blairandtyson

Canada
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Travel information

We are currently

Travelling

Our next destination:
Philippines
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Description

We are an enthusiastic, open-minded, and outgoing couple from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. We like to do workaway placements when we travel to learn more about local culture, meet new people, and give a helping hand where needed.

We are both native English speaking teachers. Tyson is a teacher with extensive English teaching experience including 2 years teaching English as as second language in South Korea. He is currently teaching adult-education. Blair has taught kids aged 11-14 how to use woodworking tools and machines to make beginner level wood crafts. Now she coordinates work-experience placements for college students.

-Both of us are able-bodied and have basic construction experience including painting, dry-walling, framing, detailed finishing work, and repair work. We are skilled working with hand tools and power tools.

-We enjoy working with children of all ages as well as adults and senior citizens.

-We both enjoy the outdoors including hiking, swimming, surfing, and gardening.

-Tyson has built and installed wine cellars professionally, done framing and construction on small guesthouses, decks, and docks, completed landscaping projects and owned a professional residential painting business.

-Tyson is a certified beekeeper with 3 years of experience.

-Tyson enjoys singing and playing guitar (cover songs and originals)

-Both of us have worked in the retail sales and restaurant industry as a waiter/waitress.

- Blair really enjoys gardening and is happy to do lawn and garden maintenance.

-Tyson has owned a motor scooter, currently rides a motorcycle and also has motorcycle experience from driving through Vietnam.

-Tyson also has PADI advanced open-water diving certification.

Thanks for looking at our profile! Please contact us if you think we would be a good fit for you.
Languages spoken

English: Fluent
Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn

We're interested in:

Light gardening

Creative DIY projects

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Helping around the house

Charity Work

Art Projects

Being an elderly companion

Some knowledge of:

Babysitting and creative play

Light maintenance

Hospitality/Tourism

Animal Care

Able to teach about:

Languages

Teaching
More details about your skills

Teaching, carpentry, general maintenance, musician, surfing, scuba diving, gardening, cooking, cleaning, sharing ideas, kind, friendly
Age

39 & 36
What else ...

.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

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Feedback

28 Jan 2020

Left by host (Discover life, help teaching ...) for Workawayer ()

Tyson and Blair are excellent workawayers, two weeks of staying together, they have us a wonderful day, they help me not only teaching in the class room but also work in the garden, Tyson and Blair are hard working, they have well prepared before working. Moreover, teaching technique is also covered full on what they have done. I am sure if you … read more

(Excellent )

21 Jan 2020

Left by Workawayer () for host (Discover life, help teaching ...)

Long story short: We had a very enjoyable relaxing time over 2 weeks teaching fun students and getting to know a great Lao family!

Peter and his family gave us a complete Loas experience. They were very friendly, welcoming, and generous. Peter was always genuine and his enthusiasm made him a pleasure to be around and work with. His parents don't … read more speak much English but his dad was always smiling and joking with us. At meal time his mom always told us "eat all!" and was happy to let us watch her prepare meals we had never seen before. You will definitely eat traditional rural Lao food with the family! However, they were very considerate and made more typical food if they thought we wouldn't enjoy what they had made. Mr. Kar was also happy to help us with anything and it was fun to teach him uncommon English phrases and slang.

The students vary in behaviour. The young ones can be a distracted and uninterested at times but the older students in the evening class really give their all and listen well. If you are a professional teacher who has never taught ESL, be prepared that the teaching approach and material is probably very different than you're used to (ie: lots of repetition, low continuity or minimal context provided) but the lessons are easy enough and we usually had a Lao speaking teacher with us to translate or explain if needed. If you have never taught, you'll probably have a blast, just be prepared that sometimes you will need to explain complicated grammar rules that you have never thought about as a native English speaker. Overall, we enjoyed the work aspect and the hours from 4-8pm were totally manageable.

As some other reviews have stated, Laksao is a pretty small place and Peter's house is about 2km out from the main town hub. We spent all of our free time during the day relaxing in the hammock, exercising, or reading (napping ;) ). The family provided lunch and dinner and we went to the market (12 minute walk away) to get fruit or soup for breakfast. The hot springs/cool springs mentioned in the profile are 30-40km away. If possible buy or rent a motorbike before you come, or just be prepared to relax and be entertained by watching the chickens lay eggs!

If you're lucky, there will be a wedding while you're there. Peter took us to a wedding at the venue across the street and we had a great time drinking unlimited beer, Lao party style! A great experience.

Thanks, Peter and Kar for a great experience we won't soon forget. Best of luck in the future with LLCC!

(Excellent )

4 Jan 2020

Left by host for Workawayer ()

It was great to have Blair join us for a last minute opening in December. She was willing to help with whatever task was presented and always had a positive attitude and smile to share. Wonderful to meet you and I hope our paths cross again....maybe back in the Peg...

(Excellent )

23 Dec 2019

Left by Workawayer () for host (Add your artistic footprint ...)

Wow! Jenny is a fabulous host who offered a BEAUTIFUL space to be working and living in, ample food, a comfortable mattress, good wi-fi and clean living. She is an interesting person who has turned her property into a fantasy with beautiful structures, landscaping, and a pool! I felt like I was staying at a 10 star resort and was so happy to be … read more

(Excellent )

14 Dec 2019

Left by host (Join our eco-project and ...) for Workawayer ()

Tyson and Blair were very easy to work with. Both grasped the tasks at hand with both hands and did all tasks that were set to a high standard. Tyson was instrumental in designing and building a beautiful couch/ sofa combo from recycled wood. It's located in my best apartment, so needed to be good and Tyson didn't disappoint. Blair always has a … read more

(Excellent )

10 Dec 2019

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join our eco-project and ...)

Long story short: awesome work away experience. Would definitely recommend.

Michael was a fantastic workaway host and we thoroughly enjoyed our time at his place! Before we arrived communication was quick and clear and he offered to help us arrange transportation from the airport. We were really pleased to have a spacious private room with … read more

(Excellent )

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