Experience village life near Dryanovo, Bulgaria

Details

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  Description

  We are a couple from the UK and Ireland, looking for help with our project in central Bulgaria. In exchange we offer free stays in excellent accomodation with fresh locally sourced food and great company. We want your experience with us to be productive and fun, not just for us but for everyone else who comes to visit too! You will not be expected to do anything we would not be willing to do ourself.
  
  We have already renovated most of the house along with some outbuildings into open air spaces. A basic outdoor kitchen, a chill out zone and a communal dining area. We have some mod cons for comfort like Starlink wifi in the house and a chillout barn with a projector for outdoor cinema, a hot tub to relax in and some hammocks and swing seats to settle into for a good read or afternoon nap. We also have a plunge pool, in Spring and Summer, to cool off in the heat.
  
  We have bell tent accommodation as well as rooms in the main house when we are not hosting a retreat or have family to stay. There are two indoor showers and toilets as well as a fully functioning indoor kitchen.
  
  We would love to host friendly conscientious volunteers to help with our renovations while experiencing village life and exploring the surrounds in beautiful central Bulgaria.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We are 15 minutes drive from Dryanovo with all shops and amenities and 30 minutes from the beautiful historic city of Veliko Tarnovo which was the former Capital of Bulgaria. We are reasonably close to Tryavna, Buzludzha, Kazanlak and the Ancient Thracian Tombs which are close to the very beautiful Shipka Church. If you have a valid Driving licence you may have occasional use of the car.
  
  We are situated in a gorgeous area within foothills of the Balkan mountains and nestled amongst kilometers of untouched forest which contain the remains of ancient Indo-European Thracian roads. Our small village is quaint yet full of life and retains that old Bulgaria feel.
  
  We frequently go on trips to local beauty spots like the Kapinovski falls for swimming and Dryanovo Monastery, where the oldest European human remains were found in Bacho Kiro cave.
  
  There is an incredible diversity of wildlife. Be warned however the diversity also includes creepy crawlies like spiders (nothing poisonous) and flies (some of which nip) but not many mosquitos. The insects feed the many species of small birds and bats.
  Depending upon the time of year, there are storks nesting on top of telegraph poles as well as deer, rabbits and hares everywhere.

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  Help

  Our current big project is to convert two barns. One into a meditation/yoga space and the other needs a staircase to the first floor then a new floor installed over existing first floor joists.
  
  The Yoga Barn will need some wall pointing and interior decorating. Some painting and decorating in the house is also needed.
  
  We would love some help building a few solar showers and a compost loo or two in the garden.
  
  Our very new vegetable areas, flowerbeds and garden need to be maintained as well as general tidying and cleaning of communal areas is the norm, whilst having fun and meeting new people along the way!
  
  Cooking of meals is by rota and is usually communal unless you want your own space. All is welcome here!

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Bulgarian: Beginner
  German: Beginner
  Spanish: Beginner
  French: Beginner
  Portuguese: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  We would love to learn another language!
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  Accommodation

  Comfy beds in Bell tents and/or rooms inside main house.

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  What else ...

  We may be able to offer some excursions with us to the coast or to see the Thracian tombs in the Bulgarian Valley of the Kings. Buzludzha is an amazing communist monument built on top of one of the highest mountain peaks that is presently being refurbished with funds raised by the EDM festival that happens there. Check out youtube to see the amazing video projections onto the alien saucer shaped building.
  
  Closer to home there are waterfalls at Krushevo, Kapinovski (also a camp site and swimming spot) and Dryanovo where the Bacho Kiro caves are also situated. There are shops, restaurants, all within a 15 minute drive or 30 minute cycle.
  
  A short distance away you will find Etar ethnographic museum and traditional towns like Bojentsi and Tryavna , which will take you back in time allowing you to experience how people used to live, work and play. There are many lovely walks around the village into the forest and surrounding hills as well as rock climbing and kayaking nearby.
  
  In nearby Veliko Tarnovo is a modern cinema, two historic fortresses alongside lots of lovely bars, restaurants, museums, art venues and cafes. VT is a University city full of young vibrant people and corresponding places to hang out and meet.
  
  The old town of VT has an artisan quarter where you can watch people make things such as pottery and textiles in the traditional way.
  
  There is lots more to keep you occupied and entertained but we can't list everything here. Hop online, do a bit of research and see if your hobbies and interests can be served.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  Our internet is excellent (Starlink)

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We can potentially provide a parking space to rear of property with advance warning.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4 hours a day, maximum 4 days a week

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