Interested in artists, gardening/farmers and builders to help with ideas, bamboo and big smiles in Kerala, India

Details

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  Description

  This space hopes to be a playful lab for ecofriendly, regenerative and creatives ways of doing things- whether it is working with coconut, zero-till farming, water preservation, mud/ bamboo works or art-based awareness- our imagination (and execution) being the limits to it. I love retelling and exploring the many stories of this land and beyond so I am all ears also :)
  
  Above everything, we are in this for a good experience, so please feel free to speak your mind about anything and everything. Our experience here is of play- and we try to make sure it is always that - PLAY!
  
  Some ideas we are dabbling with: Zero-till farming, establishing routine surveys of air-water & soil quality, natural buildings, upcycling (currently trying to find discarded bath-tub or fridge of sorts to upcycle into an open-air dipping station in the farm to beat the heat)- + much more
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  The grass and weeds are way overgrown- the wildness is good but maybe I was away for too long this time.
  
  Selective WEEDING & COOKING is the need of the hour, would you like to help?
  WEEDING involves removing knee high weeds by hand from the base of coconuts, nutmegs...
  
  Some basic BAMBOO projects are planned- sourcing bamboo downriver, bringing then on kayaks to our place to shape into a cover for the water-tank, and a shade for the balcony maybe. Open to other ideas too.
  
  Utilizing PAINT to art ( tribal stick figures)
  
  Cleaning/SCRUBBING the water-tank & well
  
  Sewing/ STITCHING up the mosquito-nets on the windows
  
  A DRIP IRRIGATION system, with large and small feeder pipes- fitted to an outside tap
  
  BUILDING an outside fire place- for cooking. A simple elevated mudbrick- fire is one way
  
  Using reclaimed Aluminum FENCING to resetup walls on two sides of our land- where trees fell and destroyed parts of the wall
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  See what fits your interest and duration of stay here or we may brainstorm other ideas.
  
  
  We will stock up the kitchen with the local farm-store produce.
  
  I will keep things interesting for you by showing you very local spots and trails
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  If time permits- we will make a trip to hidden backwater spot where the freshest & sweetest coconut sap juices flow abundantly. It is the best Toddy in all of Kerala- let no previous experience discourage you.
  
  I am currently going with the flow, waiting for the breeze to take me weightless to next plans, but if the breeze blows you my way - that will be our project for now.
  
  More about me:
  
  My keen interests are story-telling educating (making science fun and interesting), devising sustainable and independent ways of living, contributing towards solving social issues like waste management, flora/fauna preservation, historical and cultural contexts, exploring art
  
  I think of myself as a flaneur, grateful to be basking in the magic that surrounds us.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Elderly Companionship

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Hospitality/Tourism

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You can get an immersive look into the village life. I am drawn to the old ways, including the history of this land, which I love to share. Trips to the local toddy shop, eateries and view points is my routine- you may join when keen.

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  Help

  As far as farming goes, we follow zero-till farming or Zero-effort farming (:)), which is not really zero-effort but close enough. We try to let things grow as they want to, with minimal intervention, creating a vibrant eco-system. We do try to create a little space around our harvest plants like turmeric, black pepper, passion fruit etc
  
  Building mud, bamboo, clay structures, incorporating sustainable waste - management and energy systems like biogas systems etc are all part of the plans for the future. I am also keen to try many traditional recipes for farming, mosquito repellents etc.
  
  Being riverside, we have kayaks to ride the water roads. No surprise here that water roads are way more fun than tar roads. Also water roads during sunrise and sunset is magic. Interested individuals could help with clearing the waterways near our home among other things.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Hindi: Fluent
  Malayalam: Fluent
  Arabic: Beginner
  Spanish: Beginner

  This 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.
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  Accommodation

  We have a 3 bedroom house (with attached bathrooms): A room for myself, a room for workawayers and a room for my parents and family who drop by occasionally. There is also a separate space in the back, with an old kitchen, sleeping space and eastern toilet- which we hope to revitalize soon enough.
  
  As far as eateries close by, we do have a generational breakfast place by the house- open from 6 AM to 9:30- 10:00 AM.
  
  There is also lunch served by Kudumbshree (women's collective) about 500 meters away. It has been especially good lately, they start serving at noon upto 2 PM- sometimes 2:30- 3PM. Also they are open Monday through Friday (some Saturdays).

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  What else ...

  Kumarakom backwaters are very close to us, so is Kottayam town. There are buses every 15 minutes There is a lot of history and scenery in the area that I can direct you to. Thazthanagady Juma Masjid, CMS College, Thirunakkara Temple, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary among many others. Also our place is equidistant from Thekkedy, Varkala, Allappey etc (about 2-3 hours from all these places). You can reach Allappey by ferry boat (costs about Rs 20/ ticket) and get a nice 2-3 hour boat ride through the lake.

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  We do have a good internet connection

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We can take in pets. There is plenty of verandah space and field in the front which would work well.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  4 hours a day, 5 days a week

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