Follow the Journey

Namaste. We have been trekking in the Himalayas, far away from Internet cafes. Here is our hand written blog post from midway through our time in the mountains. We are heading to Darjeeling today, so stay tuned.… Read More

… Read More

Hello World! Greetings from Kolkata! It is Paulo Alfaro writing on behalf of the India Shanti Group! For the second straight week I have been appointed Blogger. As always, every week here in beautiful India has been a completely different, challenging, unbelievable, yet fascinating adventure. Since arriving in Kolkota the past Sunday, we have been volunteering for Missionaries of Charity. An non-profit organization established by the great Mother Teresa a… Read More

Greetings from Kolkata! Hello outside world! It is Paulo Alfaro writing on behalf of the Shanti group here in India. The last week has been a whole new experience out of this world. India’s diversification never ceases to amaze me. Every single place we go is a completely different, wonderful, jaw-dropping experience. It is truly magical. And everyday I am grateful to have chosen such a beautiful place to spend… Read More

… Read More

From the beautiful sunsets in the lake city of Udaipur to the breathtaking sunrises in the village of Jahdol, this week has been a perfect mix of India’s amazing city and country life. We all loved spending time in the peaceful countryside at the foot of the himalaya’s in Jahdol with our homestay families and teaching english at the local all girls elementary school. Now we’re back in Udaipur enjoying… Read More

everyone is enjoying their time at their home stays. yesterday we went to the blue pottery, a textiles and pottery shop where we learned how to do printing on very soft cotton with ink and beautifully hand crafted stamps. we also made elephant prints that we were able to take, Alex and James got them printed on their shirts. after lunch we were lectured on Indian policy, parliamentary democracy and… Read More

Kenya and Paulo here! Namaste from India! we have been staying at the Wongdhen house and loving every minute of it. Today is the last day of orientation and we (the shanti group) have been getting to know each other better over various meals at delicious restaurants and a very intense , sass filled game of late night UNO. We have consumed copious amounts of morning chai, because chai is… Read More

Straight from New Delhi, India, here’s the report. After an exhausting airplane ride and an exciting first few days in India, I’m happy to say we’re all doing fine and enjoying each other’s company. Lots of strange new foods have been eaten and lots of stories are yet to be made. Hope everything is going well in America! -Alex… Read More

Our first days in Dehli have been soundaryayukt (beautiful). We are enjoying the views from our peaceful guest house in the hectic city where we see birds of prey, stray dogs, and water-buffalo wander the streets. We have already been touched by the magic of India on our trip yesterday to the temple of Kali, the goddess of death. The food is already beyond our high expectations and we cant… Read More

INDIA!!! DELHI!!!!! Hello from Georgia and James! Currently we are finishing up our scavenger hunt (obviously we are going to win). Today we traveled by Rickshaw and, bravely, the Metro, to a Bazaar on Chandi Chowk in Old Delhi. We ate some spicy Aloo (potatoes) and bread with a married couple and an interesting silent man. After, we walked through a park and a guy called James out as a… Read More

The mighty Shanti group has successfully gathered at the San Francisco airport and checked in for the first leg of the their flight to the other side of the world. Stay tuned to hear from the group in India!… Read More

Shanti: From Sanskrit śānti ‘peace, tranquility’. Namaste Shanti Crew! Kelsi and Jonathan here, your overseas educators for the next three months. We have the honor and privilege of writing Shanti’s first of many upcoming blogs! The authors of the future blogs are going to rotate through our group and will allow each of you, our Carpe Diem students, to share the adventures of the Shanti crew in your own unique… Read More

Wow, what a semester here in India! I am sure you all are feeling a little jet-lagged after your long flights home, and hopefully not too overwhelmed being back in America. We are missing you all already, and really reflecting on our time spent with you all. We couldn’t be more grateful for our group, and feel so honored to have travelled with you all for the past three months.… Read More

We’ve received word that the mighty Shanti group has checked in to the airport. They are on their way to their respective homes. Traveling mercies to you all. Thanks for making this a fantastic semester.… Read More

Thank you, India, for letting me squeeze into your overcrowded population for the past 3 months. You have taught me more than I dreamed possible when I landed in Delhi. You have opened my eyes to new cultures, new beliefs, and new perspectives. Thank you for teaching me that life never goes as planned and that an open mind and flexible attitude can get one through almost anything. You taught… Read More

This morning I feel grateful for opportunity. My parents, who worked hard to be where they are at, have provided me with the opportunity to pay for this trip, and the support and encouragement to take a different path then most. My anthropology teacher, Mr. Lopilato, who introduced me to the possibility of a gap year, and the wonders of India. My leaders and my group, who gave me the… Read More

Until we humans reach a certain age (which all of us Carpe students have yet to reach), we are essentially leaches siphoning society’s resources and offering nothing in return. The more and more clearly I begin to see this, the greater sense of duty I feel towards my species, which has come incredibly far to provide me with the comforts and opportunities I take for granted every day. The nozzle… Read More

The last day of latitudes orientation in Portland, the day we left for India, these words were swirling around in my head: I am grateful to be Heart beating, lungs breathing So joyus and free And even though the hard times are all around me, I am grateful to be. Like the birds in the sky Like a dragonfly And even like the trees all shimmering and free, I am… Read More