What would you picture if I told you that these last few days have seen us fall into bed, a pile of sweat, exhaustion, and throbbing muscles. What would you picture if I told you that these last few days have seen us step out into a brave new world, try strange delicious foods, and chew on new languages. What would you picture if I told you that these last… Read More
Hey y’all! You will be hearing that phrase a lot in our blogs I’m sure- Topher says it basically every other word and it is beginning to rub off on the rest of us. Anyways, it is Yesi and Emma here, writing to you from a quaint internet cafe somewhere in the depths of the bustling city of Chiang Mai, Thailand. We have been walking around for about 2 and… Read More
Hey all,
This is Karen and Paige writing to you from an internet cafe somewhere in Chiang Mai. Where? We’re not exactly certain, but we have a map so we’re not lost. We’re having an explore of the city this afternoon. Our leaders judged us ready to release us into the world, armed with with a list of things to find and do. As we have roamed a bit of… Read More
The Southeast Asia group has landed safely in Chiang Mai! After a long journey to the other side of the world, including a delayed flight and a missed connection in Hong Kong, they are getting some well-deserved rest. Future posts on this blog will come from the students themselves, so check in to hear of their adventures.… Read More
The Southeast Asia group has successfully gathered at the airport, and checked in for their international flight in San Francisco. We wish them traveling mercies as they make their journey to the other side of the world. Stayed tuned for further updates from our intrepid group!
… Read More
Greetings from Topher and Julia, your super excited leaders who spent the day running around Portland getting to know each other on a magical scavenger hunt across town.
The excitement is building here in Portlandia. Early morning yoga stretch sessions, costume bowling parties, and fresh hot doughnuts fill our bodies and spirits. Visions of new adventures bounce about our intrepid brains during brief and precious moments of much needed rest. … Read More
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
It is hard to believe that a week from today we will all be back home.
This trip is flying by. Today we wrapped up our last day of free
travel, which started just over a week ago. Planning an entire week’s
worth of activities, transportation and accomodation for nine people
(while remaining within a budget) turned out to be a lot more
challenging than the group had anticipated. However,… Read More
We are quickly approaching the end of our trip, and we have arrived in our third and final country – the marvelous Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh city to be exact, where perhaps the greatest food to grace our earth originates: Pho. Before we ventured to this lovely city, we spent our last week in Cambodia. The week started of with some casual aerobic dancing in a park near the river… Read More
Greetings from Vietnam! It’s hard to believe that we’re in our final country of this three month long adventure. Ho Chi MInh city is amazing so far. The city is remarkably clean and the French influence is evident in both the architecture and excessive sale of pasteries and baguettes. This morning, as a whole, we visited the War Remnants Museum. The entire museum was dedicated to the Vietnam War and… Read More
Blake is back, back again, Blake is back, tell a friend!
Hello again everyone, our Southeast Asia trip has moved on from Thailand and we are now exploring Cambodia. Less than a week ago we flew here not really knowing what to expect, but excited to be here nonetheless. We weren’t disappointed by what we found. A couple of days ago we took a bike ride to three magnificent ruins:… Read More
