Kathleen

Travel information

I am currently

Description

A South African/EU national, I've worked in five countries and traveled many more. I truly believe that new places, people and experiences keep us young! I also like to spend a decent period of time wherever I go, to get a proper understanding of the place and its culture: collect some recipes, fiddle with the language, walk some trails.

Currently, I'm a set dresser in Cape Town's commercial film industry. It's the longest time I've spent in one industry, and I love that it draws on so many skills at once: it's a combination of event management, logistics, crew management, styling/aesthetics, hands-on creativity and leftfield problem-solving. It's also seasonal, so I get to travel during my down-time.

For ten of my "off-seasons", I worked with a rural family at their Mediterranean guesthouse, as the main point of contact for visiting foreigners. Aside from general guesthouse duties, I guided guests on hikes, provided local and country-specific information, and brought people together over dinners to enhance the social aspect of their stay.

I've volunteered several times over the years: as a lifeguard in my teens; for a reforestation project in south India; and as a meal coordinator at a temporary refugee camp in Cape Town during the xenophobic unrest in 2008.

My most recent travels have taken me to Crete, where, for two months each of the last two summers, I've walked and cycled all over the island, while part-time working from "home".

In my down-time I like hiking, cooking, reading and low-key mountain-biking. I'm also fascinated by the field of functional medicine and nutrition. I spent a year dabbling with Greek on Duolingo before working hours got in the way, so that's something I'd like to restart this season.

Interests

Music

Politics / Social justice

Photography

Plant care

History

Hiking

Culture

Cycling

Events & social

Cooking & food

Books

Beach

Architecture

Languages spoken

English: Fluent
Afrikaans: Intermediate
French: Beginner

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

DIY and building projects

Eco Projects

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Some knowledge of:  

Gardening

Animal Care

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

General Maintenance

Helping with Computers/ Internet

More details about your skills

I have an "old-fashioned" work ethic - responsible, reliable, punctual and presentable. I strive for accuracy, I'm great at interpreting whatever brief is thrown at me, and I adapt quickly to new situations.

My experience is diverse: Set decorator, props buyer, front-of-house guesthouse manager/hostess, walking holiday coordinator and guide, restaurant and bar manager, English language reviser/copy-editor, corporate-level PA, Royal College-registered veterinary nurse.... I even worked on a few farms back in the day.

Years of travel have made me an effective intercultural communicator; I can chat easily on most subjects, with people of any age, education or background. I have a "sense" of the Germanic and Romance languages, even if I can't speak them properly, and I will always find a way to understand and be understood.

I'm particularly strong in organising, lateral/creative problem-solving, hosting guests, and most tasks involving accuracy. I also count my life and travel experience as a strength. Coming from an Art Department background, I can get my hands dirty and have a go at fixing things, too.

I'm creative in the kitchen, though I've never worked in a commercial one.

In summary, I may be useful for:

- Hospitality skills/Front-of-house roles
- Organising/leading
- Bar service
- English language editing
- Basic cooking
- Basic gardening
- Ideation/problem-solving
- Basic handiwork

and will put my hand to most other things, too.

(I have a driver's license, but it's not European, which may affect certain categories of insurance.)

Age

49

What else ...

* I work minimal hours from "home" as a copy-editor. The hours vary, but don't get in the way of whatever other work I'm doing at the time.
* My driver's license is South African and may not be valid in every country; we also drive on the left of the road.

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
  I don't eat chicken or red meat