Tomas

Slovakia (Slovak Republic)
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Travel information
I am currently
At home
My next destination:
Slovenia - from Jul 2025 until Aug 2025
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Description
Hi there! My name is Tomas and I am from Slovakia.

I am an outdoors enthusiast. I enjoy hiking, camping, and kayaking, and I'm interested in all the outdoor activities I haven't yet had an opportunity to try. More importantly, I love simply being in nature. When I am free, you will most likely find me in a forest or by a river.

I am in love with the American West. I've devoured so many books (fiction and non-fiction), films, and documentaries about the West, but I only got a little actual taste of it when I took a two-week trip to California in Summer 2022. I visited Los Angeles and the Yosemite National Park. Ever since I've been meaning to visit the Western US again.

I would love to help out at your farm, and, in doing so, gain knowledge and skills in gardening, permaculture, animal care, carpentry, as well as in off-grid and sustainable living. I am interested in ecology and passionate about sustainable farming practices. Ultimately, my biggest dream is to have my own place where I can grow my own food.

Two of my personals heroes are John Muir and Dick Proenneke.
Interests
Camping
Yoga / Wellness
Sustainability
Self development
Nature
Outdoor activities
Pets
Plant care
Music
Mountain
Farming
Hiking
Gardening
Fitness
DIY & crafts
Animals
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Slovak: Fluent
Czech: Intermediate
Spanish: Beginner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Life at a Farmstay
Helping around the house
General Maintenance
Some knowledge of:
Being an elderly companion
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Able to teach about:
Teaching
Languages
More details about your skills
Having lived in a city in an apartment building since I was 10, I haven't had much opportunity for gardening and farm work, but I've always liked to lend a hand when it came to manual labor, whether some shoveling was needed, or it was helping mowing the lawn or watering vegetables at my friend's grandparents' place. I also helped plant and regularly trim bushes as well as do general maintenance work in a small flower garden in front of our apartment building. I also grow microgreens and herbs on our balcony. Considering my limited opportunities, I see myself as handy with tools, be it a hammer, drill, or saw.

Cooking and baking: It started as an attempt to recreate at home my favorite dishes from various cuisines, and it has grown into a hobby. Some of my all-time favorite comfort foods are pizza (that's a rare one :D), tomato soup, spaghetti with meatballs, butter chicken, thai curry, egg salad, banana bread, muffins, and brownies, Also, being a camping enthusiast, it is my favorite ritual to start a fire and cook on it.

Driving: Always the designated driver. I am comfortable behind the wheel in all weather conditions. I dreamed of being a truck driver in the US when I was a teen.

Horse riding and animal care: Since October 2023 (with a three-month break), I've been helping out a little and taking horse riding lessons at a small horse ranch in a neighboring village.

Overall, I am flexible, reliable, and a fast learner with good attention to detail.
Age
31
What else ...
I have a degree in English and Music Education. I play the piano, although my skills are a little rusty at this point. I haven't played for a couple years, since I don't own a piano right now. These days, I'm learning to play drums and sometimes I dabble into electronic music production.

My interest in ecology and environmental justice, as well as the American West, coupled with my field of study, led me to write my master's thesis on the intersection of these seemingly disparate areas. I analyzed Kem Nunn's environmentally-conscious surfer noir novels set in Southern California from the perspective of ecocriticism, a field within literary criticism that explores the relationship between humans and nature.

I have a certificate in caregiving. I spent some time working at a nursing home, and it was a very rewarding experience.

I love getting to know people from other cultures. During my freshman year at college I worked as a volunteer for Erasmus Student Network where I provided support and guidance to exchange students and helped organize trips and theme dinners.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  no
- Special dietary requirements
  no

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1 Nov 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Garden, learn about food ...)

I spent three weeks at Melissa's place in late spring this year. I wish I could have stayed longer — in fact, I could happily stay there indefinitely. If you're like me and love the kind of peace and quiet that a place like hers can offer, you’ll feel right at home there. I enjoyed the slow rhythm of my days, feeling the sun on my back while… read more

(Excellent )

14 Aug 2024

Left by host for Workawayer ()

Tomaš was a super Workawayer while here. He was quiet and respectful, loved learning about life here on my place and in the US, and has excellent English skills. Always willing and helpful even when something was new to him, he dove right into tasks. He also cooked some wonderful traditional Slovak dishes for us! I highly recommend Tomaš and would… read more

(Excellent )

7 Jun 2024

Left by host (Join us in the foothills of ...) for Workawayer ()

Tomas was with us for four weeks, and he helped with a whole bunch of different projects. His strength and ability to dig was very much appreciated as he dug deep holes for our clothesline and dug out around the perimeter of the garden so we could lay a gopher barrier. Despite those difficult tasks, he was not deterred from any job, and was always… read more

(Excellent )

4 Jun 2024

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join us in the foothills of ...)

I couldn't be more grateful for having Kristin and Steve as hosts for my very first Workaway experience.

They have all the attributes you look for in a Workaway host. First and foremost, they are warm and kind people who make you feel like part of the family. You share in their daily lives, have dinners together, enjoy good conversation, play… read more board games, or watch TV afterward. The day after my arrival, I was invited to a make-your-own-pizza party they hosted for their friends. Their cooking is top-notch, and they use many ingredients they grow and preserve themselves. On top of that, Steve makes his own delicious hard apple cider.

They are organized and clear communicators. Kristin has a list of daily tasks with detailed instructions ready for you every morning. They give you all the tools you need and address your questions promptly. They are flexible and willing to accommodate you. There's always room for your own ideas and activities you are interested in.

I was looking forward to working in the garden, and I got to do plenty. Mostly, I helped prepare the garden for the planting season, which included tasks such as weeding, tilling, and spreading mulch. I also helped Steve, a man of many talents, plant a couple of fruit trees, set up an irrigation system, and put a barrier against moles into the ground, among other things. I learned a lot from both of them.

Kristin is a music teacher, and for her, teaching is not just a job but a mission. She took me to the elementary school where she teaches, showed me around, and I got to see her in action. For me, an aspiring music teacher, that was an invaluable opportunity.

No household is complete without a cute pet, and theirs is a German shepherd named Zasha. Such a character! I never felt alone because even when Kristin and Steve had other things to do and I was working in the garden by myself, she always kept me company.

There are many great opportunities for recreation in the area, and Kristin and Steve are ready to show you around and give you tips. Plus, if you don't have your own car, be at peace, because there's a bus company that operates free buses. Shortly before the end of my stay, the Wenatchee River was at the perfect level, and Steve took me on a rafting trip. My personal tip for outdoor enthusiasts is to take the bus to the nearby city of Chelan, and from there, get on a boat that takes you to the other end of Lake Chelan to Stehekin, a small community nestled in a valley in the North Cascades. With no other access than by boat, this place is a hiker's paradise set in the spectacular wilderness of the Pacific Northwest. Steve will give you all the information you need for a smooth trip.

I spent a month with them, and somehow, the time flew by just too fast. It was an unforgettable experience, and I hope our paths cross again someday!

(Excellent )

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