Paula

Information de voyage

Actuellement, je suis

Les activités qui m'intéressent :

Seeking long-term stay: yoga, rural/agrotourism, animals, farming, gardening, growing vegetables, cooking, cleaning, childcare. Keen to learn: sound therapy, massage, natural remedies & cosmetics.

Description

I’m a reliable, hardworking and adaptable person who loves nature, animals, children and simple country living. I enjoy becoming part of everyday family life and helping wherever I’m needed.

I’m currently in Parrano, Umbria, Italy, on my final day of a Workaway experience at Eremito, a contemporary hermitage and rural hospitality retreat surrounded by nature. I have worked mainly in housekeeping, but have also helped wherever needed — in the kitchen, garden and dining area, preparing and serving guests and helping with the everyday running of the property. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the opportunity to work in the vegetable garden or look after the chickens, which I would have loved.

I grew up in a big family, and being the eldest meant I was always surrounded by children — my younger cousins, and later my nieces and nephews. Some of my happiest memories are of spending holidays playing in the woods and at the farm my uncle owned. I think this is part of why I have always felt so naturally comfortable around children and love their curiosity, imagination and sense of wonder.

As an English teacher for more than 25 years, I’ve spent my career helping children learn, grow and build confidence. I genuinely enjoy spending time with them and am happy reading stories, playing games, doing arts and crafts (don’t ask me to draw though!), helping with homework, building dens, exploring nature, collecting leaves and feathers, going on little adventures or simply talking about the world. I love creating a happy, relaxed environment where children feel safe, valued and free to be themselves.

I have also had all kinds of pets throughout my life, so I’m very used to animals and genuinely love looking after them. During a Workaway stay in France, I lived and worked on a private horse-breeding ranch where the host bred and sold high-value horses. I helped with their daily care, including feeding, grooming, cleaning and general horse care, and I also rode them. I cooked, gardened, cleaned and helped with general farm work, including some physically demanding jobs. As the host travelled frequently to sell her horses, another Workawayer and I were sometimes left independently looking after the animals and property. I would especially love to work with horses again and learn more about their care.

Animals are one of the things that make me feel most at home. Whether pets or farm animals, feeding them, caring for them and simply spending time with them never feels like work to me.

Cleaning and organising are probably my strongest practical skills. I’m very thorough and genuinely find it satisfying to leave a place spotless and well organised. If you have a chaotic pantry, overflowing cupboards, an attic full of forgotten treasures or years of “I’ll sort that one day”, I may actually be in my element! I love bringing order to spaces and making everyday life easier.

I love being outdoors and don’t mind getting my hands dirty. I enjoy gardening and would particularly love to learn more about growing vegetables, farming, sustainable living and caring for the land. I’m happy to weed, water, plant, harvest and help with general garden or farm work.

I enjoy cooking simple, homemade meals, especially for other people. Baking isn’t one of my strengths — yet! — but I’d happily learn.

I’m a pescatarian. I eat fish and seafood, eggs and plant-based foods, but don’t drink animal milk. I’m comfortable preparing vegetarian or pescatarian meals, but don’t handle or prepare meat.

I’m also a 700-hour certified yoga teacher, trained in India. Yoga and meditation are important parts of my life, and I’d be happy to share yoga with hosts who are interested.

I’m particularly interested in learning holistic practices, especially sound therapy, massage techniques, herbs, oils, natural remedies and natural cosmetics. I’m looking for opportunities where I can contribute the skills I already have while learning from people with experience in these areas.

I speak fluent English, Spanish and Portuguese, and my Italian is improving every day. I’d love to learn French.

The only thing I’m not suited to is technical maintenance or DIY. I’m not the person to fix a roof, use power tools or build a fence! But if you need someone to care for children or animals, welcome guests, cook, clean, organise, garden, help with farm work or simply lend a hand around the home, I’ll happily roll up my sleeves.

I’m easy-going, dependable and respectful of other people’s homes and routines. I enjoy books, nature, good conversations, learning new skills and living simply. I believe the best Workaway experiences come from kindness, trust, laughter and sharing everyday life together.

I’m not looking simply for a short holiday experience. I’m particularly interested in finding a long-term stay where I can genuinely become part of a family, household, farm, rural project or small hospitality business — contributing meaningfully, learning new skills and sharing everyday life. 💚

Centres d’intérêt

Écriture

Fitness

Camping

Plage

Dessin et peinture

Voile / bateau

Animaux

Vie en van

Bénévolat

Yoga / bien-être

Végétarien ou végan

Dev. durable

Dev. personnel

Nature

Activités en plein air

Animaux de compagnie

Photographie

Soin des plantes

Musique

Films et télé

Montagne

Langues

Ferme

Jardinage

Randonnée

Danse

Bricolage / artisanat

Culture

Livres

Cuisine et alimentation

Langues

Langues parlées
Espagnol: Courant
Portugais: Courant
Italien: Intermédiaire

Plus de détails sur les langues qui m'intéressent
I can teach English and/or Spanish, in exchange for French or Italian.

Trouver un partenaire de langue

Compétences et connaissances que j'aimerais partager ou apprendre

Ça m'intéresse :  

Projets artistiques

Éco-projets

Aider dans une ferme

Tenir compagnie à une pers. âgée

Travail associatif

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J'ai des connaissances :  

Jardinage d'entretien

S’occuper des animaux

Baby-sitting et jeux créatifs

Préparer les repas / cuisiner pour la famille

Aide informatique / Internet

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Je peux apprendre aux autres :  

Langues

Enseignement

Aider à la maison

Accueil / tourisme

Garde de maison et d'animaux

Quelles sont vos compétences ?

Language teaching and learning – Experienced English teacher; happy to help with language practice, conversation or informal lessons, and always keen to learn new languages myself.

Childcare & creative play – I grew up in a big family and, as the eldest, was always surrounded by children. My mum and aunties ran a nursery in Brazil, and after school I would go there to help both in the classroom and during playtime. I loved telling and inventing stories, playing, foraging, making “nature art” and exploring with the children. I also have extensive babysitting experience, both for family and friends and as paid childcare before becoming an English teacher.

Animal care & connection – I’ve had pets all my life and naturally connect with animals. I’m attentive, gentle and genuinely enjoy caring for them. I also have experience caring for farm animals.

Horses – I have a real passion for horses and have had the opportunity to care for them daily during a Workaway on a horse ranch, including feeding, grooming, cleaning, riding and general daily care. I’d love to learn much, much more about horses and their care.

Gardening & plants – I love working with plants and being outdoors. While I’m still learning, I’m motivated, observant and happy to help with gardening, planting, growing vegetables and general land care.

Cooking – A confident, intuitive cook. Nothing fancy, but I’m very good at creating tasty, nourishing meals with whatever is available — and people usually love the results.

Yoga & wellbeing – Qualified yoga teacher, trained in India. Yoga and meditation are an important part of my life, and I’m happy to share yoga if it interests my hosts. I’m also very interested in learning more about holistic practices, especially sound therapy, massage, natural remedies, herbs, oils and natural cosmetics.

Creativity & hands-on projects – Creative and artistic, with a growing interest in chalk painting, upcycling furniture and simple decorative or restoration projects.

Âge

54

Autres infos...

I tend to thrive in quieter, smaller settings rather than large group environments. I work best when tasks are clear and I’m especially comfortable working independently or one-to-one, particularly with animals, children within a family, or hands-on projects. I appreciate clear routines, a peaceful environment and mutual respect, while being very happy to adapt to the rhythm and needs of the household. I’m looking for a genuine long-term experience where I can become part of everyday life, contribute reliably and build a good relationship with my hosts.

Informations complémentaires

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  Fumeur

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  Permis de conduire

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  Allergies
  no

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  Régime alimentaire spécial
  vegetarian