Natasha

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Bonjour! My name is Natasha, and I love nature, horses, gardening, hiking and adventures.

One of my greatest joys is meeting other people from around the world, exchanging knowledge, learning new ways of doing things, and also learning about different cultures and making new friends. I try to make the world a better, kinder place, and I get a ton of delight from finding ways to do that.

I am an experienced horseback rider who grew up riding horses in the Alaskan wilderness. I’ve competed in Dressage (USA 2nd Level, and started training for 3rd & 4th), as well as riding Western (including some reining), and riding bareback. I’ve been blessed so far in my travels to get to ride horses in the USA, France, Iceland, and Australia.

Other than horses, I have extensive experience with dogs, cats and chickens, and I'm currently a professional gardener specializing in perennials, roses, and organic gardening (both vegetables and flowers). For 4 years I was the volunteer leader for a livestock program at an organic farm helping children learn to work with cows, pigs, chickens, rabbits, turkeys, sheep and goats. I also have some renovation experience from renovating our 1838 Greek Revival house (including gutting rooms, painting, and refinishing wood floors) and, for over 20 years, I worked as a software quality assurance engineer.

If you have an interest (or a need on your project), feel free to also ask me about my artistic side. I grew up as a child actor in the theater where my father worked professionally, and I have spent a great deal of my life acting, singing, drawing, painting, and writing short stories just for the joy of it.

I have done three work exchanges before and they have all been wonderful. I hope to continue meeting and learning from lovely people around the world and helping them achieve their own hopes and dreams.

My hope for traveling:
Now that my daughter is away at university and my wonderful husband is happy for me to travel, my wish is to travel to France. I studied French a long time ago, and I’m working to learn it again. I would love the chance to improve my French language and comprehension, see the different regions of France in person, and learn about French culture (and maybe some cooking and baking too!) from people who live there.

I hope to meet kind new people, work with animals and gardens, ride horses and care for them, help with needed projects and repairs, and spend time with hosts who love being outdoors and sharing stories and laughter.

Interests

History

Sustainability

Pets

Culture

Farming

Charity work

Writing

Books

Gardening

Performing arts

Drawing & painting

Animals

Yoga / Wellness

Nature

Outdoor activities

Hiking

Languages spoken

English: Fluent
French: Beginner

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Languages

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Some knowledge of:  

Art Projects

Charity Work

Eco Projects

Life at a Farmstay

Creative DIY projects

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Able to teach about:  

Light gardening

Animal Care

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Helping around the house

Babysitting and creative play

More details about your skills

I have experience in:
- Horseback riding and equine care/management
- Organic and conventional gardening
- Animal care for both pets and livestock
- Home renovation, including gutting rooms, painting and refinishing floors
- Teaching children in an outdoor environment with animals
- Running a small non-profit organization
- Organizing community service projects
- Acting, Singing, Painting, Public speaking

Age

56

What else ...

I enjoy reading books and having long, relaxed conversations where I can really get to know people. I love to write stories, paint/draw, sing along with other people, and play board games. My favorite games right now are Catan, Isle of Cats, Carcassonne, and Ticket to Ride. I also like quiet times too where I can explore, be in nature, share time with animals, or simply think.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  Shellfish, Molds

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  Special dietary requirements
  Cannot eat Shellfish (bivalves), or molds (blue cheese).