Alexandria

United States
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
Activities i am interested in:
I live in Madrid and love kickboxing, Zumba, padel, walking about, and surfing. I'm active in a book club as well as history club. With friends, I like to play board games. Reading and writing too!
My next destination:
Spain
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Description
Hi! I'm Alex, 40, originally from the USA but now have EU long-term residency as I've been an English teacher in Spain since September 2011. I began a sabbatical year in September 2023, travelling and workawaying in Greece and the Iberian peninsula. I am passionate about learning and enthusiastic to participate in new experiences. I'm particularly eager to be involved with projects dealing with permaculture, improving animal welfare, and overall helping our planet.

Hola, soy Alex de eeuu. Tengo 40 años y he vivido en Madrid desde Septiembre 2011, enseñando inglés y aprendiendo español. Empecé mi año de excedencia en septiembre 2023, viajando y haciendo workaways in Grecia y la península ibérica. Soy apasionada de aprendizaje y tengo muchas ganas de participar en experiencias nuevas. Tengo ganas de encontrar proyectos de permacultura, mejorando la vida de animales, y ayudando el planeta. Tengo residencia de larga duración en España y la UE!

Hallo, ik heet me Alex, 40, en ik kom uit de VS. Ik heb in Spanje voor 12 jaar gewoond omdat ik een Engelse lerares ben. Ik zoek workaway over permacultuur, verbeteren het leven van dieren, en de planeet. Ik heb een visum voor lange tijd en Spanje y de EU.
Interests
Yoga / Wellness
Vegetarian or vegan
Van life
Writing
Water sports
Sustainability
Self development
Sailing / Boating
Plant care
Pets
Outdoor activities
Nature
Music
Mountain
Languages
History
Hiking
Gardening
Fitness
Farming

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Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Dutch: Intermediate
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Gardening
Eco Projects
Art Projects
Charity Work
DIY and building projects
Some knowledge of:
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Able to teach about:
Languages
Teaching
More details about your skills
In addition to teaching English, I love to bake and cook, and create fun projects for children. I've taken a sailing course and would love to improve those skills. I think I'm highly motivated, patient, and able to bring enthusiasm to the projects I participate in. I love to do manual crafts, particularly embroidery.

Además de enseñando inglés, me encanta hornear, bordar, y hacer proyectos de arte. He hecho un curso de navegación y me encantaría mejorar mis habilidades. Soy muy motivada, paciente, y siempre llevo entusiasmo.
Age
40
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Hay fever in springtime
- Special dietary requirements
  I prefer veggie/vegan friendly but also eat what I'm provided as I hate food waste!

Feedback

2 May 2024

Left by Workawayer (Alexandria) for host (Help us develop our alpaca ...)

If you have the ability to come and do a workaway with Lauren and Tony, then seize it! I've spent the last three weeks with them, their nine alpacas, and cat Mickey. The time there has flown, with lots of laughs and learning to fill the days.

The alpacas are not early risers, so you can calmly eat your breakfast, drink coffee, and get ready… read more before you head out to check on them. The barns need to be cleaned daily as well as giving the alpacaniños their brekky. Once the barns were cleaned and prepped, we would do other tasks, such as weeding or ensuring the paddocks were clean. I was fortunate to have mostly sunny, or at most, cloudy days to work.

I arrived without much knowledge about alpacas and now know so much about them! It's been great to absorb so much information about their diets, needs, and daily life. I got to know them as puffs of fluff with their winter coats and was present the day they were sheared. Before we had to make sure they didn't overheat on those sunny, warm days. Now they look quite different and have to keep checking on them to ensure they are warm during the cooler nights. Lauren and Tony love their alpacaniños and their attention to their wellbeing is admirable. Each alpaca has their own personality and it was a lot of fun getting to know them and their quirks. They are sweet, intelligent animals that keep themselves clean and unlike other animals, their poop really doesn't stink! I'm going to miss hanging out with them.

I also helped Lauren cook, and they were very accommodating to make sure I enjoyed my meals and that I had a vegetarian option available if I desired. We ate a variety of foods and made sure I was full and satisfied. In our spare time, we would sit around and chat, play board games, and did an online pub quiz one night. On days off, we would go on trips to neighboring cities or beaches. I got to see quite a bit of the Lugo area as well as Santiago de Compostela. They are well connected with the local community and I got to meet a number of neighbors during my time there. You definitely get a multi-cultural exchange as I got to deepen my understanding of British and Gallego culture.

If you are lucky enough to visit them, i would recommend you bring slippers or house shoes for colder nights. They provide you with all the tools you will need for the jobs, but make sure you bring appropriate clothing for warm days as well as cold and rainy days since Gallego weather changes quickly and dramatically. Lauren and Tony go out of their way to make sure you feel comfortable and at home, always checking in to make sure you are comfortable with the tasks and taking a break with a cold drink. When it was sunny out and we had a moment in the afternoon, it was lovely to sit in the paddock and admire the landscape with the alpacas.

It was such an honor to work with Lauren and Tony on making their dream become a reality. It's hard work for them and I'm happy I was able to help and try to ease the load. We are already planning on meeting again in June and I look forward to the next time I'm on the farm with them, Braun, Goofy Charlie, Monty, Olaf, Queen Tuppence, Maple, Marmalade, Petal, Charlotte, Baby Alpaca, and Mickey!! Graciñas por todo!!

(Excellent )

20 Mar 2024

Left by host (Developing a food forest / ...) for Workawayer (Alexandria)

Energy, that's what you feel when Alexandria (Alex) arrives at our estate. A feisty lady who, like most Americans, has
difficulty keeping her mouth shut. An all-rounder, easy to deal with people and animals. Sporty and challenging, she
doesn't turn down any opportunity and quickly picks up various equipment such as the brush cutter, chainsaw and… read more

(Excellent )

19 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Alexandria) for host (Developing a food forest / ...)

I have learned and done so much during my time here at Patty and Hans' (but the real boss is Floydtje, their sweet dog)! I'm very grateful I could stay here.

After breakfast, Patty or Hans would show the other workawayer and myself the task to be done. We worked on weeding, creating terraces for the plants, constructing "vineyards" for the grapes… read more

(Excellent )

5 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Alexandria) for host (Construct, Paint and Cook for ...)

I have really enjoyed the last week and a half at this workaway! During my time there, I met amazing creative people who really inspire me to be more artistic and expressive. The meals we shared together were on a professional level of delicious as well as nutritious. I loved these moments of eating and talking together.

After a communal… read more

(Excellent )

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Friends

Photos

Going to the thermal springs with my workaway buddy!

I wish I were an octopus to give all the scratches they deserve

Perks of the workaway is having cute coworkers

Brushing the good boys and girls of ARCA

Building a kiwi terrace in Valdeviño

Working on making the temascal in Greece

Spending time with Chap, one of the 100 rescue dogs

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Finishing my competent crew sailing course

All Caminos lead to Santiago

I've been learning how to surf for over two years and I love it!

Feedback

2 May 2024

Left by Workawayer (Alexandria) for host (Help us develop our alpaca ...)

(Excellent )

20 Mar 2024

Left by host (Developing a food forest / ...) for Workawayer (Alexandria)

(Excellent )

19 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Alexandria) for host (Developing a food forest / ...)

(Excellent )

5 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Alexandria) for host (Construct, Paint and Cook for ...)

(Excellent )

15 Feb 2024

Left by Workawayer (Alexandria) for host (Dog lovers paradise in the ...)

I am already trying to plan when I can return. The last three and a half weeks have been filled with so many emotions, from love and happiness to heartbreak and anger. Here I saw the full spectrum of people, from the people we had to rescue the animals from to the people who give their time, energy, and money to the rescued.

We got up between… read more

(Excellent )

12 Dec 2023

Left by host (Creating a permaculture ...) for Workawayer (Alexandria)

Las dos semanas compartidas con Alex nos han hecho descubrir sus grandes cualidades humanas y su enorme simpatía. Alex es muy interesada a la vida rural y tiene muchas ganas de probar y aprender cualquier actividad. Juntas hemos cortado leña, acolchado frutales, desmontado y limpiado un gallinero abandonado desde hace mucho tiempo, pintado muebles… read more

(Excellent )

1 Dec 2023

Left by Workawayer (Alexandria) for host (Creating a permaculture ...)

No puedo decir en palabras mi agradecimiento a Sindy y Marco. He pasado las últimas dos semanas en su paraíso y podía quedar por mucho más tiempo.

Por las mañanas, hicimos cosas en la casa (si hay lluvia) o fuera con el sol. Un día cogimos fruta, otra día estamos limpiando el gallinero. Casi todos los días hacemos algo diferente y aprendí mucho!… read more

(Excellent )

5 Oct 2023

Left by host (Help us get our home and ...) for Workawayer (Alexandria)

Alex was an excellent workawayer and a delight to host! She had a really warm and friendly manner and was adaptable with a positive attitude towards everything.
In our home she was clean, tidy and really respectful and during the work she was resourceful and trustworthy. We could leave her to get on with a task knowing she had good sense and that… read more

(Excellent )

3 Oct 2023

Left by Workawayer (Alexandria) for host (Help us get our home and ...)

I had a lot of fun here for the last eight days. We had sunny as well as rainy weather but we had tasks prepared for both. Annie is really good at keeping track of time to make sure that you don't work more than the five hours. We would go feed the animals before nine, then get down to other jobs. It was never too strenuous and could take a break… read more

(Excellent )

22 Sep 2023

Left by Workawayer (Alexandria) for host (Learn about permaculture and ...)

I've spent the last twelve days there and I was sad to go. During my stay, I spent time gardening (weeding, planting, watering, clearing the land) as well as helped begin a temascal made out of natural materials. We worked hard but had fun the whole time.

I met Greeks and got to learn more about the culture and the history. I got to meet other… read more

(Excellent )

2 Apr 2018

Left by Workawayer (Alexandria) for host (Give me a hand with the day ...)

I had an awesome time here with Angie, Phil, and all the dogs, chickens, and cat. It didn't feel like work because the puppies and dogs kept me happy and laughing the whole time. I'm really thankful for the opportunity to stay with them and help out in my small way. It's inspiring to see someone so dedicated to these animals and you get a lot more… read more

(Excellent )

1 Apr 2018

Left by host (Give me a hand with the day ...) for Workawayer (Alexandria)

Thank you sooooo much Alex for all your help. You were amazing with all the dogs here and especially the puppies. You have the most beautiful personality and i was really sorry to see you leave We really hope to see you again in the future, and we will keep in touch. Be happy in wherever life takes you. You deserve it xxx

(Excellent )

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