Digital Nomad Interview with Eleonora Malacarne, Media Assistant for the #ConsumelessMed project

As is often the case with nomads working online, the lines blur when it comes to roles and responsibilities. Tasks evolve, and before we know it the job we’re doing has morphed into something else. That’s certainly been the case in my online experience and it’s that same model that Eleonora Malacarne fell into in her Media Assistant role for the ConsumelessMed project.

Nomadic Times, columnist Mel Candea introduced us to the #ConsumelessMed project in her guest article An American in Sicily: A Workation to Remember. During this project Mel interviewed some of her collaborators and over the coming weeks we’re bringing you a series of digital nomad interview with her team members.

Columist: Mel Candea

Eleonora Malacarne is a sort of web analyzer (I’m sure there’s a precise word and she did try to explain) and a translator.

She worked primarily with Alberto Mattei, in managing Nomadi Digitali’s social media and postings, but many times what she worked on crossed over into what we worked on. It was a very fluid give-and-take, with a lot of help, ideas and support exchanged. I’d say she was our girl Friday, and I wouldn’t be exaggerating.

She was the quietly observing one, with a quick wit on those observations.

What is your idea of a workation?

A “package holiday,” where digital nomads go. It probably includes a co-working space with a good connection. It’s in a nice location and a surrounding area to explore – in between working. I’m not sure I need someone to organize my holidays for me, though.

If it was like this, though – what we’ve been doing, with everyone working together on the same project – it’d be different. Getting to know each other with a deeper connection and meaning.
I don’t need it arranged for me. I can find a co-working space by myself. But this is unique.

I’d heard about retreats and cruises especially designed for digital nomads. They seem to be a way for organizers to monetize. If there was a course, or training, I might be interested.

Our experience here has been completely different. There’s a communication plan for the project; and each person on the team was selected by their expertise. It’s clear who does what, though many of the tasks are related. Even my job, which is slightly external, is part of the chain. We’re each a piece of the puzzle.

It’s given us an opportunity to learn from each other’s experience and lives. The co-living part has been a different aspect of learning from each other, too.

Briefly describe your digital nomad career:

I started thinking about becoming a digital nomad to earn money to go backpacking – and then I realized I needed to take a different step. I started a remote job and began freelancing at the same time.

The part-time remote job gives me more motivation and more freedom than full-time, including time for studying more. And for freelancing, since I studied translation, I get to either work or improve my skills.

Where do you live now and what do you do?

Villa Magda, at this precise moment, with 7 other digital nomads. I’m promoting the workation in a Facebook event, plus adding a day-by-day chronicle of it for an Italian website called Nomadi Digitali. It’s been a lot of fun, as well as a lot of work.

How did you connect with the workation/selection?

I’ve been a contributor to Nomadi Digitali since 2012 or 2013. I was travelling and when I came back I went through selection. I wasn’t chosen, but I was asked to be a social media aide to the owner of Nomadi Digitali.

What are your immediate plans (after this)?

I’m thinking about Budapest, maybe Prague, and then back to Spain.

What are your long-term plans?

Firstly, I don’t make long-term plans. Secondly, I’d like to learn more so I can specialize in my area of expertise. Thirdly, I’ve spent my life sharing living space. I’d like to have a home base of my own to return from my travels.

The team at a local farm, sampling the goods

What advice do you have for anyone organizing a workation?

I think for who organizes the work never ends, especially in this case as it is a professional workation. There is not only need to pick good professionals, but to be able to manage the “human factor” and those 2 don’t necessarily end up complementing each other. So I think whoever organizes has to be a good communicator, apart from being a good project manager.

What advice would you give new Digital Nomads interested in your specialty?

You need to build your skills first and then get relevant experience for work. For life? Live a little.

Being a Consumeless traveler in the countryside

Name your favorite quote (the one you live by):

“There will always be people who tell you that you can’t do something – until someone actually does it.”

What’s your favorite Sicilian dish?

It’s probably Caponata, with tasty aubergines. I also love the Arancini, the stuffed and fried rice balls – it’s similar to variations in in Spain.

Describe the highlight of this workation.

At the very beginning, I didn’t know if this kind of collaboration could be done. It was good to see it take shape and see that it’s possible – maybe we just had a good group. Different groups might have a different experience. We felt free to talk, to work and laughed a lot, even though we didn’t know each other well.

What would you do if you couldn’t be a digital nomad (imagine no WiFi… gasp!):

I’d probably do something with translation, maybe writing or content. But I’m the kind of person who says, okay, I’ll do it. Following my dreams becomes part of the plan.

Meet #DigitalNomad Eleonora Malacarne, Media Assistant on the #ConsumelessMed project @westydigitalnom Click To Tweet

Meet the Digital Nomads who collaborated with Mel on the ConsumelessMed project in the following interviews:

Introductory Article from Mel Candea
Alberto, Project Manager and Owner of Digitali Nomadi
Toni Bullo, Graphic/Creative Designer
Eleonora, Media Manager and Translator
Armando, Videographer and Animator
Giulia, Writer and Storyteller (‘Blocal’)
Carlo, Web Designer: Coming Soon
Chris, Social Media Manager and Blogger (‘Blog di Viaggi’): Coming Soon

Author Bio for Mel Candea

Mel Candea has been an online writer for 9 years and a digital nomad for 6. She slow travels Europe with her husband in their van. She splits her time between working from the road and exploring the countries and their cultures. Mel is a voracious reader, an avid writer, a partial photographer and a believer in trying to leave places better than how they were found. If at all possible.