Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
24 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
23
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Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Hear the call from Central America. Nestled in the mountains of central Honduras is Minas de Oro, a 5,000 people municipality that has been home to my family since the mid 1800’s. At 1000 meters above sea level, it is a quiet and quaint village with small coffee farms as its main economic driver. I am Miguel, a retired college professor and world traveler. Now, I am fulfilling a life-long dream of remodeling the family’s 90 year-old house and designing and creating spaces for artists, artisans, educators, and optimistic souls from around the world. Most of the construction and remodeling is completed and opportunities for painting, furniture building, limestone carving, and other maintenance work is available depending on interest and skills. The land is being transformed from a small coffee farm to a mini food-forest and more significantly, to a flower garden to attract birds, bees, butterflies and beings of all kind. I am applying permaculture (PDC 2017) and sustainability principles to the management of the land and look forward to having you spend some time helping with plant nursery, building walking trails, fences, flower beds, wooden bridges, stone sculptures, wood trellises and more gardening features. The goal is to bring in plants, insects, birds and people to a diversified continent of colors, sounds, textures, aromas, and tastes. Chickens run free through the property. Plans are underway to create chicken fenced-in spaces to allow them to enjoy what the land offers, in a managed rotational approach so new plants can thrive. Two friendly outdoor dogs keep the opossums away from the chickens and the squirrels from eating the mangoes, merlitons and avocados during their seasons. The dogs are also great company for the afternoon hikes around town.
I strongly support healthy people in healthy communities. I hope you do too.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Language immersion, rural life, appreciation of stillness, creative arts, story-telling, love of nature
Help
Gardening, general house maintenance, carpentry, creative arts, creative cooking, painting, and other duties as discovered. Most activities happen in the early hours each day. I rise and set with the sun and chicken's schedule. Most related activities are not structured, there will not be a task list, activities are determined each day, this allows for creative opportunities to override routine activities.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
There will be a dedicated bedroom with private bathroom for your stay. Internet is available most of the time, except when there is a power outage, usually 1 - 2 times a month. You will have access to the kitchen and all food items available to prepare your breakfast and supper. For lunch (my lunch hour is 11 am to 12 m, each day) you are welcome to join me in preparing a basic meal. Hopefully you enjoy cooking and can share your expertise in a well equipped kitchen. I will be happy to stock food items for your creativity to flourish. You will enjoy our coffee, it is magical.
What else ...
We are surrounded by nature, off the beaten path, and life in the village is very, very quiet. Please be aware that this opportunity is for people who like experiences in remote places in the middle of mountain surroundings. It is expected you are self-driven, able to work independently, and have an eye for what can be done next.
A guitar, a violin, and an alto sax are available for the musically inclined. Yoga mats and wonderful spaces to enjoy Yoga are available. A soccer field is just a 15 minute walk away, there are pick-up games every afternoon. Local outings are usually organized to visit neighbors around their coffee plantations (at 1600 meters altitude) to search for new plants and to learn from their farming practices.
The easier to get-to large urban area is Tegucigalpa at 120 Kms. There are about three daily bus departures to and arrivals from Tegucigalpa. Cost is about six US dollars and it takes about 3.5 hours transit time. I travel to Tegucigalpa once per month to buy supplies and some food items not available in town. You are welcome to travel along. The new international airport (XPL) in Comayagua is 80 Km away. Two daily buses (cost ~8 US $) are available and the ride is through pristine mountain scenery.
Banking and ATM services are not available in Minas de Oro.
As an adolescent many years ago, I was an exchange student to the United States so, I do appreciate the life-energizing experiences Workaway may provide for you and for me, as your host.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 3-4 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (13)
We have had an amazing three weeks meeting Miguel, Oro and Plata, learning about the history of Central America and Honduras, eating delicious food and having wonderful engaging conversations about everything! Miguel’s… read more
Well what can we say… one of the best experiences we could have asked for (particularly for our first workaway). Miguel you are wise, patient, interesting and own lots of fun DIY tools to play around with. Creativity is encouraged… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
We have had an amazing three weeks meeting Miguel, Oro and Plata, learning about the history of Central America and Honduras, eating delicious food and having wonderful engaging conversations about everything! Miguel’s… read more
Well what can we say… one of the best experiences we could have asked for (particularly for our first workaway). Miguel you are wise, patient, interesting and own lots of fun DIY tools to play around with. Creativity is encouraged… read more
we spent two weeks in Minas de Oro with Miguel and enjoyed every single moment there
The place is awesome, you have your own room and a veranda with a fantastic mural.
Miguel is welcoming, he loves to share stories, knows a lot about Honduras, he’s passionate about flowers and he’s got two cute dogs, Oro and Plata.
The… read more
Belle rencontre de cet homme et de ses chiens.
Nous repartons avec pleins de bons souvenirs d oiseaux, de papillons et bien sûr de rochers !
I had a really nice stay in Minas de Oro, the house is beautiful with so many different kind of flowers and butterflies.
Miguel is that person that is rare to find in the world and is hidden in another… read more
Not only is Miguel’s corner of Honduras incredibly vibrant with rich culture, fascinating people and gorgeous wildlife, but Miguel went the extra mile to make us feel… read more
Miguel has a beautiful home and garden. We enjoyed our time working in the garden, our long and fascinating conversations with Miguel and our long walks in and around Minas de Oro.
We really… read more
It was an outstanding stay. Miguel provides you with the feeling of being at home through his "mi casa tu casa" approach. The house and its surroundings provide so many opportunities to chill, and you will always find something to help Miguel with improving the… read more
Thank you Miguel for this beautiful time, getting to know Minas de Oro and a lot about nature, permaculture and life in between the mountains of Honduras!
