Lotte

Travel information

I am currently

Description

With an appetite for being challenged, to grow and remember again there is more to life then my own comfort zone, I quit my last job and finally made a long dreamed trip to India. I loved my job as a vegan/vegetarian chef and host at Villa Epicurea in Portugal. But now it's time for something new, unknown, different...

While travelling in the past , I've often used voluntary work as a way to meet local people and immerse myself in a culture that is different then mine. I volunteered in numerous projects all around Europe, in some organic farms, startup outdoor businesses preparing their land and a cultural centre, from periods to a few weeks, till 2 years. Every project involved different tasks and learning opportunities like creating an organic vegetable garden, cooking vegan meals for groups, hosting tourist, making natural cosmetics, herbalism, gardening, natural building techniques etc

I am excited to get working again, learn new skills and share my knowledge

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Portuguese: Intermediate
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I find it really hard to learn a language out of books and understand that the best way to learn is just by speaking. So any type of language exchanges I love, for example someone that wants to learn English but only speaks Hindi, would be a win win for both of us to learn a new language!

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

DIY and building projects

Being an elderly companion

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Some knowledge of:  

Babysitting and creative play

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Charity Work

Languages

Art Projects

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Able to teach about:  

Gardening

General Maintenance

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

More details about your skills

During my volunteering years I’ve had my own reasonably sized garden for two seasons, and worked on and off on other gardening projects. I studied a lot about permaculture, and tried to implement these ideas as much as I could. We made our own hot compost, had a worm compost, focused on giving back to the soil as much as we could. I surely still have lots to learn (it’s a lifetime of learning right!) but it’s something I am passionate about.

I LOVE TO COOK. Even before I started to cook professionally as a vegan/vegetarian chef for the last 5years, I was already cooking a lot as a volunteer. I think my strenght in cooking is to cook with what is available. Give me ingredients and I will figure something out. I usually don’t have fixed recipes and be creative with what I have. Besides food I also know how to make some natural cosmetics, like creams, toothpowder, and sunscreen!

Living in and around forest, I have some experience on identifying wild herbs, plants and fruits. To use them for home remedies, infusions and cooking.

I like to be creative. When it comes to drawing, making jewellery or even cooking, I wouldn’t call myself an artist, but I enjoy doing it and will put my love into it.

Staying busy is easy for me. It's always been a work ethic, professionally and as a volunteer. Its important to relax but when it comes to work I have a good eye on seeing what work has to be done, I’m a responsible and independent worker. Give me a job, and I’ll do it. If I’m not sure, I’ll ask questions. I like to feel useful. It’s hard for me to stay in a place where nobody lets me help out, even if I’m a guest.

Age

36

What else ...

Some things that make me happy: Community life, the ocean ánd the mountains, good food (don’t make me choose between sweet or salty, and I love desert!), eating together, swimming in the sea, feeling the earth of the garden with my bare hands, see my veggies grow, create a beautiful plate, chill in the hammock, listen to a nice reggae tune, having a dance with the sun on my face, seeing our dog running through the field, the feeling I really learned something, to see the ambition of my partner , being surrounded by good people, new adventures...

Some things that makes me sad: Pollution, bad communication, no respect for human or animal life.

On volunteering: I have no ambition to focus on making money, and I'm happy to collaborate with a project that can use the help. As far back as I can remember, I've been a volunteer.

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
  At home I am vegan, when I travel I am vegetarian. I don't eat meat or fish but I don't mind if people around me eat it. I also have no problem with cooking my own food if it's too complicated to cook vegetarian.