Experience cultural exchange with a family in historic Ventabren, France

Detalles

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  Descripción

  I have just opened the 2 months for 1-2 workawayers from Ukraine (nationality doesn't matter!) . I don't need help but I may give shelter to 1-2 people who need roof because of the current situation.
  
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  Hello from Provence! My 13 year old son and I, we live in a charming old townhouse in a beautiful hilltop village in the South of France. We also have a very talkative cat Krakette.
  
  ABOUT US
  We are very international in our family. I was born and raised in Russia, I spent several years in Los Angeles, my son was born in London, and then we came to live in the South of France.
  My son and I speak English, French and Russian.
  The downside of being so international is that the families are away, and I find myself often alone with my son.
  Other then being a single parent most of the time , I just started working university front desk. I am also working on music projects when I can. I love black, acoustic and folklore music, and I sing in a band. I love people, communication, exchange, singing, dancing and yoga.
  
  We are not vegetarian and we eat fish, however we don't have meat in the house, and most of our everyday meals are vegetarian.
  
  My son Maxim is used to switch between the 3 languages, he is curious pretty much about everything - from the way the body works to building a space shuttle. He needs to be challenged physically and intellectually, so every now and then I may use extra hands/ feet and head to do it.
  
  We are friendly and funny (so people say), so there is no way to get bored around us. I am a very calm, open and laid-back person, however I tend to be hectic in my everyday routine, I am not very well organised yet responsible person. I may find my mobile phone in the fridge at times but don't worry I will not forget to meet you at the airport.
  
  Both my son and me, we are positive people, and it is difficult to ruin our mood :) even though I am naturally a very sociable person, I live with a chronic fatigue, and it means I need much more down time then an average person, and doing easy everyday things is sometimes a struggle for me.
  
  We will greatly appreciate your help. The workawayers help so far allowed me to pursue my dream: I just have had some concerts with my new band thanks to the free evenings. I can say that I manage my chronical fatigue much better now with much less “down time’ then before the workaway help as I feel physically and emotionally supported. I have also noticed that my son on whose socialising skills I had to work a lot in the past has now become much more social and articulate thanks to workaway.
  I learned a great deal from people we hosted, and so did my son. Each time we are discovering another person's world without leaving our home, and this is an amazing adventure!

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Proyectos creativos DIY «hazlo tú mismo»

  Cuidado de animales

  Cocinar para toda la familia

  Ayuda doméstica

  Mantenimiento básico
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  Intereses

  

  Vegetariano o vegano

  

  Cultura

  

  Trabajo de caridad

  

  Mascotas

  

  Música

  

  Idiomas

  

  Animales

  

  Yoga / bienestar

  

  Senderismo

  

  Baile

  

  Naturaleza
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Your entrance door opens on a pedestrian street paved with old stones, in a gorgeous small quiet village build on the hill under the ruins of the old castle of queen Jeanne.
  The house is only a short bus ride away from a vibrant and beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence, known for its arts scene, festivals, theaters etc.
  You will live in a typical residential village. You will wake up to the sound of church bells, and the beginning and the end of your day will be marked by the sound of opening and closing wooden shutters of old townhouses all around, and if you are here in winter you will smell the wood burning in fireplaces .
  I will give you the information on the places to visit, and if I am in shape I will be happy to show you around... I will introduce you to the best bread in the city (and according to me - in the world!).
  There are places to jog, to walk, to do yoga or to cycle all around as we live in the countryside, with Mediterranean forest within 7 minutes going up the hill, where you may pick up thyme and rosemary.

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  Ayuda

  This year I am taking a break from work, at least full time work :) to take care of my health, and to prepare for the next chapter in our lives: my son most likely will study in another region starting next year, and I need to move to somewhere colder then Provence, as hot summers don't agree with me anymore :). It means that our beloved home has to find a new family, and we need to get it in the best shape possible.
  
  I am looking for a house fairy who has a gift of organising, who takes one look at the space and knows how to take advantage of it. An aesthete at heart who immediately sees objects that are not on their places. An infectious organiser who enjoys creating order out of chaos. Someone who will be patient with me as I lack those decision making skills to let go of the unnecessary things, but I feel I can overcome it with the right guidance.
  
  It will be an additional bonus in case you like clothes, and can advise me which items to keep: I will be most comfortable doing my catwalk in front of you if you are a female :)
  
  Other than organising I may need your help with cleaning tasks (the house is kept clean overall but there is no limit for perfection) and in case you like cooking - preparing simple meals. Ideally you are into healthy eating.
  
  Perhaps our organising journey will take us to some DYI projects. In case you have experience painting there may be some touch ups here and there.
  
  And while I spend 1 hour looking at this scarf to decide its faith, would you mind helping me with some admin/ errands/ picking up parcels from the post office / grocery shopping?
  
  If you are a good driver with a clean driving license, and are comfortable driving stick shift, I may ask you to drive us (I have currently a problem with my foot).
  
  My mom may come visit us with her adorable golden retriever, who is very kind but pulls a lot. If you happen to be in good physical shape and don't mind helping us during the walks it would be great.
  
  Let's aim at keeping ourselves busy overall 5 hours/day, Mon-Fri?
  
  Depending on my priorities of the moment and your skills, missions may slightly vary.
  
  We may be a good match if:
  
  - you enjoy being around neurodivergent people, and you like cats
  - you are reliable and punctual
  - you love making difference
  - you are warm, friendly, enthusiastic
  - you are empathic, and understand that chronic fatigue sometimes changes plans despite of the best intentions
  - you are flexible and adaptable
  - you enjoy working independently and can take initiative too
  - you are sociable but you also enjoy your private space and independence, and happy to occupy yourself

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  Idiomas hablados

  Inglés: Fluido
  Francés: Fluido
  Ruso: Fluido

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  Alojamiento

  You will have a bedroom in our 300 year old townhouse. There are 2 bathrooms and shower rooms, plenty of space for 2 people. You have an access to hi speed internet and Netflix.

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  Algo más...

  There is really so much that you can do with your time off that I would prefer to hear what is it that you like to do to give you further information on that.
  
  There are plenty of sports that you have access to if you walk for 10 minutes up the hill, such as tennis, stadium, outdoor gym, archery club, skatepark, basketball ground etc. You can practice yoga near a medieval mill 5 min walk away from the house, you may do sketches of the streets of the traditional Provençal village, you may discover the foundation of the ancient settlement, enjoy the panoramic views of the region and mountain Sainte Victoire walking through the Mediterranean forest up the hill, where you may also pick up rosemary and thyme - for the infusion or to cook with.
  
  The beach is within a 40 min car ride. Marseille is within 30 minutes drive, and Avignon - within an hour. The authentic villages of Luberon are within 40 minutes drive… There is too much to see and to discover wherever you go. Many places are accessible by bus and train.
  
  You may take a bus to the centre of Aix-en-Provence, a vibrant city of students, fountains and art.
  If you are an English speaker I will introduce you to our local language exchange group. You may meet friendly locals and improve your French through the language practice.
  
  You will love it here if you appreciate peace, quiet and nature.
  If you want to discover Aix en Provence and its region and appreciate lively environments you may hop on a bus and you are in the center of the city in 20 minutes.
  
  I obviously will be happy to give you a lift if I am going somewhere too, and to include you in our weekend program if possible, even though during weekends I am normally "on duty" between taking care of my son and the house and some projects and just recovering after a week :) I am either extremely busy or extremely tired :))) (perhaps you can imagine, with my condition) and would prefer to host a person who is independent and needs her own space and time, and is happy to make friends in the new place.

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  Un poco más de información

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    Acceso a Internet

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    Acceso a Internet limitado

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    Tenemos animales

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    Somos fumadores

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    Puede alojar familias

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  Puede acoger a nómadas digitales

  We have high speed internet

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Uno

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  Mis animales / mascotas

  

  Krakette

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