Globe Aware Blog http://www.globeaware.com/blog Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:30:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 en My Volunteer Vacation in Peru with Globe Aware http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2007/02/14/my-volunteer-vacation-in-peru-with-globe-aware/ http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2007/02/14/my-volunteer-vacation-in-peru-with-globe-aware/#comments Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:30:08 +0000 kimberly Random http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2007/02/14/my-volunteer-vacation-in-peru-with-globe-aware/ Visiting a country like Peru raises awareness around the excessive materialism and wealth we experience in the States. Staying at the Albergue refocuses one’s attention. Finding beauty in human beings and nature rather than frivolity, adornments, or luxury. In the States we have lost co-existence with nature; instead we live ina controlled environment, how refreshing it has been to live with the windown open and sleep under the warmth of homemade blankets rather than the drone of central heat. Tending to everyday life rather than having the distractions that surround us in the cities is very nourishing and balancing, at least for me. Thank you for presenting this opportunity, I hope to return to the Albregue as well as visit other countries through your program.

Pamela Butler

]]> http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2007/02/14/my-volunteer-vacation-in-peru-with-globe-aware/feed/ My amazing Globe Aware adventure in Costa Rica http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2007/01/24/my-amazing-globe-aware-adventure-in-costa-rica/ http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2007/01/24/my-amazing-globe-aware-adventure-in-costa-rica/#comments Wed, 24 Jan 2007 19:38:41 +0000 kimberly Random http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2007/01/24/my-amazing-globe-aware-adventure-in-costa-rica/ YOU can drink all the Likker down in Costa Rica
’cause I left it all there for you. I did, however, do my best to fill up on their jugos de frutas, ceviche, arrojo con frijoles, casados, pescados, quesos, flan, and cafe con leche. I had to eat a lot since I walked and hiked my ass off up and down volcanoes, rutted and rock-strewn dirt roads, dark sand beaches, hanging bridges, humid rain forests, pristine clear streams and rivers, and a goodly portion of San Jose (and, yes, I know the way). Along those trails I saw crocodiles, sloths, coati, snakes, peccaries, monkeys, toucans, boas, iguanas, as well as the usual collection of cows, horses, dogs, cats, pigs, crabs, and fish. Just missed the jaguars, but more on that later.
I somehow survived crashing una motocicleta; getting caught in a torrential rainstorm as I bathed in a river while avoiding a deadly cabeza de agua (flash flooding); bites by mosquitoes, flies, and a dog; and sharing a room with a scorpion and assorted lizards and geckos (this ain’t your mother’s TV commercial!).
I also helped our grupo de voluntarios defeat our hosts from El Sur de Turrabares in fútbol; built a recycling station for them; taught ingles to their very sweet and smart children; and ate muchas comidas en las casas del pueblo. I rode caballos to a remote stream to swim at Los Cincos Pasos (Five Steps); relieved a vaco and made cheese from her milk; made tortillas; cut caña de azúcar, milled it, boiled it, and made candy and the purest sugar I ever tasted. I celebrated New Year’s Eve with the Ticos y Ticas as well as some drunken Hollanders passing through (and out); met a lot of Germans, Swiss, and Canadians; watched the muchachos de playas (beach boys) hustle us tourists; ate some terrific and healthy meals for under US$4 at outdoor cantinas; and enjoyed the sunsets from the rainforest heights overlooking the pacific Pacific.
Ticos are warm and friendly, Spanglish-speaking, and eager to help the onslaught of turistas, even in their larger ciudads. It’s no wonder my H-P has opened up the three call centers I visited in San Jose.
Here are my fondest:

my first week in El Sur with 50 of the most gracious people I’ve ever encountered while travelling. They welcomed us into their homes and hearts in gratitude for our work and instruction. They’re trying to preserve their traditional farming life for as long as possible in the small pueblo at the edge of a newly government-created national park, Parque Nacional Carara. They hope to develop some low impact ecotourism while retaining their generations-long strong familia y católico bonds. Mario, MariaElena, Alviro, Carmen, Ronald, Karol, Isabel, Daniella, and Aracelly are amigos I’ll not soon forget.

saw the lava flow from the Volcán Arenal hard by Pueblo La Fortuna. That same night I luxuriated in the hot springs of Tabacón heated by Arenal. Ten levels of heated pools and waterfalls lead to an in-water bar. A young Tica massaged me into another world right before I drifted to the huge cena de bufet – a man does not live by food alone!

climbed alone the dormant Volcán Cerro Chatu in the shadow of Arenal, despite the warnings of the for-hire Tico guides – “Si, gracias, pero soy Americano loco!” My hotel host Miguel Zamora had recommended the six-hour climb through the rugged washed-out trails and thick roots of the rainforest. After I made the summit, I still had another 125 meters to descend to the lagoon in the crater. Tried to dry my clothes in the trees and bushes while swimming desnudo. When I recounted my bonita adventura that evening to Miguel, he let slip that he had often seen jaguars when he camped up there. !Dios mio!

El Parque Nacional de Manuel Antonio is well preserved to represent what the extinct Quepos Indios experienced. Only 600 visitors a day are allowed to walk the nature trails con animales a la playa. Two beautiful half-moon coves con gris arena and 70-degree agua.  Tough to leave.

I had café con leche one enjoyable evening at El Gran Hotel Costa Rica with two committed and bright young Socialists. They described their recent college days manning the barricades in San Jose protesting the government’s plans to endorse CAFTA and to break up the state-operated utility company into separate, for-profit businesses. Ticos have a long history of success with cooperatives wherein they all share the profits. No firebrand flashes in the pan these two – Viviana is a trilingual psychologist who could easily be the first female Presidenta one day; Kenneth has traveled all through Europe and is pursuing his doctorate in architecture. The country has done just fine without any armed forces since the civil war of 1968 (though they do refer to the ubiquitous leaf-cutter ants as the Costa Rican Army!). Typical of many third worlders I’ve met, they express a duality of feelings toward the USA – they love the tourist dollars and the opportunity they bring, but loathe our militarism and untoward global influence. They are trying hard to keep the CR they love intact.

Probably the best foreign vacation of my life – no longer nobody’s business but my own.

Gracias!
Rick
“Abrace los cambios”
]]> http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2007/01/24/my-amazing-globe-aware-adventure-in-costa-rica/feed/ My volunteer vacation in Costa Rica http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/11/21/my-volunteer-vacation-in-costa-rica/ http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/11/21/my-volunteer-vacation-in-costa-rica/#comments Tue, 21 Nov 2006 18:06:57 +0000 kimberly Random http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/11/21/my-volunteer-vacation-in-costa-rica/ Its hard to choose one thing about this week that I enjoyed the most. This has been one of the most exciting and rewarding adventures of my life. I really enjoyed riding the horses to the waterfall and seeing all the wildlife. Its especially interesting when you have a local guide like Mario who knows most everything about the mountains. Another one of my favorite things was seeing what new and delicious foods we would get to eat everyday. Each family had their own special way of preparing the dishes and it was all incredibly good. All the people in this town are very friendly and they make you feel right at home. I am defiantly planning on volunteering with Globe Aware again and hopefully come back to El Sur in the next few years to see the progress they have made and help out again. I wish all the best to El Sur and its residence and hope to see it again someday.

Andrew Heylmon

]]> http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/11/21/my-volunteer-vacation-in-costa-rica/feed/ Welcome to the New Globe Aware Weblog http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/10/22/welcome-to-the-new-globe-aware-weblog/ http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/10/22/welcome-to-the-new-globe-aware-weblog/#comments Mon, 23 Oct 2006 01:30:09 +0000 admin Random http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/10/22/welcome-to-the-new-globe-aware-weblog/ This is the site of the brand new Globe Aware weblog.

]]> http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/10/22/welcome-to-the-new-globe-aware-weblog/feed/ The best day of my volunteer vacation in Cambodia http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/08/04/the-best-day-of-my-volunteer-vacation-in-cambodia/ http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/08/04/the-best-day-of-my-volunteer-vacation-in-cambodia/#comments Fri, 04 Aug 2006 18:22:58 +0000 kimberly Random http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/08/04/the-best-day-of-my-volunteer-vacation-in-cambodia/ Journal entry:
4 August 2006

Today we met the recipients of the wheelchairs our group built earlier in the week. One was a woman now in her mid-40s who had contracted polio about a dozen years ago. She couldn’t walk but could move around on her hands with amazing efficiency. I was walking around taking pictures, when she came over to me and started pointing at herself and at me and at an infant being held by a someone across the room. I couldn’t figure out what she wanted or what her connection to the baby was. Grandmother? Aunt? She vaulted herself into the wheelchair and kept beckoning to me and speaking in Khmer. I finally understood that she wanted me to take a picture of the baby. I learned from the APDO staff that the woman (the “lady in red,” we called her) had desperately wanted a child and, against the odds, had finally had one. I think it’s glib to say that people all over the world are the same, because we – especially we privileged Americans – are separated by all kinds of boundaries and differences. But recognizing the fierce pride and love in her face as she watched her daughter, and knowing that I feel exactly the same emotions about my own 16-year-old daughter – well, culture and difference just melted right away.

Barbara

]]> http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/08/04/the-best-day-of-my-volunteer-vacation-in-cambodia/feed/ My week as a Globe Aware volunteer http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/06/13/my-week-as-a-globe-aware-volunteer/ http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/06/13/my-week-as-a-globe-aware-volunteer/#comments Tue, 13 Jun 2006 20:15:04 +0000 kimberly Random http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/06/13/my-week-as-a-globe-aware-volunteer/ We feel very fortunate to have had such a competent guide. She was respectful, humorous, clear, organized, fun, informative, sensitive, helpful, caring, etc. She put  200% of herself into this job.

 

Our hotel hosts, were incredibly wonderful! They are earnest, hardworking, curious, sincere, and well intentioned. I felt safe at all times in the hotel. The Globe Aware website prepared me well for the limitations in San Pedro de Casta; such as, only cold running water, cold climate, and limited conveniences so far as telephones, shopping, etc. Given all of this, the hotel created a really great community space for our group to hang-out, re-group, eat, etc.

 

The fairly complete immersion was what I like most about the program. I loved opening the door and walking out into the courtyard where women were cooking and sorting herbs, etc. The Lorena Stove Project was a simple thing that offered so much and allowed us to be with the locals in their homes. I really enjoyed this.Very Special. Thank you for your great vision and hard work.

Lauren Van Ham

]]> http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/06/13/my-week-as-a-globe-aware-volunteer/feed/ Volunteer on vacation! What a concept! http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/03/30/volunteer-on-vacation-what-a-concept/ http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/03/30/volunteer-on-vacation-what-a-concept/#comments Thu, 30 Mar 2006 13:16:00 +0000 kimberly Random http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/03/30/volunteer-on-vacation-what-a-concept/ What did you like the most on the program? Living with and spending time with so many Thai people.  Don’t get me wrong – I enjoyed my luxury stay at the hotel after I left Suan Kaew – but without getting to know the Thai people, it’s like coming to American and only going to Disneyland. That’s nice, but it’s not a true experience of the country and the people.  This program gave me a chance to teach and touch the Thai people directly.

Pat Edwards

]]> http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/03/30/volunteer-on-vacation-what-a-concept/feed/ A day out of my volunteer vacation in Laos http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/03/21/a-day-out-of-my-volunteer-vacation-in-laos/ http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/03/21/a-day-out-of-my-volunteer-vacation-in-laos/#comments Tue, 21 Mar 2006 18:19:06 +0000 kimberly Random http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/11/21/a-day-out-of-my-volunteer-vacation-in-laos/

We returned to the south school this morning to drop off small gifts and English books to the children. They quickly assembled in the classroom and were talking and giggling before we arrived. The moment we entered the room and greeted them with “Sabaii dee” (Good Morning), they all stood up as if at attention and put their hands together in prayer pose. The faces of the children lit up when we gave them gifts and we taught them to sing “Happy Birthday”. Their smiles were precious and I was having a hard time keeping my composure as I noticed their uniforms were torn in multiple places and brown with dirt. I wondered when the last time was that any of their pants or shirts had been washed. I wondered when any of the children had bathed last. Their arms and faces were dirty with dust and their fingernails black with dirt underneath.

What was being used as a classroom was pitiful. No lights, no fans to circulate air – This was because there was no electricity. The doors, tables, and benches made of wood were so old they would probably crumble or break if someone kicked them. Despite these poor conditions the children were

Kay Chitale

]]> http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/03/21/a-day-out-of-my-volunteer-vacation-in-laos/feed/ My Globe Aware volunteer vacation in Peru http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2005/05/15/my-globe-aware-volunteer-vacation-in-peru/ http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2005/05/15/my-globe-aware-volunteer-vacation-in-peru/#comments Sun, 15 May 2005 18:21:28 +0000 kimberly Random http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2005/05/15/my-globe-aware-volunteer-vacation-in-peru/ To be in such a remote village, close to the top of the world, and know that we contributed to the lives of the people there by painting a few houses, building two stoves, and teaching English, was a completely meaningful experience and I look forward to doing more of the same in my life.

 

Though the accommodations and lack of variety in the food were a little tough to bear at times, I was always reminded of the context that they were in. They were a luxury compared to the homes in the village, and that made it easier to cope with. It also reinforced how fortunate we are in the US. I will never take anything for granted again.

 

I volunteered on the Road Less Traveled program in Peru. I have a business, a retail gift shop, in New York that I travel back and forth to every month from my home in Miami- I’ve been doing this for the past three and a half years, after losing my fiance and business partner on 9-11. What helped me get through the difficult and painful journey through grief was travel- since 9-11 I’ve been to Ireland, South Africa, Italy, Spain, and several US cities. The Globe Aware program was by far the most fulfilling, and upon my return
home, the morning after in fact, I got engaged again to another wonderful man- we are eloping to Hawaii in May.

Tanya Villenuva

]]> http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2005/05/15/my-globe-aware-volunteer-vacation-in-peru/feed/ Volunteer with Globe Aware in Peru, I recommend it! http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2004/05/25/volunteer-with-globe-aware-in-peru-i-recommend-it/ http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2004/05/25/volunteer-with-globe-aware-in-peru-i-recommend-it/#comments Tue, 25 May 2004 18:13:43 +0000 kimberly Random http://www.globeaware.com/blog/2006/11/21/volunteer-with-globe-aware-in-peru-i-recommend-it/ Instead of talking about the specific things we experienced in Cuzco, I thought I’d reflect on the volunteer experience in general. I know many of the other volunteers can speak more eloquently about what we experienced and accomplished in Cuzco.

Why would one volunteer for a trip like this? For me, it was a combination of adventure travel and doing something positive. It is kind of a payback for the luck of where and when I was born. Five years ago, I decided I wanted to start volunteering instead of just contributing monetarily to the causes that I felt were important. So when I heard about the chance to volunteer in Cuzco, Peru, I was excited about the prospect. I love to travel, so coupling travel with volunteering was a very appealing opportunity.

As with any volunteer venture, one feels much better about himself as a result. It is a feeling that may surprise you with respect to its intensity and effect on your life. Of course, the principal result of your volunteering is that you are helping someone. Aside from the specific assistance you are providing, I believe North Americans need to get out in the world, not only to experience other people and cultures, but also to have them experience you.

Was this particular volunteer vacation difficult? It was hard and it was easy. There were challenging moments and not everything went well, but overall it was a wonderful life-changing event for me. Traveling to developing countries provides a perspective on how you live as well as how others live. Learning about another culture, not as a tourist, but as an active participant is a wonderful experience. Most people who return from volunteering in developing countries will talk about how they will have a greater sense of appreciation for the lives they lead. While I wholeheartedly agree with this, the thing that stands out to me is that people can be happy without many of the materialistic things we deem as necessary in North America.

I think everyone should help the community in which they live, but volunteer vacations in other countries can be a unique and amazing addition to your life.

Bob Link

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