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Travel information
We are currently
Travelling
Our next destination:
Province of Asturias, Spain - from Feb 2024 until Dec 2024 View allDescription
We are a hardworking couple, who originally met in Budapest, Hungary in the summer of 2015 while traveling, and we've been on an adventure together ever since! Gijs is a Forest & Nature Conservationist and Nicole is an educator by profession. We are both invested in environmental justice activism and are eager to support community-run/managed, regenerative projects related to the protection of local flora and fauna.
We have been on the Workaway platform for quite some time, backpacking Latin America from Guatemala to Peru from September 2018 until February 2020. When we returned, we spent the better part of three years as live-in caretakers for a Bed & Breakfast in Amsterdam. Here we gained a tremendous amount of experience in running a hotel, as well as in organizing and hosting a variety of social events to support our local community of artists and in operating social media accounts (facebook and instagram, in particular). We also managed and operated a community urban garden attached to the hotel, as well. More recently, we embarked on a more natural experience in South East Asia. There, we spent substantial time in the rainforests and helped out on several local smallholder farms. The last half year, we spent in Catalunya managing a finca and glamping site, while also researching the local environmental and social movements.
After these diverse and enriching experiences, we hope to find a place where we can put down our bags for a longer period and be(come) part of a lasting community of beings. We continuously look forward to forging new friendships, embracing unexpected opportunities, indulging in novel experiences, and immersing ourselves in the cultures of the communities we will help & live in. :)Interests
WritingHistoryCooking & foodBeachPhotographyHikingSustainabilityGardeningCampingVegetarian or veganOutdoor activitiesCyclingBooksAnimalsVan lifePolitics / Social justiceNatureFarmingCultureLanguages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: IntermediateMore details about my language interests
Nicole is a certified TEFL teacher and public school teacher. Gijs is fluent in: English, Dutch, and Spanish (with the ability to teach English)Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn
We're interested in:
Life at a FarmstayEco ProjectsAnimal CareCharity WorkSome knowledge of:
GardeningDIY and building projectsGeneral MaintenanceCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelping around the houseArt ProjectsAble to teach about:
Babysitting and creative playHospitality/TourismLanguagesTeachingMore details about your skills
Nicole: TEFL certified, BS in Elementary Education, Hotel/Restaurant/Hospitality experience, Gardening/Composting experience, some Social Media marketing experience, Strong writer/editor
Gijs: BS in Economics, Business, & Life Science, Masters student of Forest & Nature Conservation, Circular business owner, writer for Wageningen University (Environmental Science), Hotel/Restaurant/Hospitality experience, English teaching experience, Fluent in Dutch, English, SpanishAge
42 & 27
What else ...
We are very passionate about sustainability, food sovereignty, and social/environmental justice.
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
NutsSpecial dietary requirements
Mainly vegetarian / vegan when possible
Feedback
When they stay in your place they are going to do everything with love. We were very confortable resolving needs with a mix of creativity, management… read more
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Feedback
When they stay in your place they are going to do everything with love. We were very confortable resolving needs with a mix of creativity, management… read more
Nicole and Gijs have the Triple R’s. Responsible , Reliable, Respectful !
Great communicators, always keep their room/kitchen clean, self starters, completed their jobs and Are always so positive and fun.
I loved having them around, and will miss them during our sunset… read more
Juan Camilo was very patient, warm, sweet, and kind. He gave us tasks working in the… read more
We stayed three months in Greg's jungle tree camp, with the task to help upkeep the property and prepare the camp for future… read more
It was great getting to know them through out… read more
While we were working at a different workaway at Lake Atitlan, we helped Thilda out for a couple of days renovating the volunteer housing. We were welcomed with open arms and got the chance to meet some of the locals she… read more