The image shows an older man standing in front of a brick wall, wearing a gray t-shirt with the phrase \"DONT WORRY BEER HAPPY\" in colorful letters.
The image features a vibrant mandala-style artwork and a portrait of a man with long hair, both displayed on a white wall.
The image depicts a vibrant, abstract painting featuring a dog, flowers, and mountains on a light blue background, with a signature in the bottom-right corner.
The image depicts a serene garden scene featuring a pond with koi fish, surrounded by lush greenery, statues, and decorative elements, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
The image depicts a vibrant garden scene with a table adorned with a red tablecloth and colorful figurines, surrounded by lush greenery and potted plants.
The image depicts an older man sitting on a couch, playing a drum with a brown body and pink strings, wearing a plaid shirt and blue jeans.
The image depicts a group of dogs lounging on a concrete patio, with a black metal gate and red building in the background, surrounded by trees and plants.
The image shows a sign with the words \"SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES\" in white text on a green background, with a small logo in the bottom right corner. The sign is likely promoting a local business or community event.
The image shows a group of people engaged in a craft activity, with a collection of colorful items and materials scattered around them, likely for a creative or artistic purpose.
The image depicts a vibrant marketplace with a woman in a blue dress walking down a narrow corridor lined with colorful clothing and textiles, surrounded by people shopping.
The image depicts a bustling market stall, showcasing an assortment of herbs and spices in large white sacks and glass jars, with two individuals standing amidst the vibrant display.
The image depicts an older man reclining on a couch, surrounded by blue and white pillows, with his head resting on one and his legs extended on another.
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The image depicts a woman sitting at a table, playing with a tower of colorful blocks, showcasing her focus and concentration in a fun and engaging activity.
An older man with white hair and beard stands in a yoga pose in front of a yellow wall, wearing colorful clothing, with his hands raised above his head.
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Learn mandala weaving, and enjoy an amazing cultural and artistic experience in Teotitlán de Valle, Mexico

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    27 Apr 2025

  • Reply rate

    Reply rate

    100.0 %

    Usually responds within 1 day

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    10

  • Email verified

    Email verified

Badges (3)

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Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    I can use some general help around my new home in Teotitlán de Valle. Right now my calendar for accepting guests is wide open. One guest at a time only, please.
    ***************

    Hello, my name is Jay, and I'm a 80 year old long time weaver of Ojos de Dios mandalas, and am well known amongst fellow yarn mandala weavers for introducing the modern version of this ancient art to Mexico and other places around the world. Google my full name, -ask me for it- , and hit "images" to see many examples of my work. I also founded a popular facebook page devoted to the art. Recently I'm much more focused on oil pastel drawings rather than mandala weaving.

    Evan so, I'd consider taking an apprentices to help with both internet teaching, and who wants to learn the weaving techniques themselves. Help with promoting my instructions is a real plus. I had apprentices when I lived in Asheville, North Carolina, who eventually took over my successful etsy shop. Also workawayers who simply want to cook meals and provide elderly companionship are encouraged to apply.

    I have many references from couchsurfers, where I have hosted over 100 travelers totally from 39 different countries, and have received only positive references.

    I am a non-smoker, and have zero tolerance for marijuana smoking or other related drugs in my apartment. I drink the occasional beer, but tolerate only limited drinking.

    Eating a healthy diet is important to me, and I like to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. My meals are mostly vegetarian, but at times I eat fish or chicken. Actually, the amount of meat I eat fluctuates a lot, so you should have tolerance for my possible meat eating. I can not eat much of heavy starches or refined sugars: potatoes, wheat, white rice etc. Best for me is a high protein and whole grains with non-starchy vegetables. I walk most every day, and also do yoga and other workouts frequently. Sometimes though physical limitations put a serious halt to anything strenuous. Simple companionship is very meaningful to me

    My current residence has TEN dogs, so being a dog lover helps!
    In my new location, I'm definitely hosting only one workawayer at a time.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Elderly Companionship
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • Interests

    Interests

    Books
    Performing arts
    Plant care
    Animals
    History
    Cooking & food
    Art & design
    Writing
    Drawing & painting
    Photography
    Languages
    Music
    DIY & crafts
    Hiking
    Yoga / Wellness
    Nature
    LGBTQ
    Self development
    Movies & TV
    Culture
    Pets
    Vegetarian or vegan
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Teotitlán is an amazing cultural and artistic experience. Also, you can learn from me, through learning the actual weaving of my Ojos de Dios yarn mandalas ..... a creative skill both meditative and delightful to give as gifts and possibly to sell as well.

  • Help

    Help

    Fluency in Spanish is greatly desirable, as my own Spanish is minimal. so helping me learn very handy, as well as general help around the house, especially with cooking. Meals here tend to be simple and vegetarian, but at times I chicken or fish also. Often ready made foods from local vendors are also used, such as tamales or tacos.

    There is an opportunity here to learn both weaving of yarn mandalas and marketing them, as well as teaching others. I could use help with finding online students through social media.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Intermediate

    This host offers a language exchange
    I like English/Spanish language exchange.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    I am currently living in an amazing apartment, with two other apartments on the property, which includes many plants, bird, and TEN dogs. I have a large spare bedroom, but am looking for an apartment mate, so that might change at any moment.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Its an hour or more, including time waiting for busses, to get into Oaxaca City.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    Very slow internet in my new home in Teotitlán de Valle. Amazingly though, even with speeds around 7mps, I can usually stream movies, or watch my fav NBA team, Denver Nuggets, play basketball live.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    limited parking nearby

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Where I am living now has NINE dogs, any more pets might be a problem.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    One

Host ref number: 917883788746

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Photos

The image features a vibrant mandala-style artwork and a portrait of a man with long hair, both displayed on a white wall.
The image depicts a vibrant, abstract painting featuring a dog, flowers, and mountains on a light blue background, with a signature in the bottom-right corner.
The image depicts a serene garden scene featuring a pond with koi fish, surrounded by lush greenery, statues, and decorative elements, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
The image depicts a vibrant garden scene with a table adorned with a red tablecloth and colorful figurines, surrounded by lush greenery and potted plants.
The image shows an older man standing in front of a brick wall, wearing a gray t-shirt with the phrase \"DONT WORRY BEER HAPPY\" in colorful letters.
The image depicts an older man sitting on a couch, playing a drum with a brown body and pink strings, wearing a plaid shirt and blue jeans.
The image depicts a group of dogs lounging on a concrete patio, with a black metal gate and red building in the background, surrounded by trees and plants.
The image shows a sign with the words \"SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES\" in white text on a green background, with a small logo in the bottom right corner. The sign is likely promoting a local business or community event.
 Show all photos
The image shows a group of people engaged in a craft activity, with a collection of colorful items and materials scattered around them, likely for a creative or artistic purpose.
The image depicts a vibrant marketplace with a woman in a blue dress walking down a narrow corridor lined with colorful clothing and textiles, surrounded by people shopping.
The image depicts a bustling market stall, showcasing an assortment of herbs and spices in large white sacks and glass jars, with two individuals standing amidst the vibrant display.
The image depicts an older man reclining on a couch, surrounded by blue and white pillows, with his head resting on one and his legs extended on another.
The image depicts a man and woman posing for a selfie in a picturesque rural setting, with rolling hills and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
The image depicts a woman sitting at a table, playing with a tower of colorful blocks, showcasing her focus and concentration in a fun and engaging activity.
An older man with white hair and beard stands in a yoga pose in front of a yellow wall, wearing colorful clothing, with his hands raised above his head.

Feedback

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Accuracy of profile:
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Cultural exchange:
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Communication:
(4.8)

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