I am offering time in my family's Tuscan home (usually rents for ~$900/wk; more information below) in addition to my babysitting services, piano lessons (I am a conservatory-trained classical pianist and usually charge $50/hr), musical performance services and/or French language tutoring.
Please contact me if you might be interested in working out an arrangement of this type. I would be happy to provide you with as many references as necessary. Thanks.
*** MORE INFO ABOUT THE HOME IN SARTEANO, ITALY ***
ABOUT SARTEANO
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Surrounded by and overflowing a double ring of medieval city walls, Sarteano is a small hill town (530 m. elevation; pop. @ 4500) in southern Tuscany on the ridge of Mount Cetona. The town itself dates from the early Middle Ages but the area, between the lower valley of the Chiana River (Val di Chiana) to the east and the beautiful valley of the Orcia River (Val d’Orcia) to the west, was inhabited much earlier by the Etruscans, whose burial sites and tombs are scattered about the town and countryside.
Sarteano is crowned with the ruins of a castle dating from around 1100. There are a number of lovely and ancient churches in the town, including the 16th century (ex) Convent of Santa Chiara (now home to an elegant restaurant). A very interesting Etruscan museum is found in one of the Renaissance palazzi built into the city walls; there is a restored and active (with theatrical and musical events) 19th century theatre, Teatro degli Arrischianti, on the main piazza (Piazza XXIV Guigno). An outdoor market is held weekly in the Piazza Ippocrati.
The annual Giostra del Saracino takes place every August 15th. Horses from each of the “contradas,” or parishes, compete, passions run high, but Sarteano’s “Joust of the Saracen” is a more peaceful (but no less colorful) event than Siena’s Palio. Citizens promenade in medieval garb, and with its feasting and revival of old traditions, the event is attended by many visitors and the entire population of Sarteano.
Also in the town is a beautifully landscaped municipal pool fed by thermal springs (which abound in this part of Tuscany), with adjacent tennis courts, located a couple of minutes walk from the central square. And these are but a few of the many highlights of Sarteano itself.
The general atmosphere in the town is friendly and welcoming. There are many interesting shops selling local goods. Tourists are important to the town’s economy, but they are certainly not its raison d’etre. Sarteano’s citizens seem proud of their town and happy to share its many pleasures. See: “Guide to walking in Sarteano”.
* One Double Bedroom (with extra single roll-out trundle bed); the French windows open onto a small balcony with deck chair
* One Single Bedroom (bed linens/towels)
* One Bathroom with bathtub
* Kitchen with gas stove/electric oven, refrigerator, antique travertine marble sink, dishes/cutlery, utensils, cookware
* Dining area (table opens to seat 8) with skylight and fireplace open to:
* Living room with natural gas fireplace stove
* Washing machine w/ clothesline (clothes dry in minutes “under the Tuscan sun”)
GROUND FLOOR (Former Cantina; separate entrance)
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* One double bedroom (or two singles)
* One bathroom with shower
* Seating area with small table
NOTES
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The floors throughout are restored antique terra cotta tile. Ceilings on the upper level are open to the traditional rafters and hand-made cotta tiles, which have been beautifully refinished. In the former cantina, one wall of which is exposed antique brick, old wooden beams and cotta tile also form the ceiling. The rest of the walls have been painted with traditional lime-based paint with pigment. The two double bedrooms are furnished with antique cast-iron beds (and very comfortable modern mattresses!). The smaller bedroom contains a “French double” (three-quarter) futon bed which can be easily folded into a sofa. Old Tuscan furniture throughout is supplemented with comfortable modern seating.
Windows look out over the terra-cotta tiled rooftops of medieval Sarteano, just under the ruined castle walls. Don’t miss the old stone lion which guards the gable of a rooftop outside the kitchen window.
What I'm Looking For :
I am a 24 year old female graduate student in music and I am looking for a room for the academic year (September, 2009 to May, 2010) somewhere near (or accessible by public transit to/from) the Fenway/Back Bay area. I am very responsible, clean, quiet and friendly. I am hoping to work out an arrangement where there is either no exchange of money, or I pay very reduced rent.
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