Eloise

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hi there, I am a medievalist from the University of Oxford with a hunger for the outdoors and culture! I started off with a run-of-the-mill hostel experience, lugging a 22kg suitcase behind me and saw everything I was meant to see. I met a few people my own age, drank enough wine, and then I realised how futile all of these experiences were. My favourite writer, G. K. Chesterton, summarises this far more eloquently than I ever could: “The only way to get back to them is to go somewhere else; and that is the real object of travel and the real pleasure of holidays. Do you suppose that I go to France in order to see France? Do you suppose that I go to Germany in order to see Germany? I shall enjoy them both; but it is not them that I am seeking. I am seeking Battersea. The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land.” I want to shed the parochial mindset I have had for many years and to rediscover my own country, my own culture, with a clear mind.

I am a relatively contemplative person, naturally more prone to quietly go about tasks or be singing classical arias to myself- apologies in advance for the obnoxious opera singing.

I am finding the country I belong to currently and I enjoy writing poems and novellas about my experiences. I run a writing group at University and I have also written quite a few plays.

A fun fact about me? I acted, adapted, and directed a Middle English play of Piers Plowman.

https://medieval.ox.ac.uk/2023/02/10/piers-plowman-performance-at-st-edmund-hall/

I have resolved myself, a natural homebody, to find the world before it finds me. I have taken part in archaeological digs, grape-picking, wine stomping on Etruscan wine plates... I am evening venturing out to Armenia, a life-long dream of mine for four months in search of Classical Armenian manuscripts! After engorging myself in Armenian food and polyphony, I will return to Oxford for a masters in Medieval History and Classical Armenian.

I often find myself adapting very quickly to wherever I find myself. My biggest goal in life is to contribute in some small way to a cause greater than my own little life. I find that small actions feed into greater networks, and that particularly links to my own vision of sustainability. I long to run a self-sufficient homestead in the future so any experience I can procure would be more than welcome! My absolute dream is a cave-home! I am simply fascinated by them.

Can you make my dream come true? I have always wanted to ride in a noble chariot- a Piaggio Ape!!!!! O mio diletto. My birthday wish was to marry a man in Italy who owned a Piaggio Ape.

In terms of hobbies: my weirdest one is dry-stone walling in the Yorkshire Moors and spending quality time with my tortoise Mephistopheles... I am a bit fan of Goethe and Marlowe. I am quite a sporty person- I enjoy rowing, badminton, Judo, wild-swimming especially, and hiking. I long to learn new languages and learn how to sail and how to sculpt. I have made a bit of pottery in the past but it has always been heinous. I really enjoy chopping down trees as a fantastical stint in an olive grove has taught me. I can use a power washer, leaf blower, and I excel in gardening work. I also have the wingspan of a small eagle. I can also provide child-care, I have bucket loads of tutoring experience from the ages of 5-15. I have worked with children who have special educational needs and I am Enhanced DBS Checked. I also underwent Safeguarding Training. My greatest claim to fame is teaching an adorable six year old how to play chess on one of my Workaways. I still contend that he has the makings of a wee Bobby Fischer!

I have participated in one Workaway, working in a Tuscan vineyard for a month, plus one archaeological internship. In short, I am very new to this, but I am used to grafting and, above all, I approach all new experiences with a smile and bucket loads of enthusiasm.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
German: Beginner
Armenian: Beginner

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:  

Eco Projects

Gardening

Animal Care

DIY and building projects

Life at a Farmstay

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

General Maintenance

Languages

Art Projects

Charity Work

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Some knowledge of:  

Being an elderly companion

Teaching

Babysitting and creative play

More details about your skills

I have experience of gardening, eco-projects, and I would be particularly interested in a farm-stay or some degree of animal work. I am more than capable of heavy work in an agricultural setting as many early mornings in a vineyard has taught me! I am quite strong, from carrying many a boat on my shoulder, and would feel very comfortable in a farm setting.

I have tutored children from the ages of 5-18 for eight years and I have extensive experience in education and care-giving roles. I have volunteered with the elderly for five years and I have volunteered with special needs children for four years.

In the past I have sought enjoyment in design projects such as refurbishing old furniture, painting, sewing and even cutting hair! Moreover I am a tidy/clean and organised person and I am up for any type of housework activities.

I am ambitious, confident, and driven, with an eagerness to take on new challenges, and embrace hard work.

Age

23

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