Help out and play this winter in sunny Baja, Mexico

Detalles

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  Descripción

  It is important that you read this entire profile!!
  
  This volunteer opportunity is normally only available during the "winter" months of November through March and sometimes in April
  
  Rich and Shari are retired, living in Idaho, USA, but spending the winter months in beautiful Baja Mexico. We have a beachside property near the growing village of El Sargento, not too far from La Paz, BCS.
  
  We are non-smokers, interested in health conscious, ecologically responsible lifestyles, respecting different cultures and ideas. Shari is very interested in music, being a semi-retired piano and voice teacher. Rich is a competent builder and handyman. If you want to learn building, maintenance or repair skills and would like to volunteer assistance while gaining knowledge, we welcome your request!

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Ayuda en proyectos ecológicos

  Jardinería

  Construcción y bricolaje

  Mantenimiento general
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Since we do not live here full time, nor are of Mexican or Spanish American heritage, the "Mexican" cultural experience we can offer you is limited. We know some of Mexican holidays, customs and history, and can help you learn or practice more Spanish (although we are only intermediate level speakers). However, there are many opportunities to experience more culture and language within the community.
  Directly we can teach you about the US and primarily western culture plus provide you practice with your English. In addition, Shari has a great deal of experience with teaching and sharing musical and theatrical knowledge and talent. Rich is very knowledgeable about many practical things, especially mechanical, electrical and most things regarding the construction professions.

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  Ayuda

  We host volunteers of all ages, but volunteers must be fit and reasonably strong as some of your assistance may involve lifting and moving moderately weighted objects. Building or maintenance skills, and familiarity with tools are not necessary, but would be beneficial. The ability to work safely, listen carefully, pay attention to details, remember instructions, ask pertinent questions, and learn simple skills is important.
  
  Volunteer tasks that can be performed, learned or practiced include: building block and/or stone retaining/privacy walls; clean and sand surfaces; make and install shelves, doors and cabinets; general woodworking; concrete forming/ placement/ and finishing; plastering & stucco; all types of painting; sheet-rock installation & finishing; simple electrical/plumbing; automobile maintenance/repair; arc welding; vegetable gardening and composting; landscaping with rocks and plants; moving and leveling soil; lifting and positioning building components; and general labor.
  
  You could also volunteer help with general maintenance, which might include grounds cleanup, pruning select vegetation, manual watering, fertilizing, possible transplantation or removal of plants, rust removal, re-painting, and fence repair.

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  Idiomas

  Idiomas hablados
  Inglés: Fluido
  Español: Intermedio

  Este anfitrión ofrece intercambio de idiomas
  Would like to improve my intermediate Spanish. Can share beginning/intermediate Spanish and Fluent English.
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  Alojamiento

  A simple room next to our workshop with a double bed, table and chairs is available. We can also offer tenting or a place to park your own van, trailer or RV (we have electrical, water and sewage connections).
  
  A bath area with flushing toilet and shower, plus a small kitchen/cooking space with gas stove, is available for use by volunteers (hosts have a separate home).
  
  We expect volunteers to keep their bath and kitchen spaces, clean and reasonably tidy also. Respect and consideration is valued.

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  Algo más...

  Because we receive a fairly high number of requests each season, and changing volunteers in and out of our accommodations can be disruptive, under most circumstances we ask for a minimum stay of 4 weeks. However, we may allow for a briefer stay under special conditions. We strongly honor OUR commitments to host you, so if you agree to come for a set period of time we expect you to honor that commitment also. Granted, there are some circumstances that require leaving early (such as injury, health or family issues), but your spontaneous change in desires or plans may incur our disapproval. Hopefully you understand this. If you have any concerns that might affect your commitment to stay, please discuss this prior to arrival.
  
  We allow pets only if you are bringing an RV where the pets will primarily stay, they are well behaved, and will not cause ANY problems. Pets are NOT allowed to run loose on the property (cats included) and must be on a leash or closely monitored by you when outside of the RV. Pet excrement must be disposed of into our compost bin. Cat litter must be biodegradable.
  
  The hosts will provide food (or an allowance), Normally we ask that volunteers be responsible for their own cooking and meal preparation, however we enjoy eating together which usually takes the form of sharing responsibility for preparing group dinners. Proper cleanup is expected after food preparation to avoid pest invasion.
  
  We provide high speed (wireless) internet access. If you are a "power user" or reliant on an always stable connection, you may want to have a backup plan as connections can go down or be limited in speed in rare occasions.
  
  You may also have periodic use of some of our recreational equipment. We can provide limited transportation (via automobile) to La Paz, shopping and other nearby areas.
  
  The community of El Sargento is about 1 km away. It is another 4km to La Ventana. The area is a popular destination for water sports aficionados - mainly kite boarding, foiling, windsurfing - but also kayaking, SUP, sailing, scuba, snorkeling, swimming, fishing, whale/dolphin/sea-life watching and more. There is also excellent mountain biking, hiking and beach walking opportunities. The community has a decent artistic and musical population. We sometimes participate musically by attending and occasionally performing at local weekly "open mic" sessions. You can find Yoga and other miscellaneous classes, occasional music venues, various restaurants, and lots of small family run eateries. You may be able to join local multicultural recreational groups that play Pickle-ball, go hiking, mountain biking and more. There are plenty of Spanish speaking locals and a large number of English/French/German/(more) speaking seasonal "snowbirds" (who winter in the area) if you want to chat in different languages.
  
  Nearby La Paz is a busy city with just about everything. There is limited bus transport to La Paz and frequent buses from La Paz to other major towns and cities. Hitchhiking is fairly easy here in the peninsula (according to prior volunteers).
  
  We have a wide,uncrowded, sandy beach just in front of our 3 acre property and a fantastic view of the sea and Isla Cerralvo. Sea turtles sometimes lay their eggs here, so you might get the opportunity to see them hatch if lucky. You can occasionally see jumping rays, porpoises, plenty of sea birds, underwater marine life and even whales out in the ocean off our beach. Our neighborhood is normally quiet, with mostly native flora being home to small wildlife (birds, ground squirrels, rabbits, etc.). We like campfires, music, sharing experiences, stories and intellectual conversations with our volunteers, playing games, laughing and having fun.
  
  Normal temperatures in winter are ideal, with a good amount of sunshine, warm days, cool evenings (great for sleeping). Humidity at that time is relatively low for such close proximity to the ocean. It can be quite windy at times (almost every afternoon). Not too many pesty insects - and most reptiles are hibernating or keeping a low profile. Sunrises are often dramatic - aglow in reds and oranges - especially when weather brings in more cloud cover. We have plenty of transitory birds (including hummingbirds) visiting this time of year.
  
  We prefer volunteers with feedback. In lieu of that, we may ask for personal references.
  
  We always leave feedback for volunteers staying with us. Our feedback has primarily been excellent. You can expect an honest, timely review from us if you stay here, and we also expect you to provide us with your feedback within 30 days of your departure.
  
  If you have a fully completed and informative profile with photos, and you submit a personalized request (instead of a standard cut-and-paste one), you stand a much better chance of being accepted.
  
  Here's an important part, so pay attention. We believe in respectful behavior and communication between hosts and volunteers. If we are having an "email dialogue" with you, we expect (and will provide) a response within a reasonable time frame.
  
  Make sure you include the words "cardon cactus" somewhere in your initial request . That way we are pretty certain you have read everything here and have carefully considered the information therein. Otherwise you may be refused.
  
  Congratulations you made it through this lengthy profile and we look forward to receiving your request. Cheers!

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  Un poco más de información

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    Acceso a Internet

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    Acceso a Internet limitado

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    Tenemos animales

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    Somos fumadores

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    Puede alojar familias

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  Espacio para aparcar autocaravanas

  Up to small Class A motorhome possible. Chemical free sewage dump connection, water hookup, 110v power connection available. "Van-lifers" welcome as workaway volunteers. Shower, toilet, laundry, water, limited 110v power available.

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Dos

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  Mis animales / mascotas

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