Eliza

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hi! I'm Eliza, and I love to work outside. Being from a small island on the northeastern tip of the US, I spent much of my childhood playing in the mud, snow, and ocean.

The first 6 months of this year, I travelled through Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. In Mexico, I spent time in Oaxaca City, where I ate the some of the most incredible food and witnessed incredible art, living and historic; and Mazunte, where I assisted in a bio construction project for 2 weeks, using natural materials to build cabin walls for future Workawayers. In Argentina, I experienced the bustle, spirit, and soul of Buenos Aires and the tranquil dirt roads of Chapadmalal. In Santiago, Chile, I experienced the multiculturalism and fascinating political history in the city (country, too). I also Workawayed at the most incredible hostel, where guests and volunteers alike were .

Each Workaway experience brought me closer to myself. While spending time hostel hopping through different cities gave me the great privilege meeting other travelers, it doesn't compare to the special feeling of I being received with such warm, welcoming arms of somewhere I'll spend a period of time 'living'. Arms that shared stories, meals, music, laughs, late night card games, freshly harvested zucchini, surf lessons, karaoke--life itself. Getting to live with and befriend people from all over the world, learning so much from many kind-hearted humans. Each place was so hard to leave in it's own remarkable and beautifully unique way.

Prior to my travels, I lived in the Northern Sierras in California and worked as a ski instructor in the winters. The most special part of my job was getting to share the wonder of the snow, and the outdoors, with curious minds, shining with creativity.

In between my travels. I live on the island that I'm originally from. I spend my time commercial lobster fishing with my brother, and working as a carpenter. Fishing takes grit, it's fast paced and requires focus and precision. But it's thrilling and rewarding, and I love the physicality of it and being outside on the water all day. I also love to read, hike, swim, surf, and listen to music. A life goal of mine is to learn how to play the drums!

In this bout of travels, I'm looking to learn more about sustainability and self sufficiency, and generally curious to learn any sort of new skills-- sourdough baking, sewing/mending, preserving foods, herbalism, traditional medicine, tai chi, etc! I'm thrilled to be able to have the opportunity to travel again. I look forward to connecting :)

Interests

Culture

Sustainability

Pets

LGBTQ

Politics / Social justice

Music

Books

Animals

Yoga / Wellness

Nature

Beach

Dancing

Sailing / Boating

Mountain

Winter sports

Outdoor activities

Hiking

Cycling

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate

More details about my language interests
I studied Spanish in college and have been lucky enough to practice across Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico. I don't have extensive experience teaching English, however.

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Charity Work

Art Projects

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Some knowledge of:  

Light gardening

Babysitting and creative play

Animal Care

Hospitality/Tourism

Teaching

House & pet sitting

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Able to teach about:  

Languages

More details about your skills

- Education: I have experience as a Lead Camp Counselor, ski instructor, swim instructor, and babysitter. I am passionate about outdoor and place based education, and committed to nurturing safe and inclusive learning spaces.
- Customer service: I have ample experience in customer service, starting at age 16 when I began working at a pizza restaurant. I have continued working in service since. Between coffee shops, restaurants, and a rent payment platform, I have developed strong interpersonal skills and ability to meet customer needs.
- Restoration/farm work: I have spent time on multiple different ranches doing restoration work and farm chores––whether that be ripping up/installing irrigation, watering plants, harvesting plants, or recording data. I am familiar with farming tools and practices.

Age

26

What else ...

I am originally from a small island in Maine. I spent my childhood playing in tidepools, looking at starfish, building fairy houses, and gawking at moss. I feel most myself when I am outside, breathing fresh air, spending time with the trees or next to the ocean. Slow winters meant lots of time to read, which continues to be one of my favorite hobbies. Being from an island, the smell of salty air feels like home.
I have recently come to understand the importance of connection to the place that we are in education. I have great interest in philosophies such as Reggio Emilia, Place Based Education, Waldorf, and montessori. I have seen firsthand how having a deeper understanding and curiosity for our surroundings creates lifelong learners, connection, and community. Something we all need in an age of disconnection.
Despite my deep connection with the ocean, I have spent the last three years in a small town in the Sierras, in Northern California. Here, I spend a lot of time exploring the rugged, snow-capped mountains. I enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, trail running, and hiking. I really value openness, kindness, acceptance, and inclusivity.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements