Sammy

United States
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
My next destination:
Mexico
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Description
I really enjoy Mexico and its people. I can hardly wait to get back there after COVID turned my life, and the world, upside down.
My favorite town, so far, is Guanajuato, GTO, where I have both attended Spanish classes and taught (English) at Escuela Falcon, learning the language, as well as Latin dance. I am looking for a stay where I can not only do volunteer work, but also continue to learn Spanish, as well as visit some of the ruins and pyramids and beautiful sites in Mexico.
Previously I completed a TESOL certification in 2016. I taught several volunteer positions over the two winters previous to COVID, that increased my teaching experience, both in classroom situations as well as one on one tutoring. I taught English in Chiapa de Corzo (8 weeks - 2018), Puebla City (2 weeks - 2018), Boca de Tomatlan (4 weeks - 2018), and Guanajuato (21 weeks - 2019). I would love to gain more experience in teaching English as a second language, and/or teach basic math skills (Algebra, Geometry, Calculus) in an ESL-speaking classroom.
I am good with people, and am a team player; I am also self-motivated and can work alone on various projects when necessary. I am a retired civil engineer from the United States planning to visit Mexico this winter from October through June as a temporary resident.
Interests
Books
Culture
Carpentry
DIY & crafts
Drawing & painting
Yoga / Wellness
Vegetarian or vegan
Sustainability
Self development
Nature
Outdoor activities
Performing arts
Pets
Plant care
Music
Mountain
Gardening
Hiking
Events & social
Dancing

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Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I would love to gain more experience in teaching English as a second language, and/or teach basic math skills (Algebra, Geometry, Calculus) in an ESL-speaking classroom.
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
General Maintenance
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Art Projects
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Languages
Teaching
More details about your skills
I hope to find a volunteer position that includes teaching English in some capacity, but am open to using other skills that I have developed over the years.
I am good with people, so any help that requires working with the public is exciting!
Other areas that I have experience are general handyman skills including: carpentry, painting, sheetrock, as well as some masonry, plumbing and electrical, landscaping, erosion control and grading design. I am in good physical shape and health. I am a retired Civil Engineer.
In addition, I love to cook - I know my way around a kitchen, as well as cooking delicious meals with food on hand. I love eating healthy food, and love vegan. I also have limited computer skills - I am well-versed in MS Word and Excel, and am very good at proof-reading and editing. I have a MacBook Air laptop that I use while traveling.
I have a TESOL certification (2016), and would love to gain more experience in teaching English as a second language, and/or teach basic math skills (Algebra, Geometry, Calculus) in ESL-speaking classroom.
Age
72
What else ...
I generally leave a place better than I found it, and clean up after myself.
I like most music, and like to play the doumbek (mid-eastern drum) from time time as a meditation. I can also lead a Sufi workshop class from 1 to 3 hours if there is interest. I enjoy a game of chess when I get the chance. I am very interested in improving and upgrading my basic Spanish skills.
I can give Sufi workshops if there is interest. I have pursued spiritual teachings for most of my adult life.
I recently married (two years ago!) my girlfriend since 2013, Shelagh. We met at the Sufi Foundation Retreat in summer of 2013, and have traveled together extensively in Mexico and in Europe.
I helped my (ex-)wife of 25 years raise and home-school two environmentally conscious daughters. I am now (6 years) a proud grandfather of two wonderful granddaughters. Kids can be such a joy, are filled with natural curiosity, and usually love learning new things.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  no
- Special dietary requirements
  I prefer vegan/vegetarian for my health and health of the planet, but not a purist.

Feedback

30 Apr 2018

Left by host (House sitting and cultural ...) for Workawayer (Sammy)

This was our first experience as hosts for workaway and it was fantastic. Sammy was very helpful around the house and he adapted really well to our daily routine (he even surprised us with some delicious meals that were waiting for us coming back from the gym). He also showed us some good vegan recipes and he prepared the most delicious healthy… read more

(Excellent )

26 Apr 2018

Left by Workawayer (Sammy) for host (House sitting and cultural ...)

Valeria and her mother, Marcia, were fantastic hosts during my 10-day stay in their little village, San Lucas, about 40 minutes by car from Puebla. I had my own room furnished with a comfortable double bed, a chest of drawers, as well as closet. There was a shared bathroom on the 2nd floor, and another shared bathroom downstairs on the ground… read more floor. The house was very comfortable, and I was welcome to enjoy all of it, including the grounds and nature garden inside the compound.
Valeria is quite fluent in English, mainly interested in improving her conversation skills. Marcia was a beginning speaker of English, and so for an hour or two nearly every day we worked on basic vocabulary through rote, reading and writing sentences, basic conversation involving introductions, and, most fun, memorizing and singing popular classic rock songs. Vale and I had informal conversations, also for an hour or two most days, and read essays and text containing complex ideas and advanced vocabulary.
Marcia was a fantastic cook, and prepared traditional Mexican fare, mainly plant-based for me, so that you had all you could eat. Like many Mexican mothers, she worried that I may not be eating enough, and please, here, have some more!
I was included in many of the daily activities, as I much as I wished. The two went to an exercise class in the mornings that included zumba, Pilates and yoga on different days. Unfortunately (for me) the classes were “women only.” Had I been female, I am sure that I would have been welcome to attend!
I went shopping with the two of them one day to buy vegetables and fruit from some local vendors. They also got some meat for the carneceria, so if you are a meat eater, you will be in for more culinary delights.  Valeria and I visited Puebla together, and she introduced me to some of the "required" tourist sites, as well as a great vegan restaurant, La Zanahoria. I went solo another day to the nearby town of Cholula, where there is what is dubbed as the "largest pyramid in the world." It turns out that most of "The Great Pyramid of Cholula" still remains to be excavated; it has several exposed areas of the pyramid ruins on the site, with a marvelous Spanish cathedral sitting atop the pyramid, basically a big hill hiding most of the pyramid. LOL.
I also had the fortune to attend a local high school presentation of the students’ art, music and dance, and even a martial arts demo with Marcia. Her niece was playing the violin during one of the music performances.
I will cherish the days spent with these two and their extended family, all who received me as if I were a distant, well-loved relative! I hope to come back next year for a longer stay.

(Excellent )

27 Apr 2018

Left by Workawayer (Sammy) for host (Unique teaching opportunity ...)

I gained valuable practical experience here, teaching three classes with students ranging in age from 7 to 23 years old. This was a great place to cut my teeth as a TESL teacher.
In addition to gaining practical experience, there was an experienced teacher of TESL available for very helpful criticism when needed. Everyone, from the school, to the… read more

(Very good )

4 Mar 2018

Left by Workawayer (Sammy) for host (Help with plant based ...)

My friend Shelagh (UK) and I (USA) stayed with Patti last year during May, and absolutely loved helping her out. We stayed in a private room with a shared bath, which was no problem b/c there were two bathrooms available to volunteers. Patti knows the area really well, and sells here homemade cultured vegetables, as well as kombucha at a couple of… read more

(Excellent )

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Friends

Photos

London, England, 2014.

Shelagh Boughton and I during 2016 Cervantino festival in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Shelagh Boughton and I working on a project at the 2013 sufi camp in New Mexico.

Saladmaster training, Windsor, California. 2015

Alpine Alley, a coffee shop in Mountainair, NM. 2014

Sufi summer camp, 2013

Sufi summer camp 2013

Feedback

30 Apr 2018

Left by host (House sitting and cultural ...) for Workawayer (Sammy)

(Excellent )

26 Apr 2018

Left by Workawayer (Sammy) for host (House sitting and cultural ...)

(Excellent )

27 Apr 2018

Left by Workawayer (Sammy) for host (Unique teaching opportunity ...)

(Very good )

4 Mar 2018

Left by Workawayer (Sammy) for host (Help with plant based ...)

(Excellent )

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Sammy

Badges (5)

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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

Some knowledge of:

Able to teach about:

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