Volunteering

Casa De Sirena


When I left to come to South America on my own, I had no idea really where I would go, what I would do and how I would pass my days.
Seems crazy, but I just did not think about it.


I flew into Bogota and had a lot of fun meeting other travellers in hostels, sightseeing, chatting and moving on to the next fascinating place.


I decided I wanted to stay put for a while, so went onto the HelpX website to find somewhere to volunteer. I wanted to learn about living out here, give back and immerse mycellf in one of the villages.


At this point my Spanish was nada and this is important, I could understand Jack shit.
I saw this American woman had moved to this fishing village and set up her dream home, and was looking for volunteers. I messaged her, she facetimed me, and a few weeks later I arrived here.


I was blown away by the house. It is still a work in progress but for me it is like a dream from a kid.
I always dreamt of living on a forest or a raft? Go figure, the nomad has been in my since forever.


I had no idea what I was going to be doing either lol.
There were already 4 others here helping when I arrived. 2 were curing the bamboo and varnishing, 2 were doing something downstairs with wood and seemed to be able to fix things, which I clearly could not be part of, so I got a brush and started curing and varnishing.
I did not bring old clothes, so note to cellf, be a bit more prepared.
Turns out it was so hot that I was in my bikini or swimsuit anyway, so it was all good.
And strangely rewarding.
Sirena is a character of monumental proportions, I just loved her, we hit it off immediately.
The fact that she moved Continent at 50 is so inspiring to me, most of us never move out our town. It is a huge thing to do, especially when you do not know the language, or the culture.
She had seen this place in a dream when she was 21 and has been here for 12 years.
There is another story behind it, but that is hers to tell. It has not been easy, and she ran out of money, but not Spirit and drive.


So the workaway and helpx sites have allowed her to utilise this incredible space to further her dream and give people like me an opportunity to live her for next to nothing.


Mompiche is a step back in time, where literally no one speaks English. The fishing boats go out, but stay in sight of shore, they bring in enough food for today.


There is good surf here too with a large safe beach, and that is the thing that I believe will blow this place up, tourists are finding it, and it will inevitably change, as everywhere does.
My friends have recently been to Costa Rica, beautiful, but full of expats and tourists, everyone speaking English, its a different experience.


I have been going along to help at some English classes which is fun, some of the locals, plus a 70 year old tuc tuc driver who want to communicate with the tourists and understand how valuable that will be for them.

I have even had my own private yoga studio!


I have helped Sirena with a website, blog, some marketing ideas and I suppose refreshed her enthusiasm of the vision for this magnificent Tree House.


She knows everyone and has a friend, the local Tarzan and jungle expert Ramone who will take you on an amazingly education and inspriational tour for only $12.
Her cooking is delicious, breakfast and dinners can be part of the deal, I highly recommend you take this up, you will be fed fresh, delicious and nutritious meals.
I have spent nearly 3 weeks here and already feel a bit sad about leaving.
I 100% recommend coming here if you are open minded, love nature and want to experience this form of Glamping.
I loved it.