Jeff

Travel information

I am currently

Description

UPDATE: I will be traveling to Europe this fall, arriving to France, end of September 2024. I welcome position inquiries.

I grew up in the American Midwest in a sprawling, industrial community along the Mississippi river. As the youngest of six children born to first generation Italian-American parents, I always felt different from the others. I was artistic and sensitive and curious and shy and dissatisfied. Shortly after completing university, where I studied art and literature, I set off for San Francisco--a young artist hungry for experiences in a more stimulating, culturally rich environment--and I lived there for the next 25 years. Within that time, I wrote four creative works of literature, dozens if not hundreds of songs, and co-founded a band as the lyricist/vocalist and principal songwriter. My life has been dedicated to the pursuit of art, from the visual to the musical to the literary, which to me is closely aligned with a spiritual vocation. A creative life is a spiritual life in my mind, and just like that young artist who struck off for San Francisco so many years ago, I am still hungry to experience more of what the world has to offer, especially Europe. Perhaps it's merely in my blood, both sets of grandparents having come from Italy, but I feel overwhelmingly drawn to Europe. Again, just like the boy who felt different from the others, I still feel that way but on a much broader scale, as if I am indeed displaced within the wrong culture. I long for a simple, more authentic life, for a culture more aesthetically and internally aware. This is why I applied for (and recently received!) dual Italian citizenship, for which I was eligible by descent through my grandparents. I intend to return to Europe soon to experience more extensively the cultures and people there, but this time, through Workaway, on a more intimate level. I'm looking forward to meeting and working closely with future hosts and fellow workers/travelers. I'm looking forward to learning from and sharing with you. I hope to be an asset and friend to all who extend the generosity of opening their homes to me, as well as those who I may encounter along the way. I am particularly interested in painting, renovation, vineyard, harvesting, cheese-making, English tutoring/proof reading/editing, and art/craft related positions, but I am open to working in various capacities. The emphasis for me is to learn new skills and languages, especially Italian and French, and make contacts that may help lead to income-based employment. My intention is to try to transition to a new life in Europe as a new EU citizen.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I have been studying French on my own for many years, and I feel like I have a good grasp of the basics, but I'm struggling to progress. I would very much like to learn to at least approach conversational level. And Italian I feel I must come to terms with because it is the language of my blood and new citizenship. Unfortunately, I am an absolute beginner in Italian and so welcome any and all help in learning and improving.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Hospitality/Tourism

Charity Work

Teaching

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Some knowledge of:  

Gardening

DIY and building projects

General Maintenance

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Animal Care

Languages

Art Projects

More details about your skills

Aside from artistic (drawing, painting, photography) and writing skills, I am a professional art handler/installer. I am good with my hands in many ways. I can do most things, outside of electrical and plumbing. I am very good at interior/exterior painting. I have a lot of experience in this area. I can cook fairly well, do light carpentry, and have some knowledge of gardening, but absolutely welcome the opportunity to learn from others who possess stronger abilities to deepen my skill set. I want to learn and improve as much as possible. I'm conscientious about my work, and strive to do the tasks and projects right to mutual satisfaction. I've included photos of interior painting work I've done as a sample of my skills in that capacity.

Age

58

What else ...

I'm very interested in cuisine. I would like to learn about local foods and dishes. I am also interested in life-styles that live closely with the earth, and spiritual practices, but I love urban culture and activity too. So cities, and/or small villages near a city would be ideal for me. I have also received covid vaccination and booster.

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
  no