Paula

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

Seeking long-term stay: yoga, rural/agrotourism, animals, farming, gardening, growing vegetables, cooking, cleaning, childcare. Keen to learn: sound therapy, massage, natural remedies & cosmetics.

Description

Hi, I’m Paola 🌿🪷

Thanks for stopping by my profile!

Originally from Brazil, I’ve been living and working in Europe for around 30 years. Currently in Italy.

I’m 54, independent, curious and very keen to learn new things and discover where life takes me next.

I’m an English teacher with 25 years’ experience and a qualified Hatha yoga teacher, with around 700 hours of training in Rishikesh, India, including pranayama, meditation and mantra.

Yoga is still very important to me and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my practice after a couple of years. I’m also increasingly interested in Ayurveda, massage and bodywork, sound healing, medicinal herbs and natural wellbeing. I’d particularly love to learn practical massage/bodywork from people with real experience.

🌱 What I can offer

I’m a practical all-rounder and happy to help with:

children · English · animals · gardening · cooking · housekeeping · guest hospitality · reception · organising · retreats · yoga & wellbeing · general practical work

I’m hardworking, reliable and proactive. I’m the sort of person who notices something that needs doing and just gets on with it without waiting to be asked.

Fair warning, though: if you don’t want me reorganising your kitchen pantry, labelling everything and creating a system you never knew you needed, you may need to tell me beforehand! 😂

I’m also creative and full of ideas. I love photography and have a good eye for atmosphere and possibilities, although I’m definitely nowhere near a "photographer".

I learn quickly, don’t mind getting my hands dirty and genuinely enjoy being useful.

🌿 What I’m looking for

I’m looking for something longer-term — ideally several months — rather than a short tourist experience.

I’m particularly drawn to families, farms, animals, gardens, agroturismi, guesthouses, rural hospitality, yoga/Ayurveda and wellness projects.

I’d love to find somewhere I can contribute what I already know while learning something new — especially massage, Ayurveda and deepening my yoga practice.

I’m independent and appreciate having my own space, but I also enjoy good company, shared meals, conversations, laughter and doing things together.

I love nature and quiet rural life, but I also love music, dancing, ecstatic dance, raves and a good party.
At 54, though, I tend to feel more at home around people of different ages and life experiences than in a predominantly young backpacker environment.

🌍 A little more about me

I speak English, Spanish and Portuguese, and my Italian is improving all the time.

I’m pescatarian and enjoy simple, homemade food.

I love animals, children, nature, swimming, walking, cycling, horse riding, reading, cooking, travelling, music and learning.

Give me something meaningful to do, nature and something new to learn, and I’m happy.

If you think we might be a good match, I’d love to hear from you. 🌿

Interests

Hiking

Writing

Fitness

Camping

Beach

Sailing / Boating

Animals

Van life

Charity work

Yoga / Wellness

Vegetarian or vegan

Sustainability

Self development

Nature

Outdoor activities

Pets

Photography

Plant care

Music

Movies & TV

Mountain

Languages

Farming

Gardening

Dancing

DIY & crafts

Culture

Books

Cooking & food

Languages

Languages spoken
Spanish: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Italian: Intermediate

More details about my language interests
I can teach English and/or Spanish, in exchange for French or Italian.

Find a language partner

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Art Projects

Eco Projects

Life at a Farmstay

Being an elderly companion

Charity Work

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Some knowledge of:  

Light gardening

Animal Care

Babysitting and creative play

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Languages

Teaching

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

House & pet sitting

More details about your skills

Language teaching and learning – Experienced English teacher; happy to help with language practice, conversation or informal lessons, and always keen to learn new languages myself.

Childcare & creative play – I grew up in a big family and, as the eldest, was always surrounded by children. My mum and aunties ran a nursery in Brazil, and after school I would go there to help both in the classroom and during playtime. I loved telling and inventing stories, playing, foraging, making “nature art” and exploring with the children. I also have extensive babysitting experience, both for family and friends and as paid childcare before becoming an English teacher.

Animal care & connection – I’ve had pets all my life and naturally connect with animals. I’m attentive, gentle and genuinely enjoy caring for them. I also have experience caring for farm animals.

Horses – I have a real passion for horses and have had the opportunity to care for them daily during a Workaway on a horse ranch, including feeding, grooming, cleaning, riding and general daily care. I’d love to learn much, much more about horses and their care.

Gardening & plants – I love working with plants and being outdoors. While I’m still learning, I’m motivated, observant and happy to help with gardening, planting, growing vegetables and general land care.

Cooking – A confident, intuitive cook. Nothing fancy, but I’m very good at creating tasty, nourishing meals with whatever is available — and people usually love the results.

Yoga & wellbeing – Qualified yoga teacher, trained in India. Yoga and meditation are an important part of my life, and I’m happy to share yoga if it interests my hosts. I’m also very interested in learning more about holistic practices, especially sound therapy, massage, natural remedies, herbs, oils and natural cosmetics.

Creativity & hands-on projects – Creative and artistic, with a growing interest in chalk painting, upcycling furniture and simple decorative or restoration projects.

Age

54

What else ...

I tend to thrive in quieter, smaller settings rather than large group environments. I work best when tasks are clear and I’m especially comfortable working independently or one-to-one, particularly with animals, children within a family, or hands-on projects. I appreciate clear routines, a peaceful environment and mutual respect, while being very happy to adapt to the rhythm and needs of the household. I’m looking for a genuine long-term experience where I can become part of everyday life, contribute reliably and build a good relationship with my hosts.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  no

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  Special dietary requirements
  vegetarian/pescatarian