Julien

France
Login to see last activity

Badges (3)

Photos

View all

Give the gift of Workaway

Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
My next destination:
Singapore
View all
Description
Simple person who decides to take a break and go for a round the world trip in 2011-2013.
Settled in Canada in 2014-2023.
Resuming Travel end of 2023 and planning a year in south-east Asia.
http://alaventure.wordpress.com/
https://mastodon.social/@asia24
https://www.bewelcome.org/members/juju2
http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/juju43/
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Japanese: Beginner
More details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Languages
Teaching
Being an elderly companion
Able to teach about:
Helping with Computers/ Internet
More details about your skills
computer (work), photography (passion), cooking, basic handyman in appartment (electricity, domotic), trekking, first aid (french certification AFPS/PSC1)
Age
46
What else ...
Go, chess
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

Friends

Photos

Feedback

21 Dec 2023

Left by Workawayer (Julien) for host (Creative gardener welcome in ...)

Patience looks strict and maybe harsh on some aspects, but is also a welcoming person once you broke initial shell and show that you can work as she requested. She cooked me few meals and offers some fruits from her garden.

Did multiple activities, part gardening:
* Dead leaves removal, with ladder on suspended net
* Dead leaves front banana… read more

(Neutral )

20 Nov 2013

Left by Workawayer (Julien) for host (Teaching help in the heart of ...)

I stayed 2 weeks and a half with the family and 5 others volunteers, most of them on long term (a year) and it was an enjoyable experience. I regret I couldn't stay longer as I was at the end of my trip and more time constrained, so it was difficult to get any real achievements but still. Will probably try again in the future on a longer… read more

(Very good )

25 Oct 2013

Left by Workawayer (Julien) for host (Preparing my 50' vessel for ...)

(french below)
I met Clive through workaway in Campbell River/BC/CA as he was handling repair of his friend Jim's boat and his boat, it was in Panama. I was there a week doing handyman work: moving stuff, painting, drilling, ... Sadly, as there was also craftman's work pending which were delayed from 2-3d to a week, we hadn't oppurtunity to do any… read more

(Very good )

6 Sep 2013

Left by Workawayer (Julien) for host (Help in a hostal in Panama)

I initially contacted mike a month in advance while I was not sure to stay and after a new invitation to come help, I decide to stop at Bambu hostel.
I spent ten days at Bambu hostel and can only say it was mixed experience.
My point of view, be it as a customer or as a volunteer, the atmosphere of an hostel depends a lot on current clients and… read more staff. Usual backpackers and volunteers are by essence temporary.
There was some nice days, some less.

Details:
Bambu hostel is owned by Mike living in California handling contact on workaway/helpx and Greg, musician living in David and usually in the hostel on afternoons. Permanent staff include the manager, Ara the housekeeper and Ariel.
Most management is oral and there is not much written (no book for volunteer as it can exist for traveller) and I find it lackings as if nobody cares/think you need something, you don't know. Of course, for most stuff, it's easy to sort it out but it paves road to mistake especially when people thinks you don't need to know and in the end, you need and you are alone. It can also lead to controversies or feeling that rules just changes on time...
I have seen two volunteers leave before scheduled because of management/cooperation issues. Of course, as for work, everyone has its handles and good management should be able to sort it out. But, there are still too short-notice change, not much encouragements, never excuse if mistakes, little thanks, "years" rules popping out just at sometime... and some evasions (drinking alcohol while at work, having external people inside - some appeared approved by management, some unclear)
Also, from what I said, at least in the past, there was a lot of minor theft in hostel (like spoon, towel, toilet paper, ...) and here, it makes more charge or less things available for normal customers. Also as many place, plan B can be used a lot especially with broken things (wheelbarrow, plumbering tube on floor and easily broken if people not taking care).

Activities
- front desk: morning shift 7am-12am, afternoon 12am-5pm (usually taken by Peter or Greg), evening 5pm-10pm. Night is done by Ariel (except on sunday/noone it seems)
- Gardening/morning: groundwork (put leaves on back basically), enable poop filter, swimming pool maintenance (net)
- Bar service (5pm-10pm)
Main service is evening shift for front desk
Side stuff: pageboy/buy food stuff (usually for breakfeast), computer updates, ...

My recommendations
- more exchange/details exchange beforehand
- more written things about working. There is nothing complicate but payments accepted (cash/creditcard - latter no), booking sources (hostelworld/bookings/airbnb/...), knowing web passwords (for hostelworld/backpackonline mainly), where are some light switchs, where to fetch toilet paper or what to do if a customer is drunk. used the board of staff room for affectation to avoid misunderstandings.
- Be careful of food, especially in fridge as manager seems to be very easy to trash unlabelled stuff... Lot better to have your own marked tupperware as there is little in the hostel and manager insisted that volunteers don't keep plate or container in fridge be the hostel full or empty.

(Neutral )

10 Apr 2013

Left by Workawayer (Julien) for host (Volunteer at an Eco Village ...)

I spent 2 weeks at a month interval at the farm with Krisna, a few other volunteers and many locals/devotees and kids. Everything went very well with a good family atmosphere. Many kids of around regularly visit the farm to help and meet with volunteers. Very good vegetarian meals.
Alternating between farm current activities (cooking, kitchen… read more

(Excellent )

To leave feedback make sure you are logged in & your account is online