Farewell to Uganda-Updates from East Africa

After a bittersweet farewell to the children at SNEC, we headed to Bukinda primary school for four more days of home-cooked meals (Mexican food galore!) and goofing around with kids. It wasn't all just fun and games; however, as we helped construct a play structure and tire swing using fresh lumber and assisted in teaching a few lessons. While the workload wasn't super heavy, our abundant free time allowed us to get to know one another through dance parties, yoga lessons, essential oil classes, and intense card games with one of our hosts, Agnes! However, we are still adjusting to how service work is performed in Uganda and are challenging ourselves to not set expectations based on our preconceived ideas.

Before we set out on our canoe trek on Lake Bunyonyi, we had a chance to explore Kabale on our own and get a taste of what solo travel in a foreign country is like. Some of us hit the dance floor on Friday at a club called "Mist" and showcased our mutual love of 90's R&B.
Early on Saturday we departed for Lake Bunyonyi and embarked in dugout canoes for our first day of trekkin', all while admiring the beautiful hillside communities surrounding us. That night we ate a delicious home-cooked meal at Mama Bena's, a local woman who hosts Edirisa groups, hiked to the top of the island at sunset, and gathered around a bonfire for storytelling. Sunday began with short canoe ride to the island of the Batwa people, who were driven out of their homes in the forest in the early nineties. We were briefly introduced to their way of life, including learning how to shoot a bow and arrow. It was interesting to learn about the different class systems within the tribal system, as most of us were unaware of the oppression of Ugandans by Ugandans.

The rest of the day consisted of an eight-mile hike in the mountains accompanied by a killer quad workout, frequent renditions of songs from The Sound of Music, and a tasty mountaintop picnic. We took a dip at Tom's Island to cool off as we waited for yet another delicious home-cooked meal and cozy bonfire. After another tent slumber party, we awoke to homemade chapatis and a tour of the island led by Tom, himself. He started off by showing us the tree under which he was born and explained how he inherited the island from his grandfather who was also born there. Additionally, he told us about the older generations' way of attaining a wife, which essentially involved kidnapping and potentially raping a woman, thereby trapping her into the marriage. Happy International Women's Day, right? We also talked to our knight in shining armor, our ray of sunshine, our diligent guide, Owen, about his opinion on President Museveni (a very controversial figure in Uganda) and homosexuality. Our last destination on the trek was a craft shop owned by a woman named Anna who taught us how to weave papyrus bracelets.

While we are all going to miss waking up to the beautiful lake views, we look forward to the adventures ahead in Kigali, Rwanda!

Sawatdee Kha-Southeast Asia Updates from Raisa

Happy Trekking!

Hope this post finds you all well and happy wherever you may be out there!

After a two day trek through the Northern hills of Thailand we have found ourselves back in our near and dear city of Chiang Mai- a place we've grown increasingly familiar with over the past few weeks. Each day has felt so much longer here and it's hard to believe that our trek was just a couple days ago. The first day, we spent around 5 hours traveling to a Thai Karen village where we all got to spend the night together in a giant wooden house- which was awesome, it was like a big slumber party in a tree house (my childhood dream come true!) The second day our trek was about half the distance, allowing us the pleasure of a much more leisurely time which we spent taking in the scenery, stopping for a swim and eating a delicious lunch of noodles and veggies wrapped in banana leaves. Our guides even picked up some bamboo along the way to make us all chopsticks by hand! Afterwards, we trekked the rest of the way up to a Thai Lahu village where we all got to stay in a large hut made out of woven bamboo. It wasn't the comfiest night's sleep I've had but my admiration for the skill it took to build the place made it much more bearable. The next morning we had breakfast and set off for bamboo rafting, which some local men had spent the morning building! I can't even put into words the beauty of the water and the surrounding flora of the river… it was truly a delightful experience that I will never forget. Our guides passed along the responsibility of captain to a few of us during calmer waters so they could rest up for the faster currents. It's quite an exhilarating feeling to be directing a giant bamboo raft! When we finally reached our ending point, we were greeted with a lunch of pad thai and fresh pineapple and watermelon- the icing on the cake of a bustling morning. We then had a two hour drive back to Chiang Mai to rest up and prepare for our next adventure. In a few hours we will be boarding an overnight train to the World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya (see a list of sites around the world here: http://wikitravel.org/en/UNESCO_World_Heritage_Site). Although it is sad to think we won't be coming back to Chiang Mai between our upcoming adventures as we have been, it's exceedingly more exciting to think about all the amazing new places we have the privilege of exploring. Our time in Thailand is quickly coming to an end- after Ayutthaya, we will spend a couple nights in Bangkok and wrap it all up with our mindfulness retreat at Thai Plum village learning about the traditions of Thich Nhat Hanh. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are saddened to leave Thailand so soon but are vastly thrilled to embark on new adventures in Cambodia and Vietnam.

All my best until next time friends and family, take care of yourselves!

~Raisa

P.S.
The photos below are from our trek- one through the dry rice paddies, one of our group in front of a herd of cattle and one of a local man working on our bamboo rafts!

Building the rafts we would use...

Part of our Trek

Feeling Right at Home in Southeast Asia

The hustle and bustle of Old Chiang Mai has become a familiar homestead for me. It's the constant place we come back to after new experiences with home-stays, farms, long treks and elephants. Void of my family it has me feeling a bit homesick. Dodging the cars, motorcycles and tuk tuks has become second nature to me, and I surely am going to miss this city. The long alleyways that lead to our new hostel reveal the hidden beauty that this city had to offer. Our hostel is..interesting. While I am grateful for the hot shower and a toilet with both toilet paper AND a trashcan, (a huge luxury) I was given a giant terrycloth towel as a blanket. So that was weird. Not that we needed it though. Today is fairly hot as the city gets covered in a good layer of smoke and pollution from the hill burning. But apparently people from Chiang Mai go to Bangkok to find clean air. 

Alley way in Chang Mai, Thailand

We packed up our things and headed down to the river where we hopped on our bamboo rafts and started our 2.5 hour voyage down the river. Oh my goodness what a spectacular sight to see. I must have said a million times how this would be the perfect location for a movie. It was so beautiful that it seemed surreal. Going down the river was not only beautiful, but it was fun and exhilarating. After every rapid we though the rafts would break apart, and sometimes they did. Ama was standing in the front leading one of the rafts when all of a sudden one of the pieces of bamboo snapped and her leg fell straight through. Luckily she and everyone else who received bamboo rafting battle scars were ok!

We wrapped up our trek, said goodbye to our guides and headed back to Chiang Mai for a rest day. Tomorrow evening we will board an over night train which will take us to Ayutthaya where we will spend the next couple of days exploring this out of this world ancient city. Hopefully I will have an opportunity to post again once we conclude there. But for now I just wanted to say thank you to my parents and the parents of everyone else here on this journey. You all have given us an opportunity to grow and have the experience of a lifetime and for that we are ever so grateful.

Pop gan mai! 

Exploring the "Monument of Love"- Updates from India

After having witnessed the world famous beauty of the Taj Mahal, or the "monument of love" according to Samuel Kessler, the group set off to Varanasi, the city of lights. Straight upon arrival with the overnight train on fell in love with Varanasi, being the oldest city in the world. Straight away one felt at ease with the relaxing and spiritual vibe of the city.

India group sitting in front of the Taj Mahal

You want to know what a classic day for the group in Varanasi looked like?
It started with a grateful smile for being able to eat fresh fruits and salads in the morning at a small cafe, overlooking the holy river Ganges. Afterwards the group was to split and left for their individually chosen internship; whether it was jewelry making, Ayurveda courses, fire dancing or traditional Indian painting… There was lots on offer and creativity went viral! At 10.30 the group came together again to attend the daily Hindi class with our kind local teacher Pinku-ji. In the afternoon everybody in the group enjoyed some free time, reflecting on the daily experiences in India and soaking up some of Varanasi's spirituality, while strolling down its numerous ghats.

Apart from this daily routine, we also shared some special and fascinating moments, like the morning worshiping to the gods at Assi gath, the never ending and world famous fires at the Burning ghats and a traditional as well as highly impressive fire dancing performance. For the perfect ending to our time in Varanasi, the group got up at 5 am to witness a beautiful sunrise, during a boat ride on the Ganges.

Overlooking the holy Ganges River

Now the circle closes again and the group is once more to take a lovely Indian train ride, heading off to our next stop "Bodhgaya", fiercely awaiting Holy, the festival of happiness!

Volcano Trekking-Central America Updates

Kesia tutoring students 

HEY all! Sorry this might be a little late it´s been very busy for us all.  Kesia of the Carpe Diem group wishing everyone´s friends and families and loved ones nothing but the best.
Things have been crazy, wonderful and beautiful!

Xela (from above)

It all started with some heavy duty spanish classes back in the amazing and busy city of Xela. Our spanish classes were 5 hours each with private tutors- so don't be surprised if we all come back with no memory of English. We ate all of our meals with our host families, two per house and in our downtime we all explored the town, volunteered with a local school and took classes in cooking and dance! Our teachers were fantastic and the town is full of energy.
At the end of the week we went for a hike…. for two days over an old volcano called Zuneal. It was one of he hardest things of our life. Everyone carried full backpacks of tents, food and water and sweat our butts off! But the veiw was possibly one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. We were IN the clouds! At the end we stayed in some hot springs and were able to relax a bit.

the view from our trek

pretty stunning!

This week has been a journey of our minds and our bodies and we are doing some yoga and meditation so our spirits can kind of catch up- I am pretty excited to stretch, honestly- Wishing everyone the best and sending our love!

Jungles, Bugs and Ziplines: South America Updates

So, we totally ziplined across this valley! 

We have just arrived in Tena after a short, but adventure-filled week in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

On Monday, we were welcomed by Eduardo (the owner of the land we stayed on), and Lorena and company (the family that had been traveling with us the previous two weeks) as we settled into our cabins and accustomed ourselves to the abnormally sized insects. We spent our day exploring the jungle with Eduardo and learning about all the plants and animals inhabiting it.

On Tuesday, we had four hours of Spanish classes in the morning (exhausting, but necessary) and then in the afternoon we went to the nearby lagoon. The lagoon was so beautiful, not to mention so refreshing, especially after having to walk an hour in the Amazonian heat to find it. Many of us used a rope hanging from a tree to jump into the ice-cold water. Others of us slid down slippery rocks into a little cascade. It was definitely a well-deserved, relaxing afternoon after four hours of intense Spanish classes.

On Wednesday, we went on a 5 hour hike into the jungle led by Eduardo, which mostly consisted of climbing up 5 different waterfalls. The group had an amazing time! Although we were exhausted, cold, and starving by the end of the 5 hours, the adrenaline rushes we had experienced climbing the waterfalls had made it all worth the while.

Not a bad view!

On Thursday, we had Spanish classes again in the morning. My class went to the river right in front of our cabins for the first two hours of class and it was so beautiful! The view of the Amazon from the river took my breath away. After classes, we had an afternoon filled with artisania, or crafts. We learned how to make bracelets with seeds from nearby trees and bushes. We also learned how to weave plastic threads to make a bag. I personally got really into the bracelet making, and ended up staying later to make an extra one. Now, I can confidently say I am a professional at making bracelets.

Friday was our last day in the Amazon. We had Spanish classes in the morning and then got ready to leave to start our student directed travel week. We had to say goodbye to Lorena and her family, which I am sure we could all agree, was the saddest part of the trip so far. They had been with us since the very beginning of the trip at the Banana Farm, so it was extremely hard to say good bye to people who had been such an important part of our experience thus far. They will be dearly missed, and we can only hope that we will meet people as wonderful as them later on in the trip.

As we say goodbye to both a beautiful week and beautiful people, we look forward to the exciting student directed travel week, and also the upcoming months, ahead of us.

The town of Tena

Pun Pun Thailand-South East Asia Updates

Iris and Aurora taking a break after a long day of natural buidling

Hidden in the Thailand fields far away is a community farm, home to peaceful self-reliant leaders, as well as divine food and sustainable harvests. The journey to Pun Pun community farm was a transformation in landscapes, from the chaos and the noise of busy towns, to the serene hum of birds and insects living in harmony with nature. Our visit to Pun Pun was bittersweet, we spent the few days living simply and learning the natural ways to live happy without and money. Leaving this beautiful and solid community was especially difficult.
Along with the awareness of our earth's rich resources and how to nurture the land without disturbing it's health, the sense of love and connection the Pun Pun family welcomed us into was tender and refreshing. The families living in this natural community were extremely friendly. They very mindful of their impact and how to minimize it, and completely accepted our group to learn about their practices. The children growing up and being home schooled on this farm were very insightful and happy individuals. We spoke to many revolutionary leaders apart of the community, and they shared their wisdom about performing work that allows us time for happiness and stress-free living, as well as methods such as yoga and meditation to find peace within ourselves.

Some of the Sabai group making mud (adobe) blocks

From permaculture to seed saving, we glimpsed a life style of self-reliance, and the easy ways to protect our planet without sacrificing our comfortability. We spent every morning learning more about the practices humans have used for thousands of years, but have lost over decades due to our lack of education about agriculture, and our reliance to money. We utilized our hands, heads, and our hearts to commit to the Pun Pun culture, and I believe many of us leave this thriving community with a renewed sense of hope for the future.

Learning simple methods of cooking, making soap, sewing journals, building adobe mud houses, and using natural elements for medicine, our group gained knowledge of how to begin our lives back in the States in a simply and sustainable way. Pun Pun illustrates a thriving community that can continue to be successful and joyful for years to come, and creates an example for the rest of world also beginning trying to evolve into more simply and mindful living. Pun Pun has shown us that health, community, and sustainability are the essentials for a harmonious life.

Learning to make Kambucha

Our next week begins our trek, I cannot imagine the revelations our group will experience in our adventures awaiting us. Thank you to all the supportive and strong family members at home helping us have this eye-opening experience, we will continue to grow and expand our minds during these next few months. Sabai

Kabale Town and SNEC-Africa Updates

What an incredible week we have had! Our exciting Sunday, Feb. 22nd was spent rafting through rapids on the white nile! We also got to swim in the vast calm areas of the river. Our lunch spot had such a majestic view. Our group and our guides were definitely elated to have such a great river trip. Monday morning, a few of us took a thrilling swing into the bay from a rope. That's one great way to wake up! Then, it was off to Kampala for us, where we first explored the incredibly cramped, hectic Oweno market.

This experience was difficult for many of us. We realized it is very impracticle to try to get through that market with a large group. We also experienced some negative attention there, which was new for us. Most people we've encountered so far like to use the endearing phrase, "You are most welcome here!" It is very hospitable. In the Oweno market we heard these kind phrases still, and we also heard people mutter the word "mzungu" angrily in passing and many glaring stares. We felt very in the way! Mzungu is a neutral term for foreigner, and can be used & interpreted in many ways. Many people address us in a friendly manner as mzungu, others shout it from down the road, and young kids say it excitedly because they hardly ever see mzungu. We are not sure how to feel about the term sometimes. It gets old, and some have mentioned feeling like being in a zoo, or feeling like celebrities. Regardless, it is a valuable experience to further explore and try to understand.

Cassandra visits a Mosque in Kampala

Also in Kampala, a couple of us toured a Mosque, ascending a spiral staircase for a vast view in all directions of the bustling city. We had a spicy Indian dinner at a small resturant, and then we found some live reggae to enjoy! Most girls helped sing a song when we arrived. The one man on the dance floor grabbed Marley, Meredith, and Cat to dance at some point in the night!

Colorful Kampala

The next morning we took off on an 8 hour bus ride to Kabale which was more relaxing to some than others. In Kabale we prepared for a few days volunteering with Special Needs Education Center, (SNEC), located in the mountains near the town. We lived in the simplest of ways at SNEC. We had three bedrooms and a room for cooking and dining. This space was stocked with groceries and produce we acquired from super markets and farmers markets in Kabale. We split into groups for meal plans, and had put together a master grocery list.Our meals have all been the healthiest we've eaten so far, and all truly fantastic! We've prepared sandwich lines, salads, spaghetti, grilled cheese, stir fry, fruit salads, fried rice, and various delightful breakfasts including G-nut butter (peanut butter) & nesta (jelly), oats, coffee, tea, fruit and eggs. We fed eleven people really well for four days! We have all really loved the experience of cooking for ourselves. We are actively looking for more oportunities to do it again!

The weather has been awe inspiring. We were at eye level with many clouds amongst the hills. The downpours of rain made the structures so loud that one must yell for the person next to them to hear. These sudden storms usually last only about an hour. The nights in those hills were mostly crystal clear, with more bright, twinkling stars & cloudy galaxies than most of us have ever seen. The moon really illuminates the night and sometimes displays a vast, wonderful halo.

One of our projects with SNEC was to paint one of the classrooms. It was fun drawing lots of animals, numbers, objects and foods, and knowing that they would help kids for years to come. On our last full day there, we made donut holes for the kids, from scratch and with hot coals in a clay pot. Other times were spent running classes and playing games with the kids.

Our time spent with the kids at SNEC was inspiring and full of so many memorable moments. There are about 35 students who stay at the education center with a range of all disabilities. From deafness and autism to other severe mental impairments, these issues never haulted the amount of fun we had with the kids. Such simple games became thrilling activities for them and they all touched us in so many ways.They are all so full of laughter and have such a positive way about them despite the hardships that they have been through.

Our group with the kids at the Special Needs Education Center (SNEC)

Our experiences with children continues through working at Bukinda primary school, right outside Kabale, and we can't wait!
Love to everyone at home!
Meredith and Cat

Photos from South America

Learning some group songs...

Hangin' with our Spanish teachers 

Carnival at the Equator.  We got foamed!

Goodbye Thai Villiage - Southeast Asia Updates

We are getting ready to say goodbye to the people who have kindly cared for us in the past 9 days. It seems as though we have been here for much more time.  Personally, I have had a great time getting to meet my host family & learning from them. The first few days were somewhat of a struggle, but after a few Thai language classes, we have begun to slowly communicate with our families. Speaking of our amazing host families, we all recieved Thai names! (with the unique exception of Raisa). All names had beautiful meanings. Some were the translation for flowers, sky, beautiful… And then Raisa's name: Puut Thai. "Puut Thai," meaning "speak Thai." Now we know pronunciation is critical in the Thai language.

Besides going to Thai language classes, the ladies of Carpe Diem had a unique opportunity to perform at a Temple Fair with the local village dance team. Every evening we would head down to the village park for practice, but we were not notified until the night before the performance! At least we had our moves well coordinated! (for the most part).

Here are some pictures of the Temple Festival and of our humble, loving village:)