Kyle

United States
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Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Activities i am interested in:
Sustainable living, yoga, climbing, biking, cooking, reading, learning as much as I can, journaling, foraging, native cultures and entheogenic plants
Description
Hello! 
I’m Kyle, American, 36 years old, who is taking a break from the intense schedule of the film industry to enjoy my life and focus on personal growth. I have professional experience working in all kinds of fields, from various construction trades, to advertising, and tv to professional alpaca shearing. The thread that ties them all together is my passion for working with my hands and expressing myself creatively. For years I’ve saved money to travel but have continued to push it to the back burner every time the next bigger better project came my way. This is the year I decided to be more intentional about where I place my energy and slow down to finally change things.

The last TV show I was working on wrapped in October and I’ve been traveling/volunteering since the beginning of December.

I love to experience new cultures, meet people, share experiences, try new food, and share the things I’m passionate about with others. I grew up in a small town in the midwest but moved to the mountains of Colorado as soon as I was on my own. I’ve always loved being outdoors and close to nature and that love really grew when I lived somewhere I could be outside everyday snowboarding or hiking in such a beautiful environment. Ten years ago I had my first experience volunteering on an organic farm in Hawaii through WWOOF where I gained valuable experience working with aquaponics systems and learning about sustainable farming methods. Since then I’ve worked on farms in 48 states, eventually settling down in Chicago 8 years ago taking a job as a professional photographer. The thing I love about living in a big city is the ability to have access to art and foods and cultures from all around the world. Four years ago I began working in the film industry, and while I genuinely love being part of something artistic, after going non-stop for so long the time has come to take a step away and invest in myself and explore all the places I have yet to see.

What I bring to the table:
- Great mood and positive views on life, Carpe diem type of person
- Reliable and loyal
- Hardworking and "nothing is impossible" attitude
- Love finding creative solutions to problems. Tell me something you need help with and I’ll find a way to make it work
- Enjoy physical tasks and getting dirty and sweaty. There’s no better way to get a good night’s sleep!
- Love to cook, and am passionate about learning new methods I’ve never tried before
- Have created visual content for countless national and international brands, a skill that could be leveraged if you need help advertising your business

I’m fully vaccinated for Covid-19 (and have been tested 3x a week per film industry protocol)
Interests
Yoga / Wellness
Winter sports
Sustainability
Self development
Sailing / Boating
Plant care
Photography
Outdoor activities
Nature
Movies & TV
Music
Mountain
Languages
Hiking
History
Gardening
Fitness
Farming
Events & social
Dancing
DIY & crafts
Culture
Cycling
Charity work
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Camping
Books
Beach
Art & design
Adventure sports
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Russian: Beginner
More details about my language interests
Always interested in learning the local language wherever I'm traveling to make communication easier
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
General Maintenance
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Languages
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Teaching
Able to teach about:
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Art Projects
More details about your skills
-I've worked in just about every area of construction, so I've got the professional experience to essentially build an entire house from pouring a foundation, to nailing down a roof (just don't ask me to do plumbing or electric haha)
-I've been doing photography professionally for about 15 years now, anything photo or film related I've probably read at least 3 books on it
-I'm a great cook, I've been cooking since I was a child and my first job at 15 was as a cook
-I have pretty advanced gardening skills having worked with aquaponics systems for extended periods of time
-I am one of the best alpaca shearers in North America, probably in the top 15 most experienced

I have tons of other various skills, just ask. Chances are I've probably at least dabbled in whatever you ask me haha. I'm a collector of eclectic trades- basically anything where you're working with your hands and you're creating something physical you can see. It's so satisfying working hard on something and seeing the fruits of your labor
Age
38
What else ...
When it comes down to it, all I'm looking for in my travels is to learn some new skills and make genuine connections. If I get some terrible illness, or get robbed, or injured, all of it will have been worth it if I have shared authentic experiences with people I can connect with. There aren't many things we can control in this life but I'm trying to do my part to live in an intentional way so I'm able to meet people where they are and be mutually vulnerable and understood.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Cats but it's not a deal breaker
- Special dietary requirements

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23 Sep 2023

Left by host for Workawayer ()

We have had Kyle with us for two weeks. I would definately recommend him. He is very sweet and easy going. He has all sorts of different skills and interests and is the most amazing cook. Also our kids loved him.

(Excellent )

21 Apr 2023

Left by host for Workawayer ()

One Of Hard Workers ,

highly recommended

(Excellent )

1 Apr 2023

Left by Workawayer () for host (Beautiful resort looking for ...)

This was my first time volunteering through workaway and I wasn't fully sure what to expect. After spending 10 weeks volunteering I consider myself very lucky to have ended up at one of the best spots in Koh Phangan. This strikes a balance that is almost impossible to find anywhere else, it's very welcoming and laid back but at the same time… read more

(Excellent )

2 Apr 2023

Left by Workawayer () for host (Teach English and help on our ...)

When I showed up at Thuy's farm it was a last minute backup plan after my friend I was supposed to visit in HCMC had to return to the states unexpectedly. I wasn't sure how it would go, as I didn't have much experience teaching English and I was worried I would be bored being somewhere so remote. What I experienced was so much better than I ever… read more

(Excellent )

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23 Sep 2023

Left by host for Workawayer ()

(Excellent)

21 Apr 2023

Left by host for Workawayer ()

One Of Hard Workers ,

highly recommended

(Excellent)

1 Apr 2023

Left by Workawayer () for host (Beautiful resort looking for ...)

(Excellent)

2 Apr 2023

Left by Workawayer () for host (Teach English and help on our ...)

(Excellent)

1 Apr 2023

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join us in our vegetable ...)

I spent about two weeks at the at hot springs in Sta Lourdes. While the accommodations were acceptable, the situation as a volunteer was a bit surprising and not at all what the host listing made it out to be. Sir Roque fulfilled his duties as a host making sure the volunteers were fed and housed but that was about the extent of it. The reality of… read more the situation is that all the businesses that are talked about in the listing have been closed since the start of the pandemic as they were businesses targeted at the tourist industry which was nonexistent when things went into lockdown. Additionally the hot spring "resort" sustained damage during the typhoon in 2021 and is in major disrepair. In the evenings it still draws a few guests that come to soak in the few spring fed pools that are still maintained but it's far from the functioning tourist resort it once was. It seems as though many of the rooms in resort have been left to deteriorate over the past few years, with the bathrooms covered in rust and corrosion and the ceilings, walls, even dressers covered in extensive mold. I'm not a very high maintenance volunteer- I've stayed in pretty rough conditions, sleeping on the floor in a shipping container with no air conditioning for instance, but the conditions here had me genuinely concerned for my health.

The work itself was at the "farm" which also seemed to have not been functional as a farm for quite some time. The main task the volunteers were given for the short time I was there was putting up concrete posts for fencing around the property and then also clearing out and fencing in a pen in preparation for raising 20 piglets. A majority of the tasks we were given seemed to not have a purpose behind them and felt more like they were given to us just to keep us busy. There were tools we could use to make certain jobs more efficient and yet we were given specific instruction to perform the tasks by hand instead. For the majority of my time there I was tasked with carrying large rocks from a river about 500m away to the future pig pen to stack around the bottom of the fence so the piglets couldn't squeeze through the gap under it. I tried to keep a positive attitude and look on the bright side at what I could get out of the experience, namely getting a good workout and exercising my body but that was about the extent of the benefits. We mainly worked with Sir Roque's employee Eloy who was actually really kind and helpful and I would say interacting with him was the only redeeming part of the experience. Sir Roque on the other hand was largely absent doing his own thing and the short amount of time we would spend together during meals he mostly neglected to engage with the volunteers instead choosing to interact with others in Tagalog instead.

Overall it felt like as volunteers there we were largely under-utilized or under-appreciated which led to most of the volunteers leaving shortly after they arrived. I arrived with pretty high expectations after reading the previous positive reviews, but left feeling disappointed and sad for the other volunteers who also planned their travel based on a listing that clearly hasn't been updated to reflect the current situation.

(Good)

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