Ella

United Kingdom
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
My next destination:
Panama - from Jun 2024 until Jul 2024
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Description
Hi I'm Ella! Growing up in Scotland I've spent most of my time outdoors and have a real appreciation for nature and the environment. I am currently studying medicine in Edinburgh but in my spare time I love to go mountain biking or surfing with my friends and spend time outdoors. I love to travel and last summer I spent two months volunteering alone in workaways around Bolivia which I loved! I worked on permacultures where I learned about growing your own food, and in a shamanic ashram where I learnt to connect with nature and about another way of life. Through doing these workaways and voluntary work in Scotland I have skills in cooking, cleaning, general maintenance, also working with other volunteers and accommodating guests. I work well independently and in a team. I studied Spanish at school and I was able to improve my level of Spanish last summer through speaking spanish to local people especially in remote areas where English was not spoken. I am excited to travel again to meet interesting people, improve my Spanish and surfing and to learn more about interesting cultures!
Interests
Cycling
Books
Cooking & food
Charity work
Winter sports
Water sports
Sustainability
Gardening
Self development
Outdoor activities
Yoga / Wellness
Vegetarian or vegan
Nature
Beach
Adventure sports
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
More details about my language interests
I studied Spanish at school and I love the language! I improved a lot last summer when speaking with local people in remote areas where Spanish was not spoken. I'm excited to improve my Spanish further!
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Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Gardening
Being an elderly companion
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Animal Care
Some knowledge of:
Babysitting and creative play
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
More details about your skills
I feel that my strengths are very much people orientated as I am a good listener, I can see well from other people’s perspectives, and I enjoy being in a teamwork environment. The past few years I have volunteered in community youth groups and loved getting to know new people. Through working in watersports centre in Scotland and volunteering in workaways in Bolivia last summer I developed a lot of useful skills. These include cleaning, cooking, general maintenance, gardening and housekeeping. Also accommodating and talking to guests and being friendly and welcoming. I have a good level of Spanish which is useful for communication. I am hard working, very open minded, qnd enthusiastic about experience new ways of living.
Age
21
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  No

Feedback

1 Sep 2023

Left by host (Climb and collaborate in ...) for Workawayer (Ella)

She has spent with us this summer, she is a person made with pieces of glitter stars brought from Ireland and Sweden...she entertains herself living, studying, climbing in Scotland...but her real passport...tells us a citizen of the world ....a big hug to you that you extend to all your family, we wish you a happy adventure....summer....a happy… read more

(Excellent )

27 Aug 2023

Left by Workawayer (Ella) for host (Climb and collaborate in ...)

I spent 6 weeks in this beautiful place and I fell in love with the village and the people! This is a great workaway to experience life in a remote village nestled in the mountains, take life a little slower and explore Austurias. Paco is very passionate about sharing his paradise with others, he instantly made me feel welcome and part of the… read more family and I continue to feel part of community in the whatsapp chat. Paco is very generous with his things: he allows you to use anything in his house during your stay including clothes to work in and asks you for a food shopping list each week.

My highlights: 🌟
- Spending time with Paco and his family and exploring local culture, history, food and nature on weekly excursions
- Sleeping under the stars at the emrita with the most beautiful view
- Speaking Spanish and playing boardgames with the wonderful Charo the neighbour and abuelita to volunteers. She is always there for advice and a chat ❤️
- Swimming in the river
- Getting to know the other volunteers, I was lucky to share my time with some beautiful people!

Things to note:
- This is a very self-directed workaway. As Paco says you are the "protagonist of your own story." When Paco is away he gives guidance over whatsapp but he tends to give a lot less direction than previous workaways I have been to. This does bring its challenges but I found it as an opportunity for self development and to grow my confidence in my own abilities
- With this style of workaway you need to be self motivated, you are responsible for scheduling your day and putting in the hours - you are always rewarded for hard work with adventures and climbing!
- it's important to be open minded, Paco has his own style of doing things having the flexibility to adapt to this different way of life allows you to make the most out of your experience
- Expect lots of different types of work which can be quite physical: I mainly worked in the garden but I also helped to clean the cabin in the woods and helped his son Juan with learning English
- Although Paco says no prior climbing experience is needed a basic understanding of technique and safety is useful to avoid confusion with language barriers and go climbing when Paco isn't there:)
- I came without a car and although you can explore plenty of things on foot once two volunteers arrived with vans we had a lot more freedom to explore the local area: hiking up mountains, local markets, pueblo fiestas which were some of the highlights of my experience (Thank you David and Laura!!)
- As Paco is usually away during the week you spend most of your time with the other volunteers and different people create different house dynamics

Ultimately this has been a very unique experience which I would recommend to anyone hoping to experience a completely different way of life with lots of opportunity for self growth and enjoying the beautiful area. Gracias por todo Paco, espero volver pronto!! ❤️🏔

(Excellent )

8 Jan 2023

Left by Workawayer (Ella) for host (Volunteer at a shamanic ...)

Shame on me for forgetting to write a review for this wonderful place!
I found this workaway last minute during my first trip as a solo traveller this summer and only planned to stay a week but ended up staying a month!
The energy is beautiful, I learnt to listen to nature and enjoy spending time with my own thoughts, enjoying a slower pace and… read more

(Excellent )

24 Aug 2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Ella)

Ella is a really sweet, helpful and open minded woman. We have fond memories with her and highly recommend her to other hosts.

(Excellent )

19 Aug 2022

Left by Workawayer (Ella) for host (Join our permaculture ...)

I spent an amazing 2 weeks in beautiful Misque with Simon, Jessica and Flavio! This was my first workaway and it's safe to say I felt more than welcome and the permaculture really started to feel like home.
The work was often physical but rewarding and working in the morning meant that you had the afternoon to explore the beautiful area or relax… read more

(Excellent )

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