Lynn

United States
Login to see last activity

Badges (2)

Photos

View all

Give the gift of Workaway

Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
Activities i am interested in:
I'm a dog-loving English teacher.
Description
I put travel pretty high on my list of favorite activities. I don't travel for shopping, or for thrilling once-in-a lifetime moments, but more to see how people live their day to day lives. I like staying a while in one place and getting to know people.
I've been lucky enough to travel to many, many countries. I hope to continue to do more travel as I go into retirement.
Interests
Drawing & painting
Outdoor activities
Gardening
Charity work
Cooking & food
Camping
Books
Pets
Animals
Hiking
Yoga / Wellness
Self development
DIY & crafts
Vegetarian or vegan
Nature
Culture
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Japanese: Intermediate
More details about my language interests
I have a Master's Degree in TESOL and have taught for 30 years.
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
Able to teach about:
Languages
Teaching
More details about your skills
I have been an English (ESL/EFL) teacher for more than 25 years. Currently, I run a small screen-printing business in my home. I work with dye and natural fibers. It's a lot of fun.
Age
64
What else ...
I believe dogs are better than humans. I'm quiet, and believe that the best way to see a place is on foot.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Perfume
- Special dietary requirements
  I'm vegetarian

Friends

Photos

Feedback

27 Feb 2023

Left by Workawayer (Lynn) for host (Take care of rescued street ...)

Workaway Review
I spent six weeks with Angela at her headquarters in Chapala. My main goal was to assist her in her day-to-day work. I’m no dog expert, but luckily, I didn’t have to be. She coached me through whatever task was at hand. I learned how to successfully help a dog swallow a pill, how to distract a dog getting an injection, etc.
Here’s… read more what my days usually looked like:
8:00 am - 11:00 am Help feed dogs and do cleanup of dog areas. Make sure everyone had fresh water. Start laundry of dog blankets if necessary. Make breakfast for myself and Angela if she was around. Find out her schedule for the day. She was often headed out to foster homes or the vet or groomers, so I planned my free time around her schedule. Hang out with dogs. I looked at my time with them as a way to help them transition from street animal to house pet.
I liked to start lunch and dinner prep for myself and Angela during this time- usually a salad or something simple that could be eaten quickly. Angela’s schedule was always changing, so I made sure there was always something ready to go whenever she stoped in to eat. Pasta salad, Dahl, soup, etc. It seems to me that she’s happy with whatever is cooked for her. She keeps a well stocked kitchen and it has all the appliances and cooking tools you could want.
11:00- 3:00 Be on hand to check in on dogs hourly. Clean dog area, check for problems, etc.
I used this time of day to finish up two online courses, sometimes studying in the hammock out back with the dogs, sometimes upstairs in my room.
If it was not too hot, I’d walk a mile to the shopping area. There’s a farmers market there on Monday mornings, which is a great place to get fresh fruit (mangoes!) that tastes so much better than in the US. There’s a bus that runs on the road in front of the house which goes into Guadalajara or downtown Chapala every few minutes, but I never took it. I’m told it’s only a matter of flagging it down, though,
5:00-8:00 The dogs eat their dinner at 5:00 and some of them need medications at that time. After that we would hang out with the dogs and do whatever cleaning tasks needed to get done (change out mop water, round up all the dog toys, wash dog food bowls) I helped situate each dog to its crate, then the evening was my own. I spent my evenings at home reading or watching Netflix. I would not say this Workaway position is for people who need exciting nightlife opportunities. I think it would be too disruptive to the dogs to have people coming and going in the evening. But Angela was good about taking me out to show me the the area. It’s a beautiful lake and a little row of townships running along it. But make sure you do a ride along when she is out taking care of dogs on the street. It will humble you and give you a new appreciation for your life back home, wherever that is.
It took me a week to really get to know the dogs and the routine there, so I would recommend a volunteer planning to spend two weeks at a minimum.
I’m from the rainy Pacific Northwest, so I’m so glad I got to spend my winter in sunshine and warmth. Angela is easygoing and open to any help you want to offer her in the complicated juggle of animal care and housekeeping. When I flew home, I transported 5 dogs with me and got the pleasure of introducing the dogs I’d cared for to their new families at the airport. It was one of the most heartwarming experiences of my life.

(Excellent )

19 Apr 2019

Left by Workawayer (Lynn) for host (Enjoy home stay, local life ...)

I stayed one month with Saif and his family. His description is accurate, but be aware that this location is really India, not a resort location. I never saw another foreigner (even in Kolkata!) the whole time I was there.
You will have the chance to really get to know a community and way of life. The family is warm and supportive, open and… read more

(Excellent )

To leave feedback make sure you are logged in & your account is online