WORKAWAY - Not So Ethical?

Since I have recommended Workaway many times in the past to an unknown number of people, I feel it appropriate to follow up. Knowing what I now know about the organization, I recant my recommendations and provide disclosure of disappointing practices.

A reminder to my ever faithful family and my new readers – as I know I am welcoming a few here…..I did not join workaway due to wanderlust or a passion for travel. It was to assist me on my quest to finding my place as you can read, or refresh your memory, in Baring My Soul and Planting A Dream.

Initially discovering this travel trade website in 2014, I was so excited and promptly shelled out the money for my membership. What I learned along the way is:

·        Hosts pay no membership….just the volunteers.

·        A greater percentage of hosts I personally contacted don’t respond.

·        Less than stellar feedback (by paying volunteers) is removed – basically false advertising. Obviously this site is geared toward accommodating hosts so workaway will have a product, albeit not always honestly portrayed, to sell to volunteers.

·       Workaway implies situations have, for the most part, 5 hours work, 5 days per week in exchange for food and accommodations. That scenario is actually pretty rare at least with the hundreds of profiles I looked into (unless you also include a space to set up your own tent or paying extra for meals or having a space to prepare your meals).

·        Workaway monitors private messages too in spite of their denial….I have correspondence to back that up but don’t wish to spend any more energy there.

Here is the feedback that I gave for the first place, and ONLY place via workaway, I experienced.

(See: If I'd Have Known & Really......the Desert?!) Through the grapevine I heard that even the owner agreed it was truthful. This feedback was subsequently removed by workaway. It makes reference to the description of the place that was posted at the time and what I actually encountered. Note: I was being kind.

[09/02/2015]

I spent almost a month here. Just a heads up that it isn’t quite a Hotel/Resort and Restaurant in the usual sense. It is more of a backpacker’s hostel. There is a dining hall and kitchen to prepare your own food but not a restaurant that has food and you can get meals prepared for you. A group of young people live there and like to chill. They are great about cutting down coconuts, when available. Nothing like drinking fresh coconut water right out of the coconut! So if you are looking for something more laid back, this might be the place for you. You need to be prepared for all situations like often no water much less hot. You also must like the company of a pack of untrained dogs following you wherever you go….yes, that includes the kitchen. There is much that needs to be done around so you will have no trouble finding ways to help out and can probably choose the jobs you prefer. The facility sits on a beautiful beach backed by desert-like terrain. The beach is constantly littered with trash so Mother Nature would love it if you assisted in the trash collection helping uplift the Planet. It is about an hour drive south of the city of Manta and about ½ hour north of Puerto Lopez. You can easily catch an inexpensive bus right on the road to either location and more if you’d like to do a little sightseeing or shopping.

I must add that I stayed in Nov 2014 and haven't had a chance to post this earlier so things appear to have changed. I know they changed their description after I left a review on another site back in Dec.

Left by Workawayer for host

(Neutral)

for Help a hotel 4 km north of town of the fishing village of Puerto Cayo, Ecuador.

Knowing everything happens for a positive reason, I thankfully see many gifts resulting from being involved with workaway. If I hadn’t joined, I wouldn’t have met a number of wonderful folks – many of whom have since become dear friends.

Mary was one of the first that I made a magical connection with…..no surprise….on the beach! She shares an inspiring blog about her adventures and life as an expat in Ecuador. Mary, in turn, assisted me in making the synchronistic partnership with Hosteria Nantu including Andrea, Mauritz and what quickly became my Nantu Family.  At that time I assisted in getting Hosteria Nantu listed on workaway. Here are the reviews we posted for each other:

(Excellent)

for Volunteer at a Hosteria in Southern Manabi province, directly on the beach

[09/02/2015]

Words aren’t adequate to express my gratitude and happiness regarding my 2 month stay. Andrea and Mauritz were gracious hosts indeed. They and the staff quickly felt like family to me as we worked together….sometimes a little humorously due to my limited Spanish skills. It was an honor leading so many guests in daily morning yoga too. Between my hosts, the staff and a number of special guests, dozens more have been added to my heart for life. It was a real treat living and working right across from the beach. I got a chance to see all the different rooms in the hosteria. The reason this is significant as they are all artfully designed and decorated in their own unique manner. If you get a chance to volunteer here, between the hosts and the tranquil area, it will be an opportunity you remember fondly on for a long time to come!

Left by Workawayer for host

(Excellent)

Michelle

[08/04/2015]

We still miss this lady. She changes our life and the way to see things around. We really appreciate all she did around our hosteria, we still have people coming to look for our yoga classes and massages, I highly recommend Michelle as a worker, friend and person. Thanks a lot for all you did for Us. Everyone here keep talking about how great you were. You will always be part of our family, doors will always be open for you Michelle.
Left by host for Workawayer

Tessa and Alie frequented my poolside yoga class. Thanks to fb and their blog Happy Goats, we are able to stay in touch. Manuela from Italy, another beautiful yoga regular, co-owned restaurant Paella Mar in Puerto Lopez with her partner Toni from Spain. Loved their crème brulee! One more of my yogini friends is sweet Nadia. She shared my gypsy spirit and was on her own quest. Her time to move on came before mine and she gifted me with a beautiful handbag that she lovingly made for me herself. It was perfect for my needs (ok wants) at the time. Of course, I must express immense gratitude for my experiences with my furry, feathered and water friends - dogs, seals, seabirds, turtles and seahorses! 

During my research I came across a significant number of others who had similar, unsatisfactory findings and less desirable encounters through workaway. Will not go into any more detail so as not to immerse in the negative. Just backing up my own findings to save others unpleasant situations in the future.

Bringing the focus back to the bright side…..I am still open to that magical tropical location being shown to me in my night dreams and day visions. In the meantime, I continue Putting It Out To The Universe.... Please share ANY and ALL leads that may come to you regarding where on earth this Paradise might be or ways that I may discover such! Perhaps YOU would like to Personally participate with me in finding this Tropical Retreat?! It would be a powerful way of being the change we wish to see in this world…….Just Sayin’ ;-)

Thank you all for being such Bright Lights in my life!

P.S. Here's my workaway profile in case you can refer me to potential hosts...or if you may be one yourself!

Putting It Out To The Universe

“God helps those who help themselves.” In keeping with this profound statement, I am putting my request out to the Universe as I look for direction regarding the next chapter of my journey.

                                                                             

I thought I was going to be blogging this month about an exciting development I am looking forward to sharing with you. However, I am waiting until all the t’s are crossed and i’s are dotted. Apparently some involved in this endeavor are on “island time”. Maybe next month.

In the meantime, I am asking Heaven and Earth for guidance, leads and tips. As you may remember from my post Baring My Soul and Planting a Dream, I am on a quest to find my special Paradise…..

Walk with me as the sparkling white sand caresses our bare feet, extending for secluded miles in both directions. Bright sunshine warms our skin and we catch a hint of salt on the refreshing sea breeze. Huge rumbling thunderheads shapeshift across azuline skies teasing as to whether they will drench us with

a quick shower or not. Look! A pod of friendly dolphins have decided to enchant our day, spontaneously putting on a show. We can’t resist entering the warm crystal clear water, turquoise in hue, to join them. Our interaction with our cetacean friends is one of playfulness, bounding joy and deep respect. Finally, coaxing ourselves back on shore, our eyes drink in dense trees entangled in green vines teeming with life.

Regal palm trees occasionally bend toward the ocean and the fragrance of plumeria is intoxicating. Colorful hibiscus and exquisite orchids around the house add to the beauty. Along with the hypnotic crashing of the waves on the beach, there is the constant song of the jungle. Parrots, toucans, monkeys, cicadas and frogs all add their own harmony to the chorus. As evening nears, those magnificent clouds and the humidity they provide, all contribute to the glorious sunset manifesting just for us. It is impossible with human words to describe the infinite kaleidoscope of color keeping us spellbound as the great blazing ball sinks into the sea.

In the soft pastel twilight of the balmy evening, we express gratitude for the loveliness all around in this Tropical Retreat. But wait, there’s more! See the magical glow appearing here and there in the water. Bioluminescence! Wonders will never cease…..

Sooooo, will you help me get there?! Maybe help "us" get there? Keep in mind I live mostly by trade of some sort as you may recall in MONEY – NOT the ONLY Currency. Here are thoughts of how you can be – or continue being – part of my Legion of Earth Angels:

* Do you know anyone traveling to a part of the world that sounds like above description who might benefit from having a travel companion?

* Might you have an acquaintance who lives in a similar area of the world that just might host a gypsy for a while? I can help out in many ways I can as I investigate my surroundings.

* Have you personally traveled to (or are in) a location that sounds like this? If so, may I contact you with questions?

* Do you have a blog or newsletter (or a friend who has a blog or newsletter) that you could get me more exposure by sharing this message and possibly reach the “right” person or people?

* Do you have any connections with a publication, in print and/or online, who would want to write about this ongoing saga and pay for it facilitating, or supplementing, my travel?

* You know anyone who has a yacht or large sailboat and wants to explore suitable tropical beaches? Needs to be large enough for me to have a little privacy - no room sharing with someone I just met!

*Are you a writer or know a writer who’d like to partner with me on my story? Maybe even a producer? If you are familiar with Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Eat Pray Love”….the work would be that kind of “feel”.

* Might you have creative, research, travel or other resources I haven’t mentioned that could be useful in my search?

At this time, I am exceedingly blessed to be in a wonderful mutually supportive and respectful situation. Huge thanks to my Dear Angels making this so. I have a number of leads for “what’s next” but nothing feels for sure appropriate yet. Most of the time I do well living in the moment… enjoying the richness of people and activities in my NOW. Simultaneously, there is that little part in my now that nudges me to reach out and continue My Odyssey.

Big appreciation, as always, for journeying with me!!

P.S. This blog post was inspired by a card I picked from my SELF-CARE CARDS by Cheryl Richardson. It was HELP...."Ask for help ~ Receiving is an act of generosity." I mused about it for days actually wondering who I could ask for help that I hadn't already. Then I was guided to ask all of you....my benevolent readers and Earth Angels. Help.....Please and Thank You!