tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21664892200121828462024-03-18T20:23:05.621-07:00My travel blogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837130696780029334noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166489220012182846.post-17281615023883075692013-02-07T02:34:00.002-08:002013-02-17T12:41:48.642-08:00Wwoofing, HelpX and Workcamps - short term volunteering<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After I already wrote an article about opportunities for long term volunteering, I want to show you some examples and possibilities for short term volunteering today.S o if you have only a few weeks, but want to do something, this might be perfect for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="color: #6aa84f;">WWOOF </b><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><b>stands for world wide working on organic farms. So basically, the idea is that people work for 5 to 7 hours a day 4 to 5 days a week on an organic farm and get free food and accommodation in exchange. It is a great way to learn new skills, have fun, learn the language and get in contact with local people. Sometimes you will be the only wwoofer who stays with the family, sometimes there will be other volunteers as well. It is easy how it works</b></span></span><span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>: you just have to sign up for the country you want to go, which costs about 20 euro for a year. Then you get a list of farms with a short description and contact details. So your task is to write them a nice mail, telling when and why you want to stay at their farm etc. You can arrange everything individually with them e.g. length of stay, working hours, tasks...</b></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.wwoof.org/">Official website with links to every country</a> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">HELPX </span><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">works similar than wwoof, but you can find a lot more different things you can work on. It is not for farms, but also for homestays or working as a nanny. More information you can find here <a href="http://www.helpx.net/">www.helpx.net</a></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">WORKCAMPS </span><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">are a bit different from wwoofing and helpX. You can choose a certain project and go there to volunteer for a few weeks togteher with other volunteers from different countries . Mostly you have to pay around 150 Euro to the Organisation, and then a bit for food and accomodation. I did it in Serbia in 2011 and had to pay 15 urp for 2 weeks. So praktically nothing. </span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cfe2f3;">For more information:</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><a href="http://www.workcamps.info/">SCI</a></span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837130696780029334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166489220012182846.post-72948432433779570932013-02-04T03:08:00.000-08:002013-02-05T07:28:58.797-08:00Ireland 2010 - the first time backpacking<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/37614_1560619374547_6075866_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="233" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maria and me as typical tourists</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am in love with Ireland as long as I remember. The green, the music, the pubs, the Irish accent...all this makes me feel like home. I don't know why, it is just there. So I decided to travel to Ireland for 3 month after I finished school in summer 2010. The plan was a mix between travelling and wwoofing (world wide working on organic farms, I will write a separate article about that later). My first problem was, that none of my friends wanted to come with me, not even for a couple of weeks and I was too insecure to travel around on my own at this time. So I started to look for a potential travel partner on the internet. After a few weeks, I "met" Maria. We had approximately the same ideas of travelling around: we didn't want to make too many plans in advance, wanted to travel on a low budget, meeting people etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, we both booked our flights and met at Dublin airport on the 14th July. I was excited and a bit nervous, because I never met her before and didn't know how we would getting on with each other. But everything worked and I'd say we became really good friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had only booked a hostel for the first 3 nights in Dublin, everything else we wanted to do spontaneously. We had also booked a bus ticket for traveling for 3 weeks on every Bus Eireann bus "for free" and had a rough idea where we wanted to go and what we wanted to see.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/72128_1679444945112_2251976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/72128_1679444945112_2251976_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donegal<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/33589_1678155632880_7707504_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/33589_1678155632880_7707504_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring of Kerry<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/67466_1679452585303_1446203_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/67466_1679452585303_1446203_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in Connemara National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For three weeks we traveled together around Ireland, taking the bus from one place to the next and stayed in hostels most of the time (only once we booked a B&B). One of the best things to do in Ireland is, of course, go into a pub,drink a Guinness and listen to good Irish life music. We met an unbelievable lot of people there, locals and other travelers, and talking to them and having a pint together is something you can only find in Ireland. After three weeks, Maria had to go home to Germany, and I was on my own. Before I left Germany, i had already contact to two farm where I wanted to work for a few weeks. One was in County Sligo and the other one in County Meath, just 1 hour north of Dublin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I arrived on the first farm, and was really pleased: I had my own room and the people (a couple in his 50ties) seemed to be really nice. They had a few sheep, chickens, ducks, geese, a dog, a cat, and the best: 4 horses. The work I did on the farm was mainly "boys" work: helping to build a trailer, driving the tractor and the quad, fixing fences,...but I also had to feed the animals and I could go for a ride every evening. As I have a horse home myself, I really enjoyed it. One of the highlights on this farm was visiting a sheep mart and a horse show.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/69055_1679949957737_3100528_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/69055_1679949957737_3100528_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The place I stayed near Drogheda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After 2 weeks, I was finished on this farm and started to work on a smallholding near Drogheda. My host picked me up from the bus station, and we arrived after a half an hour drive. I was surprised when we arrived; that was amazing. A big house with an even bigger garden and I had my own flat in the house with kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living room</span><span style="background-color: color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">! </span><span style="background-color: color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hardly couldn't believe it. I spent 3 awesome weeks with so nice people there, that I decided to stay for even 3 more weeks. My main tasks were feeding the animals </span></span><span style="background-color:color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(they had pigs, chicken, horses,dogs and cats</span></span><span style="background-color: color: #222222; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">). After 3 month of traveling and working, I had to go back to Germany. I was so sad to leave, and I will never forget all the people I met on this trip. I am still friends with some of them, and now, as I am back in Ireland for 9 month, I couldn't be more happy. But this is another story...</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837130696780029334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166489220012182846.post-9835064298150446202013-01-30T04:56:00.000-08:002013-02-04T06:52:56.149-08:00Chili: Tips and tricks<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chile is one of the richest countries in South America, the economy is growing. Maybe I write more about Chili's history, economy etc. later, but first of all, I want to provide tips and tricks regarding travelling in Chili. It has been more than 4 years since I was there, but I hope it hasn't changed so much. Nevertheless, I can tell you more about other countries, as I didn't travel around on my own in Chili. But maybe you still can find the one or other helpful thing here.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="background-color: color: magenta;">Getting there</span>:</span> </b>There are several flight<b> </b>connections from Europe, my flight was with LAN Chile via Madrid, but there are also connections with Iberia and Lufthansa. I can highly recommend LAN, the flight was pretty comfortable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="background-color: color: magenta;">Arriving to Chili</span>:</span> </b>I can't really say a lot about it, as we were picked up from the airport. But the formalities were cleared fast and without any problems. Just make sure not to bring any forbidden food, as they have dogs and it could bring you in real trouble.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="background-color: color: magenta;">Transport</span>:</span> </b>The best thing for getting around Chili, is taking a bus. There are a lot of different companies and classes. All in all buses are very cheap, I remember paying about 10 Euro for 5 hour bus drive in middle class bus. Tickets can be bought directly at bus stations and connections are really good, even for long distance travels. Traveling overnight shouldn't be a problem and I consider it as pretty safe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Food</span></b>: You definitely have to try <span style="color: red;">Empanadas</span>. The best ones you can get in small street shops. There is a variety of fillings, from cheese to mice meat or fish. If you like sweet things, <span style="color: red;">Churros</span> is the food for you. They are filled with Manjar, a special kind of caramel and are just delicious. If you have the possibility to attend a typical Chilean <span style="color: red;">BBQ</span>, it will be an unforgettable experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: color: magenta; color: magenta;"><b>Drinks</b>:</span> <span style="color: red;">Pisco Sour</span> is the most famous Chilean drink, but why not also try a <span style="color: red;">Piscola</span>? It is a Longdrink made of Pisco and Coke and very popular among young people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Party: </span></b>If you like parties, try to go to a Chilean disco. Reggaeton is the main music there, and people love to dance. The feeling and atmosphere is completely different than in European discos.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="background-color: color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Highlights </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Valle de la Luna</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">San Pedro de Atacama</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BBQs with my host families</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"O.C. Californa" Parties</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Empanadas, Churros, Manjar Cakes and Piscola ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/16947_1372025219811_6750847_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/16947_1372025219811_6750847_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In San Pedro de Atacama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">____________________________________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chile ist eines der reichsten Laender Suedamerikas, die Wirtschaft waechst kontinuierlich.Vielleicht schreibe ich noch einen Artikel zur Geschichte, Wirtschaft und Politik Chiles, aber zuerst soll es mal um das Reisen im Land gehen. Es ist schon mehr asl 4 Jahre her seit ich da war, vermutlich hat sich aber nicht allzu viel veraendert. Ausserdem war ich nicht wirklich als backpacker unterwegs. Trotzdem hoffe ich, dass der ein oder andere hier einen nuetzlichen Tipp findet.</span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Flugverbindungen:</span></b> Von Europa aus gibt es verschiedene Moeglichkeiten nach Chile zu fliegen. Mein Flug ging mit LAN Chile ueber Madrid, aber auch Iberia und Lufthansa fliegen nach Santiago. Meiner Meinung nach ist LAN Chile zu empfehlen, der Flug war sehr angenehm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>Transport:</b></span> Innerhalb Chiles bewegt man sich am besten mit Bussen fort. Es gibt etliche Busfirmen und verschiedene Klassen (von einfachen "normalen" Bussen bis hin zu ueberaus luxurioesen Modellen). Im grossen und ganzen sind Reisen mit dem Bus sehr billig, ich habe fuer eine 5 Stunden lange Fahrt ca. 10 Euro bezahlt.Tickets koennen direkt an Busbahnhoefen gekauft werden und die Verbindungen sind ausgeprochen gut, auch fuer lange Distanzen. Uebernachtfahrten halte ich fuer relativ sicher und sie sind gerande fuer lange Distanzen angenehm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>Essen:</b></span> Meine Lieblingsgerichte in Chile waren <span style="color: red;">Empanadas</span>, es gibt sie mit vielen verschiedenen Fuellungen, von Kaese ueber Hackfleisch und Fisch. Fuer alle, die suesses moegen, sind <span style="color: red;">Churros</span> zu empfehlen. Gefuellt werden sie mit <span style="color: red;">Manjar</span>, einer speziellen Art von Caramel und sind einfach nur unglaublich lecker. Wer die Moeglichkeit hat, an einem typischen chilenischen <span style="color: red;">Barbecue </span>teilzunehmen, sollte sich das auf keinen Fall entgehen lassen :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>Trinken:</b> </span>Das wohl beruehmteste chilenische Getraenk ist <span style="color: red;">Pisco Sou</span>r. Typisch, vor allem unter jungen Leuten, ist aber auch <span style="color: red;">Piscola</span>. Hierbei handelt es sich um einen Longdrink bestehend aus Pisco und Cola.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>Partys:</b></span> Alle Feierlustigen werden in Chile voll und ganz auf ihre Kosten kommen. In typischen Discos wird hauptsaechlich Reggaeton gespielt, und die Leute lieben es zu tanzen. Die Atmosphaer in solchen Discos ist komplett anders als die in deutschen Diskotheken.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>Meine Highlights</b></span> in Chile waren:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Valle de la Luna</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">San Pedro de Atacama</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grillfeste mit meiner Gastfamilie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"O.C. California" Partys</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Empanadas, Churros, Manjarkuchen und Piscola :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837130696780029334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166489220012182846.post-625034506532534032013-01-29T03:34:00.001-08:002013-01-30T04:17:19.787-08:00My first big trip: Chili 2008<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/16947_1371948177885_1436387_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/16947_1371948177885_1436387_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on a beach in Chili</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I said before, travelling was always a passion for me. But until 2008, I never went out of Europe and I never traveled without my parents. I was still in school, 18 years old, and I remember exactly how things went and why I got the opportunity to go to Chili for two month. There was the idea in my mind, that it would be great to host a exchange student in our home in Germany. So I got on and on to my mum, until she finally agreed and allowed me to look for organisations you can apply as a host family on the internet. Reading through all the website of big organisations, I also found a small one specialized on South America. At this time, South America was the most fascinating continent ever for me. And best thing was: they offered a "real" exchange, which means you host somebody for 2-3 month, and in exchange, you can go for 2 month to his country and stay at his family. (http://www.vda-jugendaustausch.de/)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instantly I was convinced: that's what I want to do! I told my parents and -what a surprise- they agreed immediately. In December, my host sister Cata arrived, and in July I was already on my way to Chili. Ass far as I remember, I didn't have a big cultural shock, I was just curious about anything new there. First I had to travel 5 hours on a bus on my own to the city my host family was located, a place called Chillan, 500km south of Santiago de Chili. It was already dark and I was so afraid I could miss the right stop, although the bus driver knew where I had to get out. Finally I managed, but nobody was there to pick me up. And I didn't speak Spanish at all. Well, I could say my name and some basics, but absolutely not enough for a conversation with a Chilean bus driver. Luckily enough, 5 minutes later my host brother arrived to collect me.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i4.instantgallery.de/s/su/superkeks/6f54208a611f5d23a8136b32312cd41c10738704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i4.instantgallery.de/s/su/superkeks/6f54208a611f5d23a8136b32312cd41c10738704.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Villa...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.instantgallery.de/s/su/superkeks/9ac9a9ccb19e19e9359cd2bb91e53f7210376285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://i5.instantgallery.de/s/su/superkeks/9ac9a9ccb19e19e9359cd2bb91e53f7210376285.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and slums</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My family lived in a big house, and my hosts sisters friends in even bigger villas. Every time we went to one of those houses for a party, I felt like in "O.C. California". But on the other hand it was strange to see all the poor people, and especially kids, on the streets. I have to say, Chili is one of the richest countries in South America, but the difference between rich and poor was still extreme. My stay was not really exciting, expect the parties and nights out. I was a bit sad about that, because my family in Germany showed Cata around a lot, so I expected kind of the same from her family. But nothing happened and I was too inexperienced to travel around a bit on my own.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/16947_1371948377890_3265056_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/16947_1371948377890_3265056_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On the way to the "Valle the Elqui"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/16947_1372024619796_1508219_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/16947_1372024619796_1508219_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In the Andes, close to the border to Bolivia</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luckily enough I had booked a 2 week tour to the Atacama desert with the VDA in advance. This tour was absolutely amazing. I saw so many things, e.g. Valle de Elqui, the biggest wine growing district in Chili, Valle de la Luna,a place where the moonlight gets reflected by a salt crust at night, so bright you can even read a newspaper, Antofagasta, a city in the desert and the highlight: San Pedro de Atacama. There we had the possibility to make horse rides, go sand boarding, cycling, or just enjoy the village with it's variety of souvenir shops.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All in all, this trip was not like my travels after, because I didn't have to organize anything on my own. But it was a good introduction in travelling "alone". And I learned a bit of Spanish, got a lot more self dependent. I was sad when I had to go back to Germany, but it was my first "adventure" and the key to a life filled with travels and dreams of travels...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAapaPJ-FDqddnkAwO4pjm4W2mRMAFKxWVXDUd_Bt9d857JVjgkPi1AsN3CkweavAAzuiRH_Qg4npFRhtFX7LsVMU3dOIKIBgk6rqZha8kTNp1ByAACa1hAVPjUUN4rdUpSG0KJxnbO9c/s1600/CHILE+KARTE1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAapaPJ-FDqddnkAwO4pjm4W2mRMAFKxWVXDUd_Bt9d857JVjgkPi1AsN3CkweavAAzuiRH_Qg4npFRhtFX7LsVMU3dOIKIBgk6rqZha8kTNp1ByAACa1hAVPjUUN4rdUpSG0KJxnbO9c/s640/CHILE+KARTE1.jpg" width="569" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Places I visited in Chili</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
______________________________________________________________________________<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/16947_1372025939829_6068250_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/16947_1372025939829_6068250_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In den Anden- unglaubliche Farben</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wie ich schon erwaehnt habe, ist Reisen fuer mich eine Art Sucht. Bis 2008 habe ich es aber nicht bis aus Europa heraus geschafft und ich bin auch nie wirklich ohne meine Eltern verreist.Ich war noch in der Schule, gerade 18 Jahre alt und kann mich noch genau daran erinnern, wie ich sich die Moeglichkeit fuer 2 Monate nach Chile zu gehen ueberhaupt aufgetan hatte. Ich hatte die Idee im Kopf, dass es einfach super cool waere, einen Gastschueler bei uns aufzunehmen. nachdem ich ewig auf meine Mutter eingeredet hatte, willigte sie schliesslich ein und ich begann, im Internet Organisationen zu suchen, bei denen man sich als Gastfamilie bewerben konnte.nachdem ich mich schon fast fuer eine der grossen Organisationen entschieden hatte, landete ich auf einmal auf der Website einer kleinen Organisation, spezialisiert auf den Austausch mit Suedamerika und das Beste: Sie boten einen "richtigen" Austauschan, also ich wuerde die Moeglichkeit haben, im Gegenzug 2 Monate nach Chile zu gehen. Ich war begeistert, allein schon weil Suedamerika zu der Zeit der faszinierendste aller Kontinente war. (http://www.vda-jugendaustausch.de/).</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/16947_1371947537869_2094630_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/16947_1371947537869_2094630_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geysire in der Atacama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ueberraschenderweise willigten meine Eltern sofort ein und ich war uebergluecklich. Im Dezember kam meine Gastschwester Cata 3 Monate zu uns, im Julia war ich auf dem Weg nach Chile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Soweit ich mich erinnern kann, war hatte ich keinen allzu grossen Kulturschock bei der Ankunft in Chile, ich war einfach nur mega gespannt auf alles Neue. Die erste Herausforderung bestand darin, 5 Stunden Busfahrt (alleine) hinter mich zu bringen. Meine groesste Sorge war, den Richtigen Ausstieg zu verpassen, obwohl ich wusste, das der Busfahrer wusste wo ich aussteigen muss. Schliesslich kam ich wohlbehalten in Chillan, einer Stadt 500km suedlich von Santiago an, doch niemand war da um mich abzuholen. Es war dunkel, ich konnte -bis auf ein paar Saetze- kein Spanisch. Eine verstaendigung mit dem Busfahrer war deshalb ausgeschlossen, ich bekam schon leicht Panik, als gluecklicherweise mein Gastburuder auftauchte um mich einzusammeln.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meine Gastfamilie wohnte in einem grossen Haus, die Freunde meienr Gastschwester zum Teil in riesigen Villen. Jedesmal wenn wir zu einer Party in einem dieser Haeuser eingeladen waren, fuehlte ich mich wie bei O.C.California ;-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aber es war schon komisch, auf der anderen Seite die Armut der Bevoelkerung mitzukriegen. Auch wenn Chile eines der reichsten Laender Suedamerikas ist, ist die Kluft zwischen reich und arm doch gewaltig.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/16947_1371947577870_2238758_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/16947_1371947577870_2238758_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Im Valle de la Luna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Abgesehn von den Partys war mein Aufenthalt nicht gerade spannend. Ich war schon etwas traurig, denn meine Familie hat in Deutschland sehr viel mit Cata unternommen und ihr Sehenswuerdigkeien gezeigt, also hatte ich das eigentlich auch von meiner chilenischen Gastfamilie erwartet. Falsch gedacht. Und ich war zu unerfahren um alleine ein bisschen herumzureisen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Zum Glueck hatte ich schon im Vorfeld eine 2 woechige Tour in die Atacama mit dem VDA gebucht. Dieser Trip war unglaublich toll. Mehr als 2000 km mit dem Bus zu den Highllight im Norden von Chile: Das Valle de Elqui mit dem groessten Weinanbaugebiet, das Walle de laa Luna, wo der Mond von einer Salzkruste so reflektiert wird, dass selbst in der Nacht das Lesen einer Zeitung moeglich ist, die Wuestenstadt Antofagasta und natuerlich San Pedro de Atacama. Dort hatten wir die Moeglichkeit Ausritte zu machen, sandboarden zu gehen, Rad zu fahren oder einfach das Dorf mit seinen vielfaeltigen Souvenirshops zu geniessen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/16947_1372025779825_613336_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/16947_1372025779825_613336_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kurz hinter der bolivianischen Grenze</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Im grossen und ganzen war diese Reise nicht wie alle meine folgenden, denn ich musste so gar nichts selber organisieren. Aber es war ein guter erster Schritt um alleine zu verreisen, ich konnte mein Spanisch verbessern und wurde selbstaendiger. Traurig war ich schon als ich wieder nach Hause musste, aber es war mein erstes Abenteuer und der Schluessel zu einem Reiseleben und der Schluessel zu all meinen Reisetraeumen :)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837130696780029334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166489220012182846.post-80814598235978877812013-01-28T08:15:00.002-08:002013-02-05T04:19:38.253-08:00How to find a place to volunteer for free<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://oprdvolunteervoice.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/volunteer.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://oprdvolunteervoice.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/volunteer.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe some of you are interested in volunteering as well. As I had the idea of going to a 3rd world country to do some volunteer work, I first just put "volunteer opportunities" and "works as a volunteer" on Google. But all the things that came up were really expensive, commercial organisations. You can find everything and everywhere, but mostly you need to pay thousands of euros. Not what I wanted. Why spending money on agencies when I could donate it to organisations who really need it? So I started to put in Google things like: "free volunteering". And really, after a bit of a search, I found hundreds of small NGOs all around the world who where looking for volunteers. Some of them even offered free food and accommodation. (I will post some links at the end of this article).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I couldn't decide where I wanted to go, not even which continent, I just choose around 15 organisations which sounded really interesting to me and sent them an email. In that email, I told a bit about me, my background, why I want to volunteer and what helpful skills I might have. My expectation regarding answers was highly exceed. I got around 10 replies, all with a similar content: "You sound like the perfect person to volunteer with us, just let us know when you want to start...". Actually, I was surprised and a bit overrun. Now I have to say, that I really have a good background for working as a volunteer: I did volunteer work before, I study Geography, I have a bit of experience in working with children, I speak fluent English and I already have a lot of international experience. But even if you have none of this, it shouldn't be a problem to find a matching organisation. Just show that you are really interested in their organisation and that you are willing to learn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A good start to look for organisations is this website: www.volunteersouthamerica.net </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even if you don't want to go to South America, there are a lot of links to other websites on the bottom. Have fun exploring and I hop you will find the perfect organisation :-)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Helpful links for longterm volunteering:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.missionfinder.org/">www.missionfinder.org </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.volunteersouthamerica.net/">www.volunteersouthamerica.net</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.volunteerafrica.net/">www.volunteerafrica.net</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.omprakash.org/">www.omprakash.org</a></span><br />
<br />
__________________________________________________________________________<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vielleicht ist der ein oder andere hier ja auch daran interessiert als Volunteer zu arbeiten. Am Anfang, als ich die Idee hatte fuer ein paar Monate ins Ausland zu gehen, hab ich mal "Volunteer Moeglichkeiten" gegoogelt. Alle Websiten die angezeigt wurden, waren Homepages von grossen Vermittleragenturen, wo man schnell mal 3000 Euro dafuer bezahlt, dass man 2 Wochen arbeiten "darf". Fuer mich war von Anfang an klar: So etwas mache ich nicht. Warum irgendwelchen Organisationen Geld in den Rachen schmeissen, wenn ich es doch auch direkt an Organisationen geben koennte? Mein naechster versuch war dann: "kostenlose Volunteermoeglichkeiten". Auchdas brachte erst mal nur maessig Erfolg, bis ich es auf Englisch versuchte und dabei auf die Seite "volunteersouthamerica.net" kam. Wenn man sich win bisschen Zeit nimmt, is es unglaublich wie viele Organisationen es rund um die Welt gibt, die Volunteers suchen. Manchmal bieten sie sogar noch kostenlose Unterkunft und Verpflegung an!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Am Anfang hatte ich gar keine Idee wo ich eigentlich hinwill, mal wieder mein typisches Problem: am liebsten ueberall und nicht mal auf einen Kontinent konnte ich mich einigen...also hab ich einfach kreuz und queer Mails an ca. 15 Organisationen geschrieben, die einen vernuenftigen Eindruck auf mich machten.In dieser Email schrieb ich ein bisschen ueber mich, warum ich als Volunteer arbeiten will und welche Faehigkeiten ich habe, die vielleicht hilfreich waeren. Von ungefaehr 10 Organisationen bekam ich Antworten, alle mit etwa dem gleichen Inhalt: "You sound like the perfect person to volunteer with us, just let us know when you want to start..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jedenfalls war ich sehr ueberrascht und ein bisschen ueberfordert von dieser positiven Resonanz. Dazu muss man aber auch sagen, dass ich gute Voraussetzungen habe um als Volunteer zu arbeiten: Ich habe bereits etwas Erfahrung in diesem Bereich, studiere Geogrraphie, hab ein bisschen Erfahrung im Umgang mit Kinern, spreche fliessend Englisch und habe schon viel Auslandserfahrung.Aber selbst ohne all diese Pluspunkte sollte es kein Problem sein, dei passende Organisation zu finden. Man muss nur zeigen, dass man bereit ist zu lernen und sich fuer die Idee begeistern kann. Als guter Angan zum suchen eigent sich die oben genannte Website, selbst wenn man nicht nach Suedamerika will. Man findet sehr viele weiterfuehrende Links, auch auf andere Kontinente.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also dann, viel Spass beim Suchen und Finden :-)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837130696780029334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166489220012182846.post-5131722103075023142013-01-27T13:27:00.000-08:002013-02-05T07:37:49.104-08:00About my work in Cameroon<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I'm gonna tell you a bit about the organisation I am going to work with in Cameroon. It is the "Better Family Foundation" and based in the west of Cameroon, a place called Fundong.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://omprakash.org/images/gallery/profiles/LOGO_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://omprakash.org/images/gallery/profiles/LOGO_0.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"<span style="background-color: color: #181818; font-size: medium; line-height: 22.390625px;">Better Family Foundation is a local, apolitical NGO</span><span style="background-color: color: #181818; font-size: medium; line-height: 22.390625px;"> <span style="font-size: small;">(registration No. 011/AR/E32/50/2006/A2)</span> </span><span style="background-color: color: #181818; font-size: medium; line-height: 22.390625px;">based in Fundong, Cameroon which aims to empower families socially and economically by working to provide education, counseling, and financial support to local families in need. It was founded in 2006 by Mbeng Simon after having </span><span style="background-color: color: #181818; font-size: medium; line-height: 22.390625px;">worked with many marginalized families while serving as a farm leader with Heifer Project International. Mbeng realized the serious need for a local organization which would address the many diverse needs of local families"</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="background-color: color: #181818; font-size: large; line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>MISSION</i></span></b></div>
<i><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span></i><br />
<div style="background-color: color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>To provide free education, training, counseling, and financial aid to all families in need so that they may gain access to the tools they need to improve their lives.</i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>OBJECTIVES</b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></i></span></div>
</div>
<ol style="background-color: color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: outside;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>To provide free counseling to individuals and families in need.</i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>To provide free workshops and seminars on topics relevant to the issues of the community (gender, marriage, management of family resources, conflict resolution, water committee training, etc.).</i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>To provide informal education to small community groups requesting assistance (on topics ranging from health related issues to budgeting and action planning).</i></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">To support (through financial aid and education) orphans and vulnerable children within the community.</span> </i></span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px;"><a href="http://bffoundation.webs.com/">http://bffoundation.webs.com/</a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">I already exchanged a lot of information with the people who work there, and one of my main task will be to produce a documentary film about the NGO. I have a bit of experience in this field, I was involved in a documentary about Paris and I also made a film about our field trip to Canada. Luckily I have the basic equipment to produce a video, what means: a high quality camera, a tripod, and an editing program. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">Another thing I will work on is environmental education. I study Geography and at the moment I do an internship at an organisation that exactly does environmental education. So I think I am a bit prepared for this and I already have a lot of ideas for workshops or activities that I could do especially with kids. I just hope they will like it and they want to learn something new and exciting, because I don't want to be one of those "white people who think they know everything better". We will see. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">I am very interested in development aid and how it works, or not. I think it is alarming that first world countries pay millions of dollars for Africa, and most of the money goes either to corrupt, rich, African politicians or is spent for programs that do not really help. The most important word here is, I guess, sustainability. Anyway, I have not enough knowledge to judge about this further at the moment, but I am keen to read more about how development aid works. Probably I am going to do a master degree in this field later. This was kind of off topic now,but I think it is really important. And it is the reason why I chose to work for a small, local grassroot organisation and not for a big, international NGO.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i>"Most African leaders find it much more convenient to just cash the development cheque every year. This way they don't have to take action. They can do whatever they want. There is no one to call them to account." </i></b></span></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;">Dambisa Moyo</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">Two days ago I talked to a girl who worked in Fundong as a volunteer for 2 weeks last summer, and she told me a lot of interesting and important things, for example: I will have to live with legions of mice in the house, there is no working waste management, the food will be very unvaried, kids are unbelievable happy about a piece of chocolate, electricity is not always availabe, the people are extremely friendly...nothing that was exremely surprising, but still I think it will be a hard time on the one side, but on the other side it will be so much fun and I will learn so many things and have so many good and enriching experiences that I don't want to miss it. And as I know from my former travels, I have no problems living in a simple environment without luxury. Only when I come home and have a shower in my big bathroom with floorheating, I think: Wow, that's great :-)</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">It's late now, I will tell you more tomorrow</span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">Franziska</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">___________________________________________________________</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">So, nun ein bisschen was zur Arbeit die ich in Kamerun machen werde und die Organisation für die ich arbeiten werde. Sie heisst "Better Family Foundation" und hat ihren Sitz im Westen Kameruns, in einem Dorf namens Fundong.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://w0.fast-meteo.com/locationmaps/Fundong.8.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://w0.fast-meteo.com/locationmaps/Fundong.8.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22.390625px;">Ihre Aufgabe besteht vor allem darin, kostenlose Bildung und Beratung zu vermitteln, aber auch Familien in Not finanziell zu unterstützen, idem zum Beispiel das Schulgeld für die Kinder bezahlt wird. Genaueres ist auf der Homepage nachzulesen oder im englischsprachigen Teil des Artikels </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.390625px;">(</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px;">http://bffoundation.webs.com/).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Momentan stehe ich in ständigem Email Kontakt mit meinen Betreuern aus Kamerun und eine meiner Hauptaufgaben wird sein, einen Dokumentarfilm über die Organisation zu erstellen. Ein bisschen</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Erfahrung auf diesem Gebiet hab ich schon, letztes jahr hab ich bei einer Dokumentation ueber Paris mitgeholfen und auch schon meinen ersten eigenen Film (eine Doku ueber unsere Exkusrion nach Kanada) fertiggestellt. Zum Glueck habe ich auch nie noetige Basisaustruestung, d.h. eine sehr gute Kamera, ein Stativ und ein Schnittprogramm.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ausserdem werde ich vermutlich ein paar "environmental education" Workshops oder Spiele mit Kindern organisieren. Den genauen Inhalt weiss ich aber noch nicht, ich muss erst mal rausfinden welche Themen denn ueberhaupt sinnvoll waeren. Ich will naemlich nicht als "weisser Mann, der meint er weiss alles besser" dahstehen, sondern hoffe einfach, gerade den Kidnern vielleicht ein paar neue und fuer sie interessante Sachen beizubringen. Mal abwarten.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stichwort Entwicklungshilfe: in letzter Zeit ist mein Interesse daran immer staerker geworden. Vor allem interessiert mich ob und wie sie funktioniert- oder eben nicht. Es ist erschreckend, dass Erste Weltlaender Millionen fuer Entwicklungsilfe zahlen und das meiste Geld troztdem nicht ankommt wo es ankommen soll. Entweder es verschwindet bei korrupten, reichen, afrikanischen Politikern oder wird fuer Projekte verwendet, die im Endefekt nichts bewirken.Das Zauerwort hier heisst wohl Nachhaltigkeit. Aber gut, ich kenn mich (noch) zu wenig aus um weiter darueber zu urteilen. Momentan hab ich vor, in ein paar Jahren meinen Master in diese Richtung zu machen.Ich denke, es ist ein wichtiges Thema und wird in den naechsten Jahren noch wichtiger werden. Und es ist mit der Grund, warum ich mich entschlossen habe, fuer eine kleine "Graswurzel" Organisation zu arbeiten und nicht fuer eine grosse, internationale Hilfsorganisation.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.com-mit.org/uploads/pics/Vortragsreihe_WiSe10-11_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://www.com-mit.org/uploads/pics/Vortragsreihe_WiSe10-11_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vor 2 Tagen hab ich mit einer Tschechin geskypt, die letzten Sommer fuer 2 Wochen als Volunteer in Fundon gearbeitet hat. Sie hat mir total viele und interessant Sachen erzaehlt wie z.B.: es gibt hunderte von Maeusen im Haus, es gibt keine richtige Abfallversorgung, das Essen ist sehr eintoenig, die Kinder freuen sich unglaublich ueber Schokolade, die Menschen sind unglaublich lieb, der Strom faellt oft aus...nichts was mich sehr ueberrascht hat, aber trotzdem ist es gut diese Sachen vorher zu wissen und sich ein bisschen darauf vorzubereiten. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vermutlich wird die Zeit in Afrika auf der einen Seite schon sehr anstrengend werden, aber auf der anderen Seite werd ich so viel Spass haben und werde so unglaubliche und tolle Sachen erleben, dass ich mir sicher bin dass ich es nicht bereuen werde. Und von meinen letzten Reisen weiss ich, dass es mir nichts ausmacht unterwegs auf Luxus zu verzichten. Erst wenn dann wieder daheim in meinem warmen, grossen Badezimmer dusche denk ich mir: Woah, schon toll ;-)</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="color: #cfe2f3; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="line-height: 22.390625px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837130696780029334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166489220012182846.post-17408123448286443852013-01-26T05:29:00.000-08:002013-01-29T03:45:16.480-08:00Hi<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my name is Franziska, I am 23 years old, from Germany and live in Ireland at the moment. As long as I can remember, I want to travel. Already as a child I had the chance to travel to many European countries together with my parents, and we never went to those touristic places in Italy or Spain, but to England, Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, France and so on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269576_2298128811822_1785130_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me on a glacier in Austria in summer 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269576_2298128811822_1785130_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So when I say travelling, I don't mean to go on holidays to an all inclusive Hotel in Turkey or Egypt, I mean traveling as a bit of an adventure, go to places tourist usually don't go to, meet local people, experience the local culture, eat local food, learn a few sentences in the local language, meet new friends and have fun, do whatever I want to do and go wherever I want to go, just: to be free.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far I have been to Southamerica (Chili), Northamerica (Canada and I spent a day in Alaska), and a lot of Countries in Europe. I could write ages about my former adventures (for example about hitchiking at night in Serbia or waiting at an empty bus station at 5 a.m. in Chili), but I am already completely busy with the preparations for my next trip: <b>Cameroon</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/cmafrica.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/cmafrica.gif" width="292" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I already booked my flight and I am already quite excited, although it is even 5 month until I go. It will be my first time in Africa, and I kind of know that it will be completely differen from everything I have seen so far. Already the preparations require al lot of time and thinking. I need Visa, vaccinations, a list with useful things to bring e.g. presents for my host family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, enough for now, next time I'm gonna tell you what exactely I am going to do over there...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a nice day,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Franziska</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PS: The picture shows me on a glacier in Austria in summer 2011</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The picture on the top(with the plane) was taken in Queen Charlotte, Haida Gwaii, small Islands in the west of Canada</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">_________________________________________________________________________</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ich bin Franziska, 23 Jahre alt und lebe momentan in Irland. So lange ich mich erinnern kann, zieht es mich in die Ferne. Schon als Kind war ich mit meinen Eltern in den Ferien viel in Europa unterwegs, wobei wir nie in die typischen Touristendestinationen gefahren sind wie Italien oder Spanien, sondern nach England, Irland, Schweden, Frankreich, Schottland usw.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wenn ich sage ich reise gern, dann meine ich damit nicht die üblichen Pauschalreisen nach Ägypten oder in die Türkei, sondern Reisen als "Abenteuer". Nicht touristische Orte erleben, Einheimische Leute zu treffen, die Kultur, das typische Essen kennen zu lernen, Freundschaften schließen, Spaß zu haben, zu machen was ich will und dahin zu gehen wo ich will, das bedeutet reisen für mich: Frei sein.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bis jetzt war ich in Südamerika (Chile), Nordamerika (Kanada) und in sehr vielen Ländern Europas. Tagelang könnte ich Geschichten und kleine Abenteuer erzählen, die ich bis jetzt erlebt habe, wie zum Beispiel in Serbien in der Nacht per Anhalter zu fahren oder um 5 in der Früh auf einem menschenleeren Busbahnhof in Chile auf eine Betreuerin zu warten. Momentan bin ich aber sehr mit den Vorbereitungen für meine nächste Reise beschäftigt: Es geht nach <b>Kamerun</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nationalflaggen.de/media/flags/flagge-kamerun.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.nationalflaggen.de/media/flags/flagge-kamerun.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Der Flug ist schon gebucht, Anfang Juli geht es für 3 Monate nach Afrika. Ich bin schon sehr aufgeregt und die Vorbereitungen erfordern eine Menge Zeit, ich muss mich um ein Visum kümmern, brauche Impfungen, bin am überlegen was ich für Gastgeschenke mitbringen könnte...aber ich bin mir sicher: es wird auch diesmal eine tolle Zeit werden.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Viele Grüße,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Franziska</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837130696780029334noreply@blogger.com0