Enjoy the natural landscape and culture in Caribe, Colombia

Details

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  Description

  Located 15 minutes from the tourist town Palomino, Rio Ancho is clam, peaceful and growing. You will be lulled to sleep by the sound the river directly in front of the house. Refreshing to bathe in. There are many different areas along the river to enjoy including Pozo Azul, the local favorite. The Kogis walk in front of my house daily. You may have the opportunity to purchase one of their unique bags directly from them. The energy of the river rejuvenates. Come experience it and connect with Madre Sierra.Surrounded by nature, take a leisurely walk up to the Indigenous town Tungeka. Highly recommend!
  
  I have 2 cats. I live in newly finished 3 bedroom house. Finally completed after 8years. The house has electricity and running water, can be boiled to drink. Gas stove. I have a fridge, so yeah cold water and ice.
  The is no internet, however there are a few places that sell internet connection. Claro is the only phone provider for the area. The power and signal do cut out occasionally. Not suitable for digital nomad.
  
  Transportation to and from town depends of the time and day. There is the taxi car service $6mil pesos each way. Mototaxi $10/12mil pesos... ALL TRANSPORT it is advised to barter and confirm the price before entering. After 630pm transport becomes limited and prices increase.
  
  This is a small town. There are few local Colombian "pubs". A few places that sell empanadas at night. Saturday's and Sunday's you can purchase Salchipapa and Hamburgers. There are two restaurants that sell lunch and a bakery. My closest neighbors come from Argentina, Chile, Greece, Demark, and England. Everyone is welcoming.
  
  I am Canadian, from Vancouver. I have been travelling through, Australia, New Zealand, South America and Costa Rica through the past ten years. On impulse, I bought a cozy little piece of land in Colombia! Crazy right? Well... the vibe felt right and things connected, so I took the leap and invested.
  
  Why here you ask? I hear and see the birds, and frogs. Engage with natives, enjoy the natural landscape, culture and so much more. Colombia is diverse, not only in culture but in agriculture. I love waking up and being grateful to live in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains.
  
  The house is the start of a foundation for many activities. A place to rest one’s head, fill one’s belly, learn, share and experience. In the future I plan to open a cafeteria. Providing natural food made fresh from ingredients straight from, the garden. This is where I need your help.
  
  Sadly, I have no green thumb. I do have lots of land to work with. If you are passionate with gardening then this is your place. I have access to seedlings for grapes, passion fruit, grapefruit, bananas, plantains, herbs, papayas and more.
  In the future I plan to run projects with the local children. We have done clean up days as a community before.
  If you like nature and want a place to base yourself. This is for you. I have inner tubes to enjoy the river and cool down.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  House sitting
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  At night the sound of the river will lull you to sleep. Here is a place not far from cities, Santa Mart and Rio Hacha, 2 hrs away. Not far from tourism, Palomino, Minca, Park Tayrona, and Cuidad Perdida are places to experience . Here you can feel the energy, slow down, relax, take a breath and enjoy the now.
  Everyday the Kogi natives pass in front of the house. You can go into the mountains from the road directly infront and visit their communities. Often have the chance to buy their popular bags.

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  Help

  Looking for those with knowledge and experience in setting up gardens, both plants, fruits and vegetables. Any experience in landscaping and building terraces, both with cement and natural materials, specifically bottles. Can work independently. Willing to stay at least 2 weeks. Possibly of house sitting, after April. Great for an independent individual, a couple or two friends
  
  Projects: not limited too
  In the front of the house, together install a sprinkler system, dig underground. Are you familiar with doing this?
  Side of the house. Plant a herb garden, green beans and spinach, to name a few things. I would like to replant a lime tree, somewhere. I have ideas for bottle gardens or trestles. Have you made any of these before? I have the tools and materials. Work together and share knowledge.
  Terraces in the back: Cement bottle wall. Do you know how to build a wall with bottles, wire and cement? If yes, please teach me. I’d love to learn. I have soo many bottles waiting to be cemented. Anyone know natural reinforcing methods. The shoulder wants to slide. Trying to avoid cement.
  Upper Pad. Plant flowers around the edge. Reinforce the back fence.
  House: Always general maintenance and yard work
  
  If you are keen on several of these projects. We can discuss longer a stay.
  When you message me, please tell me:
  1. A bit about yourself.
  2. What is your purpose for visiting this region?
  3. How can you see yourself helping with one of my projects.
  4. What time line do you see for the project.
  
  Must be able to work independently at times. This is a place to relax, there is little night life here or places to eat out. It is a place to absorb the energy of Madre Sierra and bask in nature's elements.
  Knowledge of how to use basic tools a bonus ie a machete, drill, saw manual and electric.
  **Basic Spanish is a must if you are going to enjoy here to its fullest with the locals.
  The neighbours here love explaining why they choose to live within nature and hearing about other places. Often invite you in to share a typical plate of the region.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  Tengo basico español.. quiero hacer mejor. Puedo cambio lecciones de ingles converascion.
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  Accommodation

  Accommodation: Couple: room with double bed. Individual: separate room with a single bed. Shared bathroom. Sheets provided. Please bring a sleeping bag if you get cold easily, as it can get cool at night. Cold running water, however conversation is encouraged. Accommodation and basis breakfast provided, coffee, granola or oatmeal with fruit or arepa with egg. Lunch and dinner can be share or made separate. Access to the kitchen is provided. No on site laundry, I hand wash mine.
  
  Rio Ancho is about 2hrs from Santa Marta. Make sure you get on a bus going to Rio Hacha or Maico, get off after Palomino, stress Rio Ancho, before Mingueo. If you don’t ask most buses stop at Palomino and then you have to make another connection to Rio Ancho. Cost of transportation not included
  
  At the moment only Claro phone company works in this town. SIM cards can bought in several stores in town. There are a few internet shop in town, open almost everyday.
  
  As for cash machine. Mingueo the town over has a few machines. It general cost $6mil pesos each way.
  
  Please be aware that this is the jungle, yes there are insects, spiders, snakes, poisonous ones too, scorpions, and ticks, so take precautions, bring boots if you have them, long sleeves shirts, long pants ( I had to buy some after 3 days. Bug repellent, NoPicka, works well. The days can be hot and humid average 30 degrees.
  
  
  List of things encouraged to bring: not limited to
  
  Sleeping bag
  
  Long sleeve blouse and pants
  
  High rubber boots
  
  Solar lamp or flashlight
  
  Towel
  
  Hat
  
  Refillable water bottle
  
  Bug repellent
  
  Sunscreen

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  What else ...

  In your free time you can enjoy the river, walk up into the Sierra Nevada. There is an indigenous community that are open to tours.
  There are several natural water pools and waterfalls with 30minutes to a few hours walk from the town. Although I dont know where all are, several locals know and would love to show you. Great way to know a place as they do. They will show where its safe to dive in from and usually what fruits you can eat along the way. So test you Spanish and see the town through their eyes.
  
  Go to palomino and enjoy the beach., 20mins away There is transport in the night but kind of adventurous. Usually involves bartering for a price to stand in the front of a bus. If your ok with that you can usual get transport till 11:30pm/2:30am
  To around 6pm there are the local taxis and motorbikes. After sunset prices increase as options decrease.
  
  Trips may be organized as a group to go to Cabo de Vella. There is also another beach 6Km away the Gaviotas. entry fee charged. Need to pay for a Moto taxi, be sure to get a number for a pickup or arrange a time.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is space for a camper van on the road in front of the house,

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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