. On the final day, she had told me to meet her at 7:30a and to be ready ON TIME as she had a very busy day. I was ready. She came at 8:30a, with no explanation, and started yelling at me without even saying hello. I'd worked hard. I will not be yelled at like a child. I'd done more than agreed and she clearly wasn't happy with my work. I saw no reason to continue. I calmly gave her the key and told her I was leaving. Her response was "we can talk about this later."

We did talk later, but it was clear that nothing would change. She said she was "not a sweet" person, so not to expect her to be nice. I didn't feel she'd lived up to her promises. I wasn't going to work with someone who yelled at me, constantly checked up on me, and kept changing our agreements.I realize that this is a difficult time in her life, and I tried to be sympathetic, but I can't allow someone to treat me badly.

That being said, the place is lovely. I enjoyed the dogs, though they got out frequently and bark constantly. I like working in gardens and it could have been a peaceful experience.

(Good )

14 Nov 2025

Left by host (Join my art production ...) for Workawayer ()

Beth is an excellent and dedicated worker, so much so that she did much more than asked for, unfortunately she then resented it and left, furious, without notice. I then managed to talk to her and she complained about everybody that was there, including me... I talked to the people she complaint against and they never knew something was wrong...… read more

(Good )

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17 Nov 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join my art production ...)

(Good)

14 Nov 2025

Left by host (Join my art production ...) for Workawayer ()

(Good)

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Beth

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

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Some knowledge of:

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