This is it!

Archive India- SHANTI
HEY! Our last post left off in Bikaner, home of the Camel Man and the desert in which we safaried through atop smelly camels. Early in the morning on December 7th, we rickshawed our way to the train station and spent two 6 hour train rides playing tai-pan and laughing, finding ourselves in a foggy midnight Agra, eager to see the Taj Mahal the next morning. The day of the… Read More

Final goodbye from you trusty OE’s…

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
Team leaders Brooke and Greg offered their final goodbyes on December 9th (Asia Time) 2013. In a rushed yet emotionally sincere exchange at the airport in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam the final weeks student leaders, along with Greg and Brooke, scrambled to collect everyones bags and set the crew on their way back home. After three months of deliberate living, intentional action and service offerings to life, we parted ways,… Read More

Free Travel and Closing Adventures

Archive India- SHIVA
It seemed like just yesterday we were brainstorming places to go for free travel–the portion of the trip where the leaders step back and the students take charge; we determined where we wanted to go, planned the activities, navigated transportation, sorted out accommodations, and kept track of the budget. In a sense, it is the grand culmination of our adventure. The first stop was Bundi, a small desert town in… Read More
Archive South Pacific- WALKABOUT
Hello Parents and followers of Carpe Diem Walkabout FANZ blog, We just received word from Robbie and Katelyn that the students have departed Cairns, Australia for their long journey back home. This marks the end of this program, but not the end to the growth, friendships, and knowledge gained during these past 3 months. We (including the leaders) wish the best for all participants and hope that everyone will continue… Read More

Havasupai Finale and Flagstaff Full Circle

Archive Indigenous America
This past Monday in Tucson, just coming back from Mexico, we took some down time some down time chillin’ in a yurt, as one does, while staying at La Vita House, which is a great youth hostel catering to international crowds. We then got to spend some quality time with an intriguing man named Lench.  At his home which he opened to us generously, he led us through several activities… Read More

Group is U.S. bound!

Archive East Africa- KIFARU
Hello Parents and followers of Carpe Diem KIFARU East Africa blog, We just received word from Grant and Gwen that the students have departed Tanzania for their long journey back home. This marks the end of this program, but not the end to the growth, friendships, and knowledge gained during these past 3 months. We (including Grant and Gwen) wish the best for all participants and hope that everyone will… Read More

Try the Train Chai ~ FREE TRAVEL!

Archive India- SHANTI
Guys… we made it. And we’re going out with a bang a camel safari, an Indian wedding and the Taj Mahal in 7 days? With three trains, two buses and innumerable auto-rickshaws, it’s possible. We spent the first days of our free travel continuing our stay in Mcleod Ganj. On December 2nd we left our Tibetan homestay families with an exchange of white scarves and satisfied our sweet… teeth with… Read More

Home

Archive Central America- MAYA
***This post is a few hours late…my sincerest apologies! It’s been a splendidly crazy last day!*** 28 hours, 1,680 minutes, 1 sunset, 2 flights, 6 meals, and 10 goodbyes left. 83 days, 2 major holidays, the transition from summer to fall, fall to winter, the tail end of 2013, and one full semester all passed, gone, flashed away.  Where in the world did the time go? ‘Tis our last full… Read More

Mo, Mo’ Momos?

Archive India- SHANTI
Our time in McLeod has been a whirlwind taste of independence and Tibetan culture! We decided to individually do activities specific to our interests and all of us participated in volunteering and an internship. Activities included a cooking internship (mo’ momos please), mala making/dream catchers, and flute lessons. All of us taught English to Tibetans (many of them monks) and found that looking at your own language from a new… Read More

Gratitude from Scott

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
I would like to begin by saying that this semester has been the best three months of my life. Though it had its ups and downs, it was worth every second. South East Asia and my group, have become like a new home and family respectively. I would like to thank my family for supporting me in choosing to participate in this gap year. Another big thank you goes out… Read More

Gratitude from Bo

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents and family for supporting me not only in my decision to partake in this gap year travel adventure, but for supporting me in all my choices in life. Also for supporting me financially too. You guys rock. Greg and Brooke, you guys made this trip what it was with your consistent positiveness and your unfaltering leadership. Both of you have… Read More

Gratitude from Seth

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
I want to thank my loving parents because I would not be the same person I am today without their support. A big thank you to Brooke and Greg for making this trip the best trip I have ever had. They both inspire me, especially to travel the world and I will never forget either of them. Thank you to Carpe Diem headquarters for confiding in me no matter how… Read More

Gratitude from Katie

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
Mum and Dad: You guys are the best. Thank you for your never faltering love and interest in what I’m doing. And thank you for the travel bug! I would not be here without you. I am so grateful you allowed me to participate in this program. I cannot wait to see you soon Headquarters: You have planned quite the itinerary! From the home-stays in Thailand to touring wats in… Read More

Gratitude from Collin

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
This trip has been the greatest experience of my life. My fellow group members have not only become friends, but family as well. This trip has shown me how big the world is and how fun it is to explore it. I want to thank my mom for her support in encouraging and supporting me to go on this journey. Without her this wouldn’t have been possible. I also want… Read More

Gratitude from Jake

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
First I’d like to send the biggest shoutout to my wonderful parents, Frank and Suzanne. Of course if it wasnt for you I wouldn’t be here right now. Thank you for being the best parents in the world and supporting me. Brooke and Greg, our amazing OE’s, made this trip what it was- they took us to the river and inspired each one of us to drink from it, metaphorically.… Read More

Gratitude from Blake

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
Hello to everyone back home, We’re wrapping up our time here and starting to prepare for the long trip back home. I feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful experience with an amazing group of people. None of this could have happened without the support of so many people back in the states. My friends and family have been such an inspiration for me to join Carpe, and… Read More
Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
The past week has been incredible and the cherry on top of our already delicious travel adventures. The week began with the closing two days of free travel. We used the penultimate day of free travel to embark on a day trek into the Phu Quoc National Park. From there we traveled to one of Forbes Top 10 Most Beautiful Beaches located on a remote part of the island. Though… Read More

swag.

Archive South Pacific- HONGI
G’day all! It’s Amy here checking in from Cairns (that’s pronounced “Cans”, for all those unaware) as we’re starting to wrap up our long and wonderful journey with Carpe Diem. This past week has been a whirlwind of activity. As Shelby stated in her blog, we spent the majority of the past week doing an outback tour with Wayoutback Tours.  The week involved a lot of getting up early, hiking,… Read More