Merel

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

Permaculture, Surf, Natural building, Local life, Spanish.

Description

----------- update March 2024 -----------
I will be in Nicaragua from the /- 10th of March on and looking for a nice place to stay for about 4 weeks. I really would really like to live to more local life in a small village near the sea or in the mountains.

Main interests: Surf, Skate, Permaculture, improve Spanish, hospitality & learn from the locals about their way of living.

--------- update December 2023 ---------

I will be in Costa rIca from Januari 15th on.

After completing the Permaculture design course and food forest course (both By Douglas Bullock & Helder Valente @ Sao Miguel, Azores), something really triggered me, a spark flew and a light went on in me. I have found a great enthusiasm for everything within permaculture. Growing your own fruit and vegetables, making your own natural products, but also especially natural building appeals to me very much. That is why I would like to discover more and gain experience through practice with organic farming, energy generation and conservation, water filtering and various natural construction techniques.
Is this something you could use a hand with? Then don't hesitate to send me a message!

----------------

Hi there,

I am Merel, a 29-year-old Dutchy from The Netherlands. I've spent my time studying and working in dentistry, always trying to balance work and life. Whenever I could, I took breaks to travel to interesting places, experience different cultures, try new foods, and enjoy the beauty of nature. I've always loved nature, animals, and beautiful landscapes, and these experiences have made my life richer.

For the past 11 years, I've lived in Amsterdam, a busy and lively city where I have many friends and happy memories. Life in the city can be fast and hectic, but lately, I've been feeling a strong desire to get closer to nature. I've been thinking more about where our food comes from and how it's produced and transported. So, I've decided to learn about permaculture, syntropic agriculture and agro-forestry.

To start my new journey, I'm taking a course in Permaculture Design in The Azores, and my plan is to use what I learn on a nearby farm. This will not only help the farm owners but also give me practical experience. Who knows, maybe one day I'll even design my own piece of paradise!

Interests

Languages

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

More details about my language interests
I would love to improve my Spanish & (Brazilian) Portuguese.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Gardening

Languages

Life at a Farmstay

Creating/ Cooking family meals

DIY and building projects

Eco Projects

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

More details about your skills

I've always been drawn to practical solutions that involve hands-on work. I enjoy creating things through logical thinking and developing technical skills. Friends often refer to me as the ‘handywoman’, even though I lack any training or education in mechanics, gardening, or whatsoever. I find joy in repairing things at home and assisting friends with moving or renovating their homes. I'm known for my resourcefulness, and I seem to have a talent for picking up new skills quickly.


Below, I've taken a moment to share some experiences that mean a lot to me. I hope this offers you a glimpse of who I am, what I cherish, and what brings a huge smile to my face.

For the past six years, I've been working as a dentist. However, I increasingly feel a strong desire to reconnect more with nature. Earlier this year I started to volunteer one day a week at an organic dairy farm. My primary responsibilities involve taking care of the cows, pigs, chickens, cats, and dogs. This includes tasks like cleaning the stables, feeding the animals, and gathering eggs from the chickens. I'm also involved in activities such as mowing the grass, counting the cattle in the fields, moving the cows, and assisting with cheese production. Occasionally, I lend a hand at the farm store where they sell their milk, cheese, meat, eggs, and various other products from local organic farms. Being active in nature and spending time with animals has filled me with a great deal of energy, tranquility, and inner peace.

In my final years of dental school, I joined a volunteer project in East Java, Indonesia. We lived in a small village where they had never seen a dentist before. Our goal was simple: improve oral health. But we didn't stop at dentistry. We taught first aid, helped build a school, gave English lessons, and launched a sustainability project to help the village recycle, manage waste, and access clean water. Every year, for a month, we poured our hearts into this project, and it grew. Sadly, the pandemic paused our efforts, but we're hopeful it will continue.

For my master's in dentistry, I headed to Brazil to study. My mission was to understand how the dental health of 4-12-year-old kids related to their overall well-being. What I found was that good dental health significantly influenced their quality of life. This experience made me realise the importance of nutrition, education, and personal hygiene.

Around 3 years ago, I took a break from dentistry for five months to chase a dream: sailing across the Atlantic Ocean. I joined a 39' Catamaran (Seawind 1190) as part of the four-man crew and made that dream come true, sailing from Gran Canaria to Martinique. We relied solely on wind power throughout the journey, except when entering or leaving ports. It took us 3.5 weeks for the crossing. Afterward, I got to enjoy an extended stay in Bonaire, indulging in one of my greatest passions: kitesurfing.

Age

29

What else ...

What I love:
- Surf
- Nature and animals
- Local life
- Activities and adventure sports
- Kitesurfing, surfing and (free)diving
- Openness and profound conversations
- Developing my creativity (drawing, painting)
- Personal development and growth
- Keeping things simple, sustainable and downsized.



What I aim for:
- Acquire knowledge/skills in perma-culture, syntropic agriculture, agro-forestry
- Develop my Spanish & Portuguese speaking skills
- Improve my surfing skills and learn freediving
- Outdoor experiences like hiking, climbing and bushcraft
- Playing a musical instrument, such as guitar or piano
- The art of cooking with locally sourced ingredients


I'm happiest outdoors. Being with friendly people who enjoy discussing different ideas and dreams. I value genuine connections and meaningful conversations, but I also like to keep things light, fun and witty.

Some more information

• 

  Smoker

• 

  Driver's licence

• 

  Allergies
  No

• 

  Special dietary requirements
  No