Mary Johana

& Rafael

Travel information

We are currently

Description

Hi there,
We are Joha and Rafa. Together we’re taking our “dream trip”.

We are a Colombian-Brazilian couple. We met in Barcelona (Spain) where we lived for two years before moving to Bogotá (Colombia). Since 2015, we have been living in Montevideo (Uruguay). Amid these relocations, we have always sought to travel and learn more about this vast world we inhabit. In 2024, we decided to pause our regular activities to embark on a sabbatical year in Asia. We plan to visit around 15 countries, aiming to immerse ourselves in the local culture, exchange knowledge, learn new lifestyles, and of course, try new flavors.

[Joha] I am Colombian, an architect, and I recently completed my doctoral studies in Urban Planning. I am a professor at the University of La República (Montevideo, Uruguay), and I am involved in projects with vulnerable communities. I am a native Spanish speaker, advanced in Portuguese, and intermediate in English. I am an organized individual and always prefer teamwork. I enjoy sports, especially running, and I have a fondness for sweet food. I thrive on constant changes and feel slightly uneasy when I find myself falling into a comfort zone where days become routine. My friends regard me as the adventurer of the group, the one who can always offer sound travel advice. In Rafa, I found my best partner for the “journey of life”.

[Rafa] I am Brazilian, trained as a publicist, and I work as a creative art director. I am a native Portuguese speaker, fluent in Spanish, and nearly advanced in English. I enjoy discussing topics I’m unfamiliar with, learning new things, taking leisurely walks, photography, Buddhism, beer, and food. I seldom use the term “dislike.” At times, I feel I know a bit about everything, but the one thing I’m certain of is that there’s still so much to learn. My friends describe me as having a calm and balanced personality. Personally, I see myself as an eclectic individual who tends to follow a middle path. Joha is always by my side, making traversing this path even more beautiful. :)

Drawing from our experiences, we can contribute to language teaching, sustainable project work, support for disadvantaged communities, and the creation of audiovisual content. We are always open to learning other skills through which we can assist others. Together, besides offering help wherever possible, we aim for a cultural exchange focused on learning more about the local culture.

We appreciate you reading this far, and we hope to meet you in person soon🙂

Warm regards.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
Spanish: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
English: Intermediate

More details about my language interests
It would be great to learn your local language. We can teach, at an advanced level, Spanish and Portuguese. And at a basic level, English.

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Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn

We're interested in:  

Being an elderly companion

Babysitting and creative play

Hospitality/Tourism

General Maintenance

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Some knowledge of:  

Eco Projects

Gardening

Animal Care

Life at a Farmstay

Creating/ Cooking family meals

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Able to teach about:  

Charity Work

Art Projects

Languages

Teaching

DIY and building projects

Helping around the house

Helping with Computers/ Internet

More details about your skills

[Joha] I have engaged in various facets of architecture. My experience spans from working in architectural firms as a draftsman and designer, to managing construction sites. Concurrently, I have held academic positions at several universities in Colombia and Uruguay. Over the past 4 years, my focus has shifted more towards academia. I have been teaching and spearheading research projects aimed at enhancing the living conditions in informal, vulnerable, and precarious areas. My approach involves collaborating with local communities to devise strategies that contribute to improving the quality of life in their neighborhoods.

[Rafa] For 18 years, I have served in advertising agencies across various countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, and Panama, in the capacity of a Creative Art Director. I have handled diverse clients from multiple sectors, with a preference for projects that lean towards social impact and offer value beyond commercial interests.

Together, we have been involved in remarkable community projects. In Bogotá, Colombia, we lent our support to an organization dedicated to feeding children in a highly disadvantaged neighborhood. Our responsibilities included preparing meals, serving food, assisting the younger ones with their meals, and ensuring everything was clean afterwards. In Montevideo, Uruguay, we have been contributing to a community kitchen that caters to individuals living on the streets. Similarly, our tasks involve cooking, distributing meals, and maintaining cleanliness in the dining area.

[Joha] In Montevideo, through the projects I undertake at the university, I have forged wonderful connections with several communities in precarious and vulnerable neighborhoods. Together, we have embarked on self-construction projects for community spaces, children’s squares, and infrastructure for community kitchens. In these neighborhoods, we organize ‘Ollas Populares’ (preparation of food for those most in need), where I contribute by cooking and distributing food.
In all these projects, the most meaningful aspect for us has been the people we have met and been able to assist, and the enduring bonds of affection that we have formed over time.

[Rafa] In Spain, I had the opportunity to collaborate with an eco-sustainable community for three weeks through WWOOF. We were a team of four volunteers, working five hours a day, five days a week. Our tasks included bioconstruction, restoration of the main house, maintenance of the chicken coop, and general field work such as planting and harvesting. It was an enriching experience that provided lifelong learnings and friendships. Additionally, in Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay, I volunteered sporadically in various organizations, assisting in serving food to the underprivileged, teaching slack-line to children, and creating audiovisual content, among other activities.

Age

35 & 37

What else ...

We have been together for 12 years, and one of the passions that binds us most is our love for travel. We have resided in four countries: Colombia, Spain, Brazil, and currently, Uruguay. Our journeys have taken us to various countries in Europe, including Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, among others. In Latin America, we have visited remarkable places in countries like Chile, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, and more. We embarked on a month-long journey along the West Coast of the US and celebrated our honeymoon in New York. :)

Each trip has been an incredible adventure, leaving us with unforgettable memories. What we cherish most is forging connections with local people, immersing ourselves in their customs, savoring their everyday cuisine, and making new friends.

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements