Ian

New Zealand
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Description
I love fixing things and finding out how things work. I have an adventurous spirit and an engineering mind. I'm motivated by wanderlust and the unknown. My favorite place might be just around the next corner...
Interests
Yoga / Wellness
Writing
Winter sports
Water sports
Van life
Team sports
Sustainability
Sailing / Boating
Outdoor activities
Nature
Music
Movies & TV
Mountain
Hitchhiking
History
Hiking
Fitness
Farming
Events & social
Dancing

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Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I would love to learn to speak Spanish fluently because I already have a basic understanding of the grammar and vocabulary, but am also interested in learning Italian, German, and French. I could teach English if it was requested but have never felt teaching to be my vocation.
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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Art Projects
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
More details about your skills
I have a wide range of skills including carpentry, basic electrical wiring, painting, spot welding, animal handling, livestock management, plastic moulding manufacturing, heavy equipment operation, hand tools, landscaping, and a Bachelor's Degree in English: Creative Writing. Basically, I can't figure out what I want to do with my life, so I just keep trying new things.
Age
33
What else ...
I like to go snorkling/diving, horseback riding, hiking, play volleyball, play guitar and sing, and play trivia games, board games, and puzzles.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Very mild allergy to cats but I love them so I put up with it.
- Special dietary requirements
  No dietary restrictions, but I'm not a big fan of seafood.

Feedback

28 Apr 2024

Left by host (Live the dream in a homely ...) for Workawayer (Ian)

This review is appallingly late (by 5 months)... partly because I've been trying to find words that do justice to Ian.
I have failed.
To be fair, I don't think the words exist.

All I can tell you is that Ian isn't just one of the best workawayers I've ever hosted (out of 150+), but also one of the loveliest humans simply to be around.

He… read more arrived last September. And then again in October. And then again in November. I was lucky to steal him for so many of the last weeks of his European adventures.

Within hours of his first arrival, he had fixed about 70 things. Those annoying little things that just make life more difficult when they are broken, or leaking, or squeaking.

With an impressive array of practical skills and tool expertise, plus a phenomenal problem-solving brain, there is literally nothing that Ian cannot put his hands too ~ from car mechanics, to woodwork, to electrics, to a non-functioning shower that had everyone else, including professional plumbers, stumped for months.

He is the perfect workawayer combo of physically fit and very strong, exceptionally practical and experienced, and super-intelligent.

The main project I threw at him was construction of a huge woodstore (based on a crazy design idea I had). Like me, Ian loves to salvage and recycle materials, so although there was a lot of rifling about in shrubbery and derelict buildings, we managed to get nearly everything needed for free, including lovely old terracotta roof tiles. And some great memories.

There were a lot of DIY ups and downs during the build ~ swearing at the rain, tape measures and cement, and trying to make all the random parts fit like a jigsaw ~ but we also had a lot of laughs. And I was both grateful and impressed that I could leave Ian to do the lion's share of it. I only hope he doesn't now have a PTSD-induced tick every time he sees a log :-)

Furthermore, I was very touched that he sacrificed the last days of his trip to complete it. He is a truly conscientious and generous person who likes to finish what he starts, even if there is too much on his to-do list.

Thanks to Ian, I now have the strongest, most unique and most beautiful woodstore in Europe. (I challenge anyone who says otherwise.)

But without wishing to diminish this incredible gift he created, I think the strongest, most unique and most beautiful aspect of his stay was actually the friendship that grew between us.

Ian is the most gentle, humble, caring, kind and relaxed company. He's thoughtful, wise beyond his years and has a brilliantly dry sense of humour. We bonded over countless conversations, fellow nerdery, jam sessions, writing groups, cat bothering, random films, board games, comfortable silence and more. Due to the consistently bad weather, we were forced to stay at home more than usual. Yet he never once complained, nor invaded my space (quite an achievement). He only ever added illumination.

If that wasn't enough, he is also a superbly talented guitarist with a voice to die for (followed by an immediate request to be resuscitated, so you can hear him sing again). Many an evening was spent curled up by the fire, listening, smiling and sometime even crying at the beauty of his music.

Suffice to say that Ian is definitely family to me now. We're still in touch. I still miss him. And I'm truly hoping he'll be back. I'd certainly have him back in a heartbeat, for as long as he could cope with the cats, the chaos and me :-)

If you're lucky enough to be messaged by Ian on his next travels, don't hesitate for a nanosecond. Grab this fabulous human being with both hands and know that you've just won the lottery.

(Excellent )

19 Nov 2023

Left by host (Learn about Croatia and help ...) for Workawayer (Ian)

Ian stayed with me for two weeks during October and November. He arranged his visit a long time in advance as part of his trip from New Zealand across Europe. He was very well organised and took great pleasure in planning a project and seeing it through to completion. He set about fixing lots of things both inside & out and is a great asset. I… read more

(Excellent )

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