Chantal

Travel information

I am currently

Description

I have always been curious about what there is on the other side of the border - Belgium is a bit small :-).. That's why I moved to France and Southern Italy for a few years and worked in tourism in Turkey, Thailand and, again, Italy., but then in the more northern region. Italy and Turkey feel like second homes to me now...
Apart from tourism, I also worked as a language teacher, in customer service. - even if that is often very stressful, I manage to stay calm in all situations, which is NOT always the case in personal matters, unfortunately ! - I also did office work of various types. But I never wanted a job to "define" me.

Due to a number of reasons - of my own choice (taking care of my mother) and not - I haven't always been able to travel as much as I would have wished to, so I want to somewhat catch up now. I hope to get to some places where foreigners usually don't go, and to learn some new skills.. ... I would also like to spend more time in nature, far from the very strong radiation we have here ... I love being near (and IN! I am a good swimmer) the sea, a lake.

My WA "career" got interrupted after two stays last summer. I meant to alternate helping out at my last working place, and doing WA, but I ended up staying almost a year here, because some colleagues promise to come back, and in the end never do! I worked at a b&b in Calabria and in a huge garden with plants and vegetables in Sicily- but that host got blocked while I was there, hence there is no review.

I live quite simply... I haven't got a car, (and no driving license: not handy for remote areas, I know...) so I move around by train and with my little folding bike...Seeing people is beautiful, but I appreciate the peace and quiet of being at home too (So I guess I am the perfect housesitter 🙂)

I am not interested in social media - I don't even have a smart phone, just an "old fashioned" mobile one, which turns me into a curiosity for quite some people...! But what does interest me is researching other versions of what we are being told in mainstream media, in various fields.
Natural healing and body care, healthy food, good water... have also become a passion - with sauna being my favourite drug, together with now and then a big chunk of chocolate , because I still have a sweet tooth 🙂... I started picking my own vegetables in an organic farm - where I also help out with weed clearing and planting.

I appreciate straightforward and honest people,with a critical mind... Wealth doesn't impress me, ways of thinking do... I have friends of all ages but most are a good deal younger than me... So don't pay too much attention to my age, I get on with everyone.. But I think it is best to have a short zoom with a host to see if the vibes match. .

Interests

Art & design

Nature

Books

Languages

Yoga / Wellness

Fitness

Beach

Cycling

Languages

Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent

More details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Being an elderly companion

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Helping around the house

Charity Work

House & pet sitting

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Some knowledge of:  

Hospitality/Tourism

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Able to teach about:  

Languages

Teaching

More details about your skills

I am good at languages: I am a native dutch speaker, but my french is nearly as good as my dutch. I studied english and german, and speak Italian very well due to my years there
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I am very customer oriented: I like taking care of customers, tourists,...,I'd like to help out in a guest house... I have never had a nine-to-five mentality: tourists can d ask for help at any time, But the care needn't be limited to reception: other tasks like cleaning, helping out in the kitchen, serving meals ...are ok too...

I like being outside, being active there ... so gardening, helping in farming, planting vegetables, picking fruit (I did that years ago) are options too.

Age

61

What else ...

I don't count the hours when there is work to do, but I like taking a small break after lunch.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements
  Not really, but I pay attention to my food and I don't take a breakfast (intermittent fasting)I eat a lot of vegetables, fruit, I try to limit carbs ... I don't eat meat every day, but I don't want a vegan or vegetarian diet. I don't eat microwaved food.