Profile information
Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Description
Hi! I'm Monika, a Czech living for the last 20 years in the US.
2024 update: mid-2022 I quit my job and I am now traveling with no end date as of yet. Right now (end of May 2024) I'm wrapping up volunteering in Jordan and just bought a ticket to Madagascar - I'm looking for travel buddies to backpack Madagascar with in June 2024 and for 1-3 more people to do a 2-3 week roadtrip in Namibia from about July 24 to Aug 10. Message me if you'd like to join!
I'm an engineer (land surveyor) by profession, but an adventurer, travel addict and people person in my heart.
Since I left Europe I've been living, working and traveling in a number of different environments and as a result value an open mind and respect ways of life different from mine. I'm eternally curious about other people's culture and views of the world. I like my engineering job (and it pays my bills!), but I only truly come alive when traveling, meeting people and learning from others. I realize how lucky I am to be able to do that.
I'm sporty and like to be outside, hike, bike, ski, snowshoe, rollerblade, backpack, camp ... you name it! When I travel, I mostly travel alone by local transport to immerse myself in the environment and meet locals. I do not mind roughing it (30 hour bus rides & cargo boat travel? Yes!) to get to unique places to meet unique people. I love to be social, but also like peaceful, contemplative places. I photograph and used to have my own website, but took it down as I have been too busy to maintain it. But I still photograph and photography remains the biggest passion of my life, right up there with cultural learning and being useful to others.
Interests
Self development
Nature
DIY & crafts
Animals
Adventure sports
Art & design
Cycling
Dancing
Events & social
Music
Sailing / Boating
Photography
Outdoor activities
Languages
Hiking
Fitness
Culture
Camping
Charity work
Books
Beach
Languages
Languages spoken
Czech: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: FluentMore details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Art Projects
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Teaching
Able to teach about:
Languages
More details about your skills
I love challenges and I'm a quick learner. I'm organized with a good eye for detail and ability to throw myself 200% into things I'm passionate about. I'm not afraid of physical labor - I painted houses, cleaned, babysitted, picked strawberries and helped run a cafe as a side job. I do some repair on my car, which I am shamelessly proud of :). My growing up in a small village in rural Bohemia was a good primer for all hands-on things.
I hold a TESOL (Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages) teaching certificate in English, though due to my time-demanding day job I have not used it to formally teach in a classroom setting. I volunteered as a tutor in a city-run English learning program for new immigrants and in the past 5 years I traveled twice to Africa as a volunteer to help build foot bridges over impassable rivers in rural Rwanda with a US nonprofit. Being able to directly use my professional skills for good of others was a truly amazing experience.
Age
52
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
No allergiesSpecial dietary requirements
No special requirements - a happy omnivore!
