Not All Digital Nomads Carry Laptops!
Swapoffi
15 Oct
Swapoffi is a home swap community for remote workers, which most of us associate as knowledge workers, typically working in ecommerce, marketing, IT or project management. When we discovered that one of our members is a professional songwriter, we wanted to get to know more about Adeline's work and travel life.
Adeline was kind enough to share her story with us. A French native, Adeline lived in the UK for several years and now calls Barcelona home.
I have been a songwriter for over 20 years and working professionally for 10 years. Like most musicians, I earn money in different ways, including gigging, recording, writing for other musicians and giving classes. I perform in hotels and at events such as weddings and corporate events. I also have regular gigs in restaurants in Barcelona where I live. I play guitar and sing rock/pop/folk. I write my own songs and have recorded some professionally, but I collaborate with other songwriters too.
I recently wrote a song with another musician in Colombia: we did everything remotely, never met, not even on video! Goes to show musicians can remote work very well!
Before Covid, I travelled a lot. It's just me so it's really easy to move around. I don't need to ask anyone else if they are free or to organise the logistics of a whole band. I was able to combine my work and experience different cultures, all at the same time.
I bought a special travelling guitar which folds in two. It takes only a small space in a small suitcase, so it's perfect for travelling. Having regular gigs in Barcelona lets my clients in other countries know I am a professional and reliable performer, even if they have never heard of me, so that works really well.
What I like about a Home Exchange Community
Since Covid I really want to get back to travelling and working. Swapoffi is perfect for me now. I used Couchsurfing a lot between 2011 and 2020. I loved its community ethos where members helped each other. It was also great to stay with someone from the local area.
Unfortunately, it has changed a lot, especially since they started charging money to use it. I have used Home Exchange too, so I am a big fan of home swapping. The community aspect, local homes and local information and no cost accommodation really works for me. I also love the fact no one makes money out of it; it makes it more genuine.
I like the concept of mutual respect that you get in a home exchange community. You respect the homeowner and treat their home in the same way you behave in your own home, and your home receives the same treatment! It's a mutual experience, so it works for both people.
Living in Barcelona, you hear so many horror stories about people trashing Airbnb properties. They pay for the service and consider it like tourism, so don't treat those homes the same way they treat their own home. Reciprocity is better!
Tell us more about life in Barcelona?
I love it here. I lived in England for 13 years and it felt like a change of scenery, plus I really needed more sun. It is sunny here most of the time, which is wonderful.
There is a bit of everything in Barcelona, I love its multicultural aspects, many things to do, the sea and even mountains nearby. You can find quiet areas not far from the city. In just 30 minutes by train or car, you can be in the middle of nowhere.
My apartment is part of Barcelona city and still reachable by public transport, but not in the centre. It's ideal for people who want to do some sightseeing, but also want to enjoy tranquillity outside of the city centre , avoid tourists and discover unknown areas in Barcelona.
Check out Adeline's music.
Adeline would love to swap homes with other Swapoffi members in Ireland, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, United Kingdom, or anywhere where she can get booked for a gig!
Want to buy a foldable guitar? Adeline bought hers from Snap Dragon Guitars.
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