Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
23 Apr 2024
Reply rate
90.9 %
Usually responds within 9 days
Feedback
2
Email verified
Details
Description
Greetings from the Himalayas! My name is Simone from California originally. I am now living and working together with a local family here in India. Narayan and his family are nestled at 1800 meters in the village of Jibhi in Banjar Valley. We have created a home-stay consisting of three eco-friendly guest cottages Built with stone, cedar pine and mud with views of the mountains and river. Besides the cottages we are busy with organic farming on the surrounding land. Fruit trees plus a variety of vegetables and flowers.
I have another work-away profile you can check out to know more about me for Simone's Kitchen in Antwerp, Belgium. I have spent the last 3 years there and now with the restaurant and B&B running I have returned to India to develop further the projects I started here more than 7 years ago. My passion is plant-based cooking and healthy lifestyle. I practice yoga and love to hike in the surrounding nature.
There is so much to do here as we continue to grow and expand our project, we are busy with a forth cottage as well as a new kitchen not to mention the house I am building further up the mountain in the village of Dhar. We would like to have someone who appreciates a natural rustic lifestyle that isn't afraid of work and is interested in learning about the local culture and way of life to come join us.
In exchange for 5 hours/day 5 days/week we can provide food and a lovely sleeping room with spacious shared veranda and detached bathroom with hot shower, toilet and sink.
We prefer longer stays as it takes time for people to settle into life in India.
About the area
Countless treks and day hikes. Forests, rivers and waterfalls. Jalori Pass is just 10 km up the road with fantastic views at 3,150 meters. From there you can hike to Raghupur fort and Sreul lake. You can also visit Chaihani fort, which is a 1600 year old 13 story fort built exclusively with wood and stone.
The Climate
This area is beautiful and warm from April thru October. The rainy season is approximately mid July to beginning of Sept. In November it starts to get cold at night and in the mornings but days are most often warm and sunny. The wood burning stove gets installed in November which makes it warm and cozy. So visiting in the winter is also an option.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Farmstay help
Language practice
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
India is a very special place to spend time not only to learn about the rich Indian culture but also to learn about yourself.
The local people of Himachal Pradesh enjoy a hard working yet relaxed lifestyle. They live a simple good life close to the land. Locals farm and raise animals. Run home-stays and guide treks to show visitors the amazing nature.
The local culture is still alive here and we are doing what we can to foster the preservation of their traditional ways. For example grains are milled to flour in traditional water mills set on the edge of the small rivers and streams, oxen are used to till the land for farming, traditional garments are woven on hand-looms, etc
It is wonderful to learn about the local flora and fauna, to explore the mountains and visit the local surrounding villages and temples.
As western culture creeps in it is increasingly important to recognize and value the local traditional ways, I believe that when visitors (such as yourself) show genuine interest in the local culture this also fosters the locals to take pride and preserve their traditions.
You can learn some of the local language and also Hindi which is widely spoken here.
I love learning about the local cuisine, cooking with the women and learning the different dishes has given me great joy, I don't seem to have born with the chapatti gene (mine don't turn out perfectly round!) but I love practicing and eating all the experiments of course!
Help
We need help with gardening, building, cleaning and language practice
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Hindi: Beginner
Japanese: Beginner
Accommodation
In exchange for 5 hours/day 5 days/week we can provide food and a lovely sleeping room with spacious shared veranda and detached bathroom with hot shower, toilet and sink.
Meals are generally served 2 x / day - roughly around 10am and 7pm
Meals consist of grains, beans and vegetables, local as much as possible.
The family sometimes eat meat but are mostly vegetarian.
When I cook I prepare local style Indian dishes and occasionally meals that are more European.
What else ...
In order to reach us you need to first arrive in Delhi. From Delhi you can take a deluxe volvo bus (12 hours) and then a taxi for about 1.5 hours. Alternatively you can fly to Bhuntar and from there it is just a 2 - 2.5 hour taxi ride to reach us.
If you decide to come work with us I will be happy to help you with your travel arrangements.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (1)
I learned so much about farming in the mountains, how to harvest, fertilize, move the land, preparing for the winter, even milking the cow!
I'm super thankful for the… read more
Feedback
I learned so much about farming in the mountains, how to harvest, fertilize, move the land, preparing for the winter, even milking the cow!
I'm super thankful for the… read more
