Help finish a DIY project and experience island community life on the shores of Lake Huron, Canada

Infos

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  Description

  I'm a laid-back, worldly, middle-aged, immigrant, big-city ex-pat who thrives on stimulating conversation and make a mean cup of coffee. I live in a small, remote and beautiful community on Manitoulin Island (yeah, the one of "the world's largest fresh-water island" fame :-)), located off the shores of Lake Huron.
  
  My home is a 100 year old church, located in the centre of our town, about 150 meters from the beach.
  
  My project is pretty simple: I need some assistance finishing up my renovation - remaining tasks include many, but minor, indoor finishing projects, landscaping and painting the entire (well, almost the entire) exterior of the building .
  
  For covidy reasons, at the time of writing, we won't be able to share meals, but I'm happy to provide the stuff it takes to cook up something tasty (I'm largely vegetarian) .
  
  Manitoulin means spirit island in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language). The island is considered sacred by the Native Anishinaabe people, who are the original settlers on these lands. That the island is indeed spirited is something which most who live here can all agree on - there is an undeniable energy that is rare and most residents are grateful to to live here. The island can be accessed via ferry from the south or the one-lane swing-bridge from the north.
  
  Aside from super-friendly, helpful locals (known as Haweaters), our village features hiking trails, a 2 km long, sandy beach along a sandy-bottomed bay with crystal clear water - I am in the water on days when weather permits (I have a kayak which I will gladly lend you if you are also a "water-baby"). Our bay and beach is home to a variety of fitness equipment, lots of rocky shoreline, beautiful boardwalks and a river. Original old houses line the streets ( a total of 4 running N/S and 3 running E/W) and we have a small marina, along with conveniences such as a hip coffee-shop/art store, home-cooked take-out, an ice-cream shop, weekly outdoor concerts and farmers' markets on the boardwalk and a fish-n-chips stand. All within a 15-second to 2-minute walk from our front door.
  
  On the island in general, you will find much natural beauty - great for hiking, fishing, bicycling, swimming, water-sports etc; several indigenous reserves that are host to a number of pow-wows (some open to outsiders), museums, art-galleries, a tonne of hiking trails, charming old villages and small towns, a couple of micro-breweries, a thriving arts and permie-community and (pandemic pending, of course) many summer festivals - music, home-comings, fairs etc. as well as a weekly, local newspaper.
  
  If small town living and easy access to Northern nature is your thing, let's talk 😊

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Entretien général
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  I am an immigrant myself and will readily share of my experience with you. There are also several indigenous communities nearby where you can learn more about original Canadian culture.

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  Aide

  My project is pretty simple: I need some help finishing up my renovation - remaining tasks include many, but minor, indoor finishing tasks, landscaping and exterior painting.
  
  The camper in which you will live also needs a little bit of work - specifically, the floor needs to come out and be replaced. Everything else in it is totally fine.
  
  You should have some physical strength and general handyman skills & experience.
  
  I'm also pretty flexible, so if you prefer to work 2.5 days in a row, or one full week on followed by one full week off or some other combination that works well for us both. I'd be completely open to suggestions.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Danish: Courant
  Anglais: Courant
  Allemand: Intermédiaire
  Norwegian: Intermédiaire
  Russe: Débutant
  Swedish: Débutant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  I have a degree in Linguistics as well as Slavic languages and literature. In addition, I freelance as a teacher of and translator between my mother tongue and English. My understanding of and fascination with languages, how they work and how they are learned is significant and I am happy to share of it. In addition, as a true polyglot, I love learning new languages, or smatterings thereof.
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  Hébergement

  Stay in a neat, retro (original 1980's) 22', self-contained (full kitchen & bath) fifth-wheel camper, set in a private location on my lot. You will also have access to laundry and wi-fi.

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  Autres infos...

  There is no public transport on Manitoulin. Within reason, I will transport you as necessary and I also have a bicycle that you may borrow.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  My Wi-Fi is fine and easily shared. I do work from home, but since translating is the name of my work-from-home game, it doesn't take up much bandwidth.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  I have massive parking-lot as part of my property so bring whatever size camper-van/motor-home you got!

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  As long as your pet is polite, friendly and non-destructive, it is welcome.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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