Join our team and learn about living in harmony with nature in Monguí, Colombia

Details

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  Description

  Hi there!
  
  I am Camilo, we are looking for people who wants to discover this very unique land, in the cold caribbean, up in the mountains, but very close to civilization. In 2017 I made the decision of coming to live in the mountains, leaving the big city (I grew up in Bogotá). My mom and I built a hostel, and in these years the project has evolved, as our way of understanding the mountains and the living in direct contact with nature.
  
  I speak fluent english, intermediate german and french, and I am learning hebrew. The temperature here is a nice cold, during the day may reach up to 24 °C and at night temperature is around 6°C. So we live in a constant autumn. This special range of temperatures allows fruit trees to grow, including apple, plum, peer, peach, fig, uchuva, curuva, granadilla, and of course grapevine. Also many aromatics, including mint, peppermint, rosemary, laurel, lavender, thyme, oregano, citron, and many others.
  
  I live with my parents (Aura and Antonio), my two dogs (Nala and Luna) and my cat (Pepa). My brother does not come too often. My parents don't speak english too good, so if you want to practice your spanish, they are more than happy to practice with you, and of course, share time together. I am also glad to help you to improve your spanish, you can help me at improving my hebrew or german.
  
  Our ecosystem is very unique, with the Páramos all around us, and of course the world famous Páramo de Ocetá. We are located in the mountains, in the way from Sogamoso to the towns of Monguí, Tópaga and Mongua. You can go by public transport to any place, and the main road is at just 200 meters of our home.
  
  The tasks that you will perform here vary day by day. We mainly need help with our social networks. I have three projects running (the hostel, a travel agency and a new chemical business). We need help at creating and posting content on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Also improving our websites. For the hostel and travel agency, the experiences include hiking to páramos (Páramo de Ocetá - the famous one), mountain biking, rock climbing and 5 different town tours. So to make content and to attract more people, of course you will need to live the experience. Many times we will do it together, but you can also do it on your own.
  
  When we have guests at the hostel, we hope that you can help us at being a good host. To talk with our guests, share time and experiences with them, and overall, to make the place to have a good energy and to bring some human warmth.
  
  For my chemical business I work with natural ingredients, then I sometimes need help at trimming aromatics, working on the farm, planting new trees, etc. At the moment I have developed a pain relief oil and an anti-bugs for pets. I am working on aromatizers. Creating content for these products and finding the best way to sell is a very welcomed help.
  
  Sometimes we all need to leave, then it is important that someone stays at home, take care of our pets and house. Also working on the garden, just taking out the weeds and grass. Sometimes just cleaning windows, brumming the floor, house care.
  
  You will not have a fixed daily schedule, and we expect that you can work without supervision. There are many tasks that must be done, and we are sure that volunteers can have really good skills, that in the end brings good results. Also we don't expect that you spend all your time on our duties, then it is important that you have your own projects and tasks, or your own way of spending your time, as living in the peace and quiet of the mountains can make you feel a bit lonely sometimes.
  
  To go climbing you need your own personal gear (Helmet, shoes and harness), those can also be rented in Sogamoso. I can give you a bike to go on tour. To go hiking, you just need some proper shoes and all the best energy. I practice Aikido and I go swimming once per week to Duitama, you are welcomed to join me on those activities.
  
  We offer you a private room, double bed, Hot water, private bathroom. Full access to the kitchen and laundry. Working speed internet. Drinking water. If you want to come with someone, we can arrange to give you a very fair price. We live in a house near to the hostel. It is very important to keep everything clean, as we are a hotel for our guests.
  
  We ask you to stay for at least 3 weeks, as creating a confidence bond is important. From time to time we would gladly eat together.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Help around the house

  Hospitality/Tourism

  Help with Computers/ Internet

  House sitting
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We are becoming a sustainable business, which includes economy, environment and people. If you want to learn about sustainability, this is your place.
  
  Small cities of Sogamoso and Duitama are at less than 40 minutes, Bogota is at just 3 hours of way, and also in the surroundings are a lot of small towns, with almost none foreign tourist, so if you want to find a really cool place away of the tourism mass, you are looking at it. There is a bouldering gym in Sogamoso, Olympic pool in Duitama.
  
  We can borrow you 1 bicycle, just keep it with good maintenance. It is great place to hike, páramos are all around us.
  
  From time to time we can go hiking together, or cycling, or climbing. Also you are welcome to spend the day with us in our daily activities. I practice Aikido, so I am always looking for a person to practice with.

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  Help

  Social networks and marketing: We need to post every day on the stories of Instagram. Creating Youtube videos, creating content for a blog (travelling, towns, plants, etc). Making reels. Increasing our followers and improving our way of selling.
  
  Being a good host: It is basically to be there and talk and be friendly to our guests. Sharing experiences and making them feel like at home. Doing the Check-in to our guests. Keep things clean and at its place.
  
  Language Exchange: I began learning hebrew. I also want to improve my german.
  
  Work at the farm/garden: We have a small garden at the hostel, and a small farm at my house. There is always something to do to keep the plants healthy and happy. I teach you the basics, and then you can keep on your own.
  
  General maintenance: Brooming the floor, cleaning the windows, the tables. Extra hand to make changes on the place.
  
  Feed the pets: That is only when none of us are at home.
  
  If you have any idea in mind, we can discuss about how to make it happen.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  German: Intermediate
  French: Intermediate
  Hebrew: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I started learning hebrew. I also want to improve my german.
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  Accommodation

  Double bed in a private room. Private bathroom. Access to the kitchen and laundry. Internet. Hot water.

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  What else ...

  Main road is at only 200 meters from the Hostel, transportation can be easily done by bus.

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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

  Yes. We have working speed Wi-fi

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

  

  Pepa (7 years)

  She is the queen!

  

  Nala (6 years)

  She is a very cute dog! She can be very nice, and at the same time she shows when something does not like to her.

  

  Luna

  She will be with you whenever she decides to

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