Thailand or Bust!

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
Carpe Diem!  Seize the day … because today we have a full Southeast Asia group and they are looking chipper and ready to dive in!  It was remarkably pain free to meet everyone in SFO, and I’m looking forward to lots of “aha” moments throughout the next three months! May the journey be meaningful, fun, and full! Yours in spirit, Ethan Knight, Executive Director… Read More

South America in da HAUS

Archive South America- INTI
Here we are – together in the wee hours of the night, with all of your sons and daughters getting ready to fly to South America?!?!  … and this year’s group is full of excited, smart, and caring individuals who are all united at the Los Angeles International Airport and through security as I type! May the ease of this years group union be an omen for things to come.… Read More
Archive Central America- MAYA
Somehow, with more than 6 billion people in the world, we’ve managed to bring together THIS particular group of students and staff … from all corners of the country.  It’s really quite a remarkable thing if thought about in such a manner. The group is officially together at the San Francisco airport … rearing to go in a few short hours, and this journey is about ready to begin! May… Read More
Archive South Pacific- WALKABOUT
Well, to all the parents, friends, and vicarious travelers, it’s official: WALKABOUT is in da house!  As far as group unions go this one was incredibly painless and I think I can safely say it’s an auspicious beginning to 3 months of a journey none of us will forget. May it be a fruitful, safe, inspired, and profound trip. Yours in heart, Ethan Knight, Executive Director… Read More

Almost Time! Africa Fall ’11

Archive East Africa- KIFARU
Salama! Here in Portland the Carpe Diem headquarters are bursting with energy as everyone prepares for their upcoming trips.  We couldn’t be more excited to be heading to East Africa with all of you!  Hopefully you’ve had a chance to go over the itinerary and share it with your families; if not, pull out a map, check out the route, and get ready for adventure with new friends! Throughout our… Read More
Archive South America- INTI
FYI: The SAM group will meet at the TACA Check In Counter (LAX)! Meghan and I will be there beginning at 9:00pm, and will check in every hour until the group is complete (10:00pm, 11:00pm, and so on). Our flight leaves at 2:25am…yes, our initial travel itinerary is unique 🙂 Meghan and James … Read More
Archive South America- INTI
Yippee!!!! Yes, intrepid travelers, adventure lovers, seekers of worldly knowledge, we are nearing our departure for magical South America! The excitement is building, and Meghan and I are finishing the final touches on what will be, with loads of help from each of you, an amazing journey. Are you stoked? Maybe a little anxious? Great! Enjoy the process of preparing for discovery; of letting go of the “normal” routines for… Read More

Namaste! (aka Sup!)

Archive India- SHIVA
Greetings Gang of Magnificent Travelers! The first post of the semester!!!!  We have returned from our summers in Peru and are super excited to be in Portland focusing all of our energy on the upcoming semester in India. We are not much more than a week away from seeing all of you in the San Francisco airport and beginning our epic journey around the world. It’s going to be an… Read More

Hello Walkabout!

Archive South Pacific- WALKABOUT
Hey Walkabout family! We are super excited to meet all of you – only 5 days and counting! Back at HQ, we’re like busy bees, buzzing around the office, making sure we’re as prepared as can be for our upcoming adventure! The weather in Portland is surprisingly hot, getting us pumped for our first stop, Fiji! We can’t wait to get to know you and hear all your stories. During… Read More

First Post for Shanti Fall 2011!

Archive India- SHANTI
Namaste, from your very enthusiastic leaders, Simone and Ole!! This blog is a place for you to post photos, tell stories and share your experiences with friends and family back home. Send your loved ones this link so they can see and read about the places that your adventurous spirit is taking you. Throughout our semester, each of you will have the opportunity to post to this blog, documenting our… Read More
Archive South Pacific- HONGI
Hello FANZ Hongi, Meet your travel crew… Matt, Andrea, Krysten, Caroline, Alistair, Ruby, Francesca, Casey, Trent, Avery, Katherine, Dan and Greta. We may be strangers in cyber space right now, but in a week we’ll all be living as a community, bouncing around the South Pacific.  We are excited to leave the office behind, meet all of you, and get on the plane to Fiji. Remember: LAX, Air Pacific Counter, … Read More

La Invitación…

Archive Central America- MAYA
Hola Aimig@s, Amandita and Benjamin here at the Carpe Diem office in Portland, OR, sending salutations and good thoughts to you all.  The more we prepare for this trip the more excited we become to meet you all and begin exploring Central America together. It is only a few days that we will introduce ourselves at the SFO airport face to face, forming our own unique band of travelers.  Shortly… Read More

Southeast Asia here we come…

Archive Southeast Asia- SABAI
Hello from Portland!  Here at Carpe HQ we are enthusiastically preparing for the upcoming semester in Southeast Asia.  Not too much longer and we’ll be on our way to Thailand!  We will calling you all in a few weeks to touch base before we head out, but until then you are welcome to call or email with any questions that come up.  Looking forward to meeting you all next month!… Read More

On our final encounters

Archive Central America- QUETZAL
We sat in a circle on a square wooden platform built on the powder white sand beach in front of our hotel, a collection of aging bungalows arranged on a secluded beach like driftwood scattered amongst sea grape and mangrove trees. The platform by day functions as an area to bronze or burn and, for most visitors, drink beer or brightly colored cocktails while watching the sunlight change the color… Read More

The Journey Onward

Archive South Pacific- WALKABOUT
Greetings and Goodbye, my friends. We find ourselves now back in the old familiar places – those places that seemed so comfortable and cozy when we were preparing for a whirlwind trip with twelve strangers. Now we’re a family that’s been strewn back across the states – physically distant but with new bonds that can’t be broken by space and time. Think of all of us often, and reach out… Read More

We’re Baaack!

Archive South America- INTI
And missing all of you. It was a long few flights back home with Jefe and Sarita and then we said our goodbyes, and then there were 2. We are back in Portland now going through photos and budget (it never ennnnnddds…) and can’t believe that its all over. So many good memories, laughs, long meetings, card championships, oreos, band practice, rice, headstands, bread, and looooove. Thank you all for… Read More

Sprindia Nahi Bahar Hai

Archive India- SHIVA
Coming home is as much a part of the journey as leaving. It does not make it easier when you not only have to say goodbye to an amazing country like India but also to a group of wonderful friends. Friends whom you have spent the last three months with, friends who were there when you were ecstatically happy, when you were feeling tired, friends who made you laugh, friends… Read More
Archive South Pacific- WALKABOUT
And here is Hannah’s… Memory:  Originally, I’d say something like horseback riding or scuba diving were my favorite memories. but now, upon returning home, looking back with an outside perspective my favorite memories are the ones when we were together as a family. when we had a hostel room together in Nadi. when we all made it to the top of mt. doom, together. when all snuggled at the Marae.… Read More
Archive South Pacific- WALKABOUT
Well I feel like a complete arse I totally forgot about Christine’s and Cliff’s quotes…please forgive me I haven’t slept in 2 days. Christine-   Memory:  It is so hard to sum up these past three months and pick one memory but if I must it has to be our time on the Routeburn.  It was filled with fun. adventures and family.                   What’s Next-  I have had a blast over… Read More