WE ARE SAFE

Archive India- SHANTI
Varanasi, for a lot of us has been a pretty independent time for all of us. So no matter how hard I try I will probably not be able to capture everyone’s emotions and feelings on our time in Kashi, a city full of roaming cows and the dung they leave behind. October 1st… Was no different from any other day in the luminous city, we started the morning off… Read More

Kashi: The Luminous One

Archive India- SHANTI
Today, this day was a brimming cup, today, this day was the immense wave, today, it was all the earth. Today the stormy sea lifted us in a kiss so high that we trembled in a lightningflash and, tied, we went down to sink without untwining. Today our bodies became vast, they grew to the edge of the world and rolled melting into a single drop of wax or meteor.… Read More

A day in the life: Auckland

Archive South Pacific- WALKABOUT
Day in Auckland with Sadie and Rita: Today we explored all of Auckland learned our way around following the fan trail to Eden Park.  On our way we were greeted by many friendly locals that helped us find our way around town.  We also, stopped at some of the many shops on the way that caught our eyes. HAHAHA!! Loving everything about New Zealand so far also, when we arrived… Read More

Adventures of las Ardillas!

Archive Central America- MAYA
At long last pictures are here! Special thanks to Kristen for being the photographer. Jacob, Turner and Bjorn in their tradional clothing. The group before we ventured up Volcano St. Thomas The group in Pasac before we danced the night away! The mines at San Mcguel, post mountain top removal Abbie, Kristen, Amanada with the lovely nurses who dignosed us. The mob Kristin encountered after the futball game. GO XELA!… Read More

Rabulu Village

Archive South Pacific- HONGI
Bula! Looking back at our time in Rabulu Village I see the beauty of the simplicity in Village life. A small community of 72 houses full of people who welcomed us not only into their way of life but into their homes as part of their families. We not only became part of families but also party of a community; the time there was peaceful, the village safe everyone so… Read More

Update: Beginning Himalayan Trek!!

Archive India- SHIVA
Tashi Delek from McLeod Ganj!  We’re packed and ready for our trek into the Himalayas!  We hope to reach Triund Hill and enjoy a beautiful view of the neighboring mountain peaks without too much rain and harsh weather–we’ll post pictures when we get the chance, but for now, there are some breathtaking previews if you do a quick google search.  We’ll be back after a 4 day adventure so stay… Read More

Jaipur/”The Pink City”

Archive India- SHANTI
Cobie here reporting from the land of camels, turbans and prosthetic feet…for Shanti group land of air conditioned bus rides, home stays, and fine dining. Jaipur! Sept 19th, we took a bus from Delhi to Jaipur. Upon arrival we were whisked off by Reshi Ji (our tour guide/program director) to the home of lovely Reika (co-director/artist/retired professor). After a short orientation and some hot Chai we were sent to meet… Read More

Tashi delek!

Archive India- SHIVA
Tashi delek from McLeod Ganj! We may still be in India but it practically feels like another country because the culture, food, and even language here is so different! In fact, Indians are actually the minority here in McLeod Ganj as it is home to thousands of Tibetans in exile who wished to escape the human rights abuses inflicted by the Chinese government. McLeod Ganj is SO COOL and different… Read More

Getting the hang of it

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
For the last week or so we’ve been immersed in our home stays. The major changes from here and Chiang Mai, is that rather the awkward timid use of our Thai, and having to awkwardly decline the vendors at street markets after they have informed us not only of their difficult financial situation, but also their several kids which they must feed (I’m not so sure they were always telling… Read More

CAM (Maya) Blog 2

Archive Central America- MAYA
Whatup families, friends, and creepers. Just a quick update of what we´ve been up to! We finished strong in Pasac after after surviving the trek up the volcano Pecul and serving our last day dancing in the Quitche traditional attire. It was a wonderful experience and we have definitly learned to appreciate basic luxaries. We spent one night with the Rights Action group in San McGuel. This is where we… Read More

Meke in Rakiraki

Archive South Pacific- WALKABOUT , , , ,
Sadie and Mike reporting from the front lines in Rakiraki, Fiji! We have been up to a lot since our last blog post in Nadi. We headed to the village of Nananu last Sunday and have been showered with love and affection from the local villagers. We have also been hard at work, building stairs and pathways from homes to the main road. Unfortunately, since arriving in Nananu, illness has… Read More

Jambo From Tanzania!

Archive East Africa- KIFARU
We have been in the bush lately and apologize  for no updates! We’ll fill you in on our first of many adventures! We all arrived safely with the plane landing in the parking lot of the Kilimanjaro Airport. We were greeted by the spotty electricity of Africa. Our first four days were spent at a local hostel, La Oasis. Having little experience in the town of Arusha, our leaders set… Read More

First Days in Delhi

Archive India- SHANTI
Hello, this is Kat, and I believe I’m the first student blogger. We’re all here and safe. Sorry about the lack of blogging so far; it’s been really, really busy so far. First of all, a couple of us have been sick, but we’ve all been better by the next day. Jake was sick the worst so far, but don’t worry; it was just “meat withdrawals.” The first shock when… Read More

Bula from Tavua!

Archive South Pacific- HONGI
It is now Saturday and we have now been on this glorious adventure for a full week and each day keeps getting better and better. This past Tuesday is when we made the trip from Lautoka to Rabulu, which is the village where we will be staying until the 3rd of October. Before meeting Kali (our local contact who would take us to the village) the whole group was overcome… Read More

Moving Forward…

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
Fun fact: Bangkok actually means ‘olive fruit’. The capital city of Thailand is refered to as Grung Tep by Thais. We’ve had 3 formal Thai lessons so far, learning basic greetings: Sawadee ka (for ladies)/kap (for gents) – Hi Sa baa dii mai ka/kap – How are you? Sa baa dii ka/kap – Good Slowly but surely the group is getting the hang of the 5 Thai tones. Our teacher… Read More

Chapter 1

Archive Central America- MAYA
HOLA AMIGOS Y FAMILIAS! We are all having so much fun with our new Carpe Diem family, whom it seems like we have known for much more than just one week! We started our adventure in Antigua staying at the beautiful Earth Lodge, and exploring the city. The food at the Earth Lodge was AMAZING, we were spoiled compared to what we are sure is to come during the rest… Read More

A Change in Pace

Archive India- SHIVA
India is incredible already.  After many many cups of chai, platters of naan and spicy curry, and scents of fried bread, incense, sewage, and sweat, it feels as though we’ve lived here for weeks. The wonderful chaos feels like home, and it seems like our group is already family. The thirty-something hours of journeying to arrive here were well spent- getting to know the other group members, watching movies on… Read More

Earthquake in Sikkim

Archive India- SHIVA
We’ve been in communication with the group leaders and all is well – in fact very little has registered that there was an earthquake in Sikkim, but since it could potentially affect the group’s volunteering there, it’s something we felt prudent to communicate to parents and vicarious travelers alike. As many of you may have heard, there was an earthquake centered in Sikkim yesterday that measured 6.8 on the Richter… Read More

Earthquake in Sikkim

Archive India- SHANTI
We’ve been in communication with the group leaders and all is well – in fact very little has registered that there was an earthquake in Sikkim, but since it could potentially affect the group’s volunteering there, it’s something we felt prudent to communicate to parents and vicarious travelers alike. As many of you may have heard, there was an earthquake centered in Sikkim yesterday that measured 6.8 on the Richter… Read More

Dehli is Delightful

Archive India- SHIVA
Namaste! Just a quick note to those out there that the students and leaders are doing well. We have been enjoying our Orientation to Dehli and all the glorious sights, smells, and sounds.  Our first 12 hour train ride happens tonight. We’ve been learning Hindi and getting used to some of the customs.  Official language classes start next week where we also move to cooler climates and might not sweat… Read More