Life aboard a sailboat and language exchange in the heart of Dunkirk, France

Details

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  Description

  Hi, my name is Patrick. I planned to sail from Netherlands to Cadiz... but I never made it past Dunkirk.
  
  Since 2017, I've been working on a self-sufficiency project – envisioning stable, 100% local communities with zero oil and zero pollution.
  
  I launched a small experimental Permavillage in Belgium, where I tested 26 essential skills for living self-sufficiently.
  
  Most recently, I started a print-on-demand (POD) business, focusing on designs that celebrate international days – every day, side by side (sbs).

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Creating/ Cooking family meals
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  Interests

  

  Technology

  

  Music

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Van life

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  Languages

  

  Books

  

  Art & design

  

  Architecture

  

  Hiking

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Sailing / Boating

  

  Nature

  

  Cycling
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I can teach you French, permaculture, self-sufficiency, programming (in HTML, CSS, PHP, and MySQL), wild plants, essential oils, and how to make a website.

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  Help

  I am mostly interested in language exchange, to improve the languages I already know, and to learn languages I don't know. Plus, if you're vegetarian or vegan, I'd love to learn from you and discover some simple plant-based recipes.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate
  Dutch: Intermediate
  Portuguese: Intermediate
  German: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  Always interested in teaching French or any other language I know, and in learning any language I don't – or practising one I already know.
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  Accommodation

  Accommodation is, of course, on the sailboat. There are two single berths on either side and a double berth in the bow, separated by a curtain, offering a bit of privacy.
  
  Keep in mind that the boat is small, so close quarters are part of the experience. Also, you can’t stand up inside – which isn’t an issue for me, as I enjoy being outside or sitting comfortably indoors.
  
  Meals are simple: nuts, eggs, raw vegetables, pasta, and the like. There’s a small fridge and a cooker on board, so cooking is possible.
  
  Please note: the toilets and showers (which are very clean) are located about a 3–4 minute walk from the boat, via the pontoons.

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  What else ...

  In their time off, helpers can enjoy life on a sailboat and in the heart of a lively port. The boat is docked in the city center, just a 10-minute walk from Dunkirk train station. Dunkirk offers long sandy beaches, a vibrant marina with cafés, and museums such as the Port Museum and the Dunkirk 1940 museum. All local buses are completely free, making it easy to explore the city and surroundings at no cost.

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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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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

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