Hugo

From: Spain

Account Type
Individual account
Travelling to
Spain
Travel dates
21/02/2020 - 31/12/2021
Badges

My status
Travelling
Description
Hi everyone. I'm Hugo from the Canary Islands.

I'm here because I think volunteering is the deepest way to understand local reality and keeping alive our learning process as travellers. The volunteer work had help me to develop very important values as respect, mind-opening and empathy, been all that experiences profoundly positives in my life.

The volunteer work is also helping me in my personal path to find alternative ways of leaving based in the exchange in stead of the salary. This option is seducing me more and more with the pass of the years and now is turning almost a constant on my life.

I'm probably a non-stop traveller: it's been 11 years since I left the normal life behind while the backpack was becaming my house. I'm definitely in love with nomadism, expecting to live the present everyday and learn with every new step. Passionated with discovering new cultures and ways of living. I think I'm a happy and open minded guy trying, at the same time, to increase the social conscience in this unequal world we are living in.

I love to create hand-made jewelry, playing guitar and flute, books, yoga, hiking in the wild, the beach, vegetarian food, animal lover, eco-friendly live style, cold beer, music festivals, tatoos and piercings, adrenaline...
Interests
Mountain
Beach
Nature
Camping
Sailing / Boating
Adventure sports
Yoga / Wellness
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Van life
Charity work
Farming
Gardening
Carpentry
Sustainability
Animals
Pets
Art & design
Performing arts
DIY & crafts

show more
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Charity Work
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Hospitality/Tourism
Language practice
Art Projects
Teaching
More details about your skills
During the trip I have had the fortune to gain experience both working for a salary and volunteering.

I'm a hand made jeweler with macrame and natural stones. I had the chance of selling it in Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Mexico, USA and Canada.

In Argentina, Brasil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Cambodia and Vietnam, I had been volunteering in towns under the risk of social exclusion, working specially in schools with kids.

In Mexico, Thailand, Brunei and South Africa I've been also volunteering in eco-farms, nurseries and bioconstruccion projects.

In recent years I have had the opportunity to make several ovens made with clay, sand and straw, following techniques to use non industrial materials.

In Denmark, USA and Canada I've been growing and picking different fruits, veggies and plants in the farm business.

In 2019 I spent 6 months in Australia working in the construction, gardening, landscaping, polishing cars and boats...I think I'm definitely used to hard work.

I have a long experience working for a salary in hotel receptions in Andorra and Mexico, although I also volunteer in several hostels in Malaysia.

I also worked as technology salesman for some years in Barcelona., long time ago.

I play a little bit guitar and flute, but just for fun!
Languages
Languages spoken
Catalan: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Portuguese: Intermediate
Italian: Beginner
More details about my language interests
French and Italian are languages I'd love to learn. I've been teaching some English in schools before..
Age
43
What else ...
There's my profile in another volunteer platform where I'm also a member:
https://www.givingway.com/user/8ce6b87a-2c44-4348-b0da-d630413cd78b/Hugo+Raval

Also there's an interview a very good friend made me when I was living in a motorhome in Mexico and selling my jewelry. The only thing is we talked in Spanish:
https://youtu.be/NuRHX6Dhuxg
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  No
- Special dietary requirements
  Vegetarian.

Photos

Making clay bricks in Brunei, Borneo.

Making a hut with bamboo, wood and clay in Brunei, Borneo.

Final result. Bamboo hut with clay walls and timber floor. Pizza oven and BBK! Brunei.

Helping in a humble school in south Cambodia.

Pizza oven in a farm in Worcester, South Africa.

Receiving some help mixing the clay. 😊

Show all photos

Final result. Worcester, South Africa.

Helping with some farm work. 🐝

Working hard in the ashtonishing Transkei, South Africa.

Making the oven in the Transkei, South Africa.

Final result. Transkei, South Africa.

Cutting branches and trees in Limpopo, South Africa.

Making some hand-made jewelry.

Creating some macrame hunging pots.

Feedback

13/03/2021

Left by Workawayer (Hugo) for host for (Come and be a part of an ...)

I was so lucky to be able to volunteer on Albert's land for a couple of weeks. He is a humble, intelligent and very open-minded person, which makes him the ideal host. We had numerous talks about life in general, travel, politics, the situation in South Africa, the history of the country ...
About the tasks to do Albert has been working for a few… read more

(Excellent )

04/03/2021

Left by host (Come and be a part of an ...) for Workawayer (Hugo)

Hugo embodied everything you can wish for as a volunteer and guest to your project. His openness and friendliness stayed from the start to the end. He is a man with a plan and a "can do"attitude that speaks of his years of experience as a volunteer. One that arrives as a volunteer and leaves as a friend. Thanks Hugo for your effort beyond what was… read more

(Excellent )

27/02/2021

Left by Workawayer (Hugo) for host for (Come and build a Castle in an ...)

After spending more than four weeks in this astonishing and calm place, I can only highly recommend it.
Marie is a person with an impressive mental and physical activity, nothing stops her, and the number of ideas to which improve the construction of the castle or the maintenance of the farm are constant.
During my stay I slept in a large and… read more

(Excellent )

17/12/2020

Left by host (Come and help at a plant ...) for Workawayer (Hugo)

Hugo volunteered here for almost 4 weeks. Even before he arrived i could gather from his Workaway profile that he was going to be one of those really chilled relaxed matured type of voluteers that i didn't even have to discuss the house rules with ,that it would just come naturally and it just being common sense to him. He is a well travelled open… read more

(Excellent )

14/12/2020

Left by host (Help with childcare or ...) for Workawayer (Hugo)

What a gift! Hugho 's helpfulness and skillset was a true gift for us! He has a lot of very useful skills: from doing cement work, to drilling, painting, building basics with treated timber, great communication skills and creativity and above all: a very authentic warm hearted man with a willingness to assist where he can. On top of this Hugho has… read more

(Excellent )

01/12/2020

Left by Workawayer (Hugo) for host for (Help with childcare or ...)

After many volunteer works at Workaway I can say this one, at least untill now, had been the best by far.

Tania and Hansi (I don't know if it's spelled like that) are the perfect hosts: always open to help me in anything I could need and worried that I would never lack for any single thing. Honestly, from the very first moment they made me feel… read more

(Excellent )

22/10/2020

Left by host (Help at our community tourism ...) for Workawayer (Hugo)

Hugo, you were a delight to host. Thank you for your upbeat energy and willingness to help with whatever came up. You went way beyond what was expected of you and were never scared to work hard, get dirty and help meet deadlines, you worked harder and are stronger than anyone in their 20's - so impressive! Your wonderful sense of humour brought an… read more

(Excellent )

21/10/2020

Left by Workawayer (Hugo) for host for (Help at our community tourism ...)

After three weeks enjoying this magical corner of the Transkei I can only feel immensely fortunate.
The Hostel, which is part of a major project that works in the development of the community living in this rural and off-grid spot, closed the doors for a few weeks to work in renewing and improving the common area. I had the opportunity to help in… read more

(Excellent )

04/10/2020

Left by Workawayer (Hugo) for host for (Experience a small, ...)

Having the chance of enjoying this corner of the planet is just priceless. The Transkei is an astonishing, natural and wild paradise inhabited by the Xhosa people with their unic culture. Here you can learn their complex language and their interesting traditions and even participate in their local ceremonies, which are fascinating.
Now, do it… read more

(Excellent )

12/08/2020

Left by host (Come and enjoy building ...) for Workawayer (Hugo)

Hugo came for a month and Covid19 kept him here for 5 months! it could have been testing for both him and ourselves being locked down on the farm, but he proved himself to be a worthy ChiCharero ( forgive spelling ..... a Canary Islander). He fitted in so well that he has taken on honorary status as a member of our family ! Having travelled… read more

(Excellent )

19/07/2020

Left by Workawayer (Hugo) for host for (Come and enjoy building ...)

I could write such and extense review after living with this amazing people that turned my family during almost the 5 months of Covid-19 lock down. However, I'll try to do it in a few simple words: you will never regret if you decide to volunteer at this place: I had my own private little cottage right in front of a dam where I swam the warmest… read more

(Excellent )

21/06/2019

Left by host (Help us create a homely ...) for Workawayer (Hugo)

Hugo, a young man with full enthusiasm and commitment in whatever is thrown at him.

Hugo, a humble man been with us close to two months. He helped us to transform the hostel environment in many aspects. Being friendly, he interacted very well with our guest whom are mainly Europeans.

He is well versed with hardwares and power tools. Hugo… read more

(Excellent )

25/01/2019

Left by Workawayer (Hugo) for host for (Help us create a homely ...)

After the time I spent in this hostel with Oliver and Lynn I can say this is the perfect place for volunteering and the perfect people for letting you feel absolutely comfortable during your stay.
The tasks I made was helping with the house keeping and helping with the renovation of some rooms. Easy to do and just some hours per day.
Oliver and… read more

(Excellent )

17/04/2019

Left by host (Looking for help to build ...) for Workawayer (Hugo)

Hugo is self motivated, hard working and super energetic. He has lots of skills and experienced. It's a great pleasure to host Hugo. The bioconstruction project is very challenging for both of us, it's lots of hard work. He has put all his skills and take a very details that turn this project so beautifully. We can't thank you enough. We had… read more

(Excellent )

15/04/2019

Left by Workawayer (Hugo) for host for (Looking for help to build ...)

After spending 9 weeks in this eco-garden I just can say this had been my best experience volunteering in projects like this.
The family is so charming and they help you to feel part of it since the very first moment.
The food they provide is the so healthy, is made with tones of love and extremely tasty.
I had my own room, so it's also easy to… read more

(Excellent )

23/01/2019

Left by host (Come and give a hand with ...) for Workawayer (Hugo)

You'd never regret having Hugo as your volunteer! He was very helpful, friendly and inspiring at our hostel The house in Langkawi island, Malaysia.
He is hardworking and super creative. He made us a forever great memory, with handcrafted hanging plants, making our place more special and unique. Thank you so much for that!
We wish you more… read more

(Excellent )

10/01/2019

Left by Workawayer (Hugo) for host for (Come and give a hand with ...)

Well, I just left this morning this beautiful place with beautiful people...
The House is now in the process of changing the management. Jojo is now in charge and she is making such a big effort to improve the facilities, the customer service, the house keeping, the comfortability for the volunteers (lunch prepared by a cooker and more food to… read more

(Excellent )

11/12/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Hugo)

Hugo is a very friendly and very good at the front desk, he greets all guest with big smile its a plus, he picked up things fast and he was a good team player and very understanding in all situations.
We wish you all the best for your journey ahead and you are always welcome whenever you like to come back.
Cheers.

(Excellent )

07/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Hugo) for host for (Guesthouse in Kuala Lumpur ...)

This was my first workaway experience and I'm glad it happened in these place. I spent there three weeks and it was awesome. The tasks you have to do in the reception are easy to learn, the ambient between the staff and the guests is amazing, and you can feel part of the team since the very first moment. The things you have back for your time… read more

(Excellent )

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