Blog
Ayubowan from Sri Lanka!
Kaila here, writing from Millennium Elephant Foundation on the beautiful, tropical island of Sri Lanka! It took a few days but I did adapt to the thick humid heat, and have since enjoyed every second of my time here! I have been here for just over a month now, with another Carpe Diem student, Brooklynn. As Brooklynn’s blog covered most of the basics, with us there are usually 15 other… Read More
Carpe Diem in Rio Muchacho
Before arriving yesterday in Arequipa, Carpe Diem had been in Rio Muchacho for the last week. Rio Muchacho is an organic farm situated 10 kilometers outside of Canoa, a surfing town. After a day chilling on the beach, we bused into Rio Muchacho, needing to cross 2 rivers to do so. Rio Muchacho is self sustainable and dedicated to environmentalism in every possible way. A few examples: the toilets feed… Read More
The last two weeks!
Apologies for the lack of blog updates we have been having some internet issues. Almost two weeks ago now we arrived in Mufindi after multiple long yet enjoyable bus rides to start our week working at the children’s village. To begin with we were divided into three groups with each group alternating between working in daycare, kindergarten and the sowing school during the week. On Saturday, we had the surprisingly… Read More
Farm Life…
This evening we arrived at the Verdonk Family Farm. We were welcomed with an amazing view of the rolling hills and a very cozy house to stay in. We met our contacts Anne, Tom, Sam, Roxy, Malcom, Nana, Shielah, and Bob. Everyone was so friendly and nice, they made us feel at home. Our first dinner was made for us and consited of; juicy burgers; fat sausages; zesty salad; broiled… Read More
Goodbye Figi, Hello New Zealand!
hello all, Maddie here. So what an adventure we have had so far. Everything has been amazing. We just left the Village of Nananu a couple days ago and it is crazy to go from village life to big time Auckland City. I think everyone was happy to move on from the village to our new spot. It was sad to say goodbye to the village but they will always… Read More
Photos and update from Madison in Senegal!
As my trip is tipping toward the half way mark, Im amazed by how quickly time has passed. In the last month and a half I have met people and have had experiences that will have a lasting effect on my life. Im continually attempting to make sense of the passed events I have witnessed while volunteering with Maison de la Gare. Ive come to the realization that it… Read More
Hola from Cali, Colombia! Que mas?
As I write this, I am sitting on my terrace enjoying the humming of birds and the thick jungle that surrounds the property. Can life get much better?! I have now been living here for a little bit more than a month, and can honestly say it’s been one of the most (if not THE) most profound, beautiful and transformative experiences of my life. It seems with every day that… Read More
“Primo Ultimo Settimattina”
As the week later became sunny, the snow ceased to fall and the weekend approached for much needed to rest from taking in the rapid immersion of the Italian culture, language, new duties at my placement, finishing a number of bicycle tour projects, the jet lag and making myself at home. I looked forward to getting some extra sleep.
Or so I thought. (Little did I know I was going… Read More
Hello from Sri Lanka!!
Update from Brooklynn Conner Bend, Oregon!
Hello all from hot, humid, green, and gorgeous Sri Lanka. I am one month in to my three month stay at Millennium Elephant Foundation, in Kegalle Sri Lanka. After a few days of adjusting to a 13 1/2 hour time difference my time here has really flown by. I am one of about 15 other volunteers, one being a fellow Carpe student Kaila… Read More
Kolkata and the Vegetarian Big Mac
We arrived in Kolkata one week ago today. I was surprised to see that the city did not live up to the terrifying descriptions that Indians in Varanasi had supplied: “Don’t drink the water or eat ANY of the food outside of the most pristine restaurants. That stuff will make even us sick.” More told stories that made my fears grow wilder. In reality the city is very modern and… Read More
Greetings From New Zealand!- Walker
Hello from New Zealand! We just got back from hiking up a very large mountain which happened to be next to where they filmed Mt. Doom from The Lord of the Rings. Everyone did great and we completed the entire hike in less than six hours and ahead of schedule. It’s amazingly beautiful here, there is so much to see and do. It’s sad that we have to leave… Read More
Lions and Tigers, and Galapagos Toroises, OH MY!
Hola, Buenos Tardes from Guayabillas, Ibarra, Ecuador!!!
Just a quick update from Regina Huston, from Indianapolis, IN!
Guayabillas is a resue center for many wild animals. They take in animals that have been kept in horrible conditions, injured, or simply need a new and better home. Without government funding, they function soley off of donations from multiple people and organizations, which also includes volunteer donations. Volunteers stay either with a… Read More
Miranda reporting from Quito
Life has become a smorgasbord of inconsistencies of late. I get up early and talk to my homestay family, meet up with the other volunteers, and take a rickety bus through the south side of Quito to one of twelve markets where we work with the organization UBECI – United to Benefit Ecuadorian Children.
The markets are loud and hot and it’s not surprising to see dead animals, live… Read More
Xela to Lake Atitlan: a tale of courage, hope, and never ending dirtlines
Fuentes Georginas, a natural hot spring spa about 45 minutes outside of Xela
Larry, Katie S, Katie B, and Jonathan relaxing in one of Fuentes “cooler pools”
Jonathan and Katie P taking in the view at Fuentes Georginas… What an artsy pic (photo creds to Katie S)
A painfully bad attempt at salsa by our group… Gringos got no rhythm
Russell, Becca G, and the 3 Katie’s soaking in some… Read More
The Long Road to San Marcos…
I can´t speak for everyone, but I was definitely sad to say goodbye to Xela. The city was a wonderful place where all of us learned so much about Spanish, the culture, and how to dance salsa! It was an amazing experience. Our next experience was also amazing, but in a very different way.
We began our overland trek to Lake Atitlan on Saturday morning, with a nice and early… Read More
WWOOFING in New Zealand
Six days ago, We arrived in Auckland, NZ. We then spent two days in Auckland exploring the city and stocking up on everything from toiletries to snacks for our week of wwoofing (willing workers on organic farms). Auckland was absolutely incredible. It was a city nearly as big as philadelphia but with a completely different feel. People were quite friendly and there were beautiful views everywhere you looked. But what… Read More
A few more photos from Pucara
A friendly round of tug-of-war
Cecelia practicing a vital “Inca Warrior” skill – that of catching a chicken
The group after the minga in Pucara.… Read More
