Mudslides in Peru

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

I am sure that many of you have heard of the mudslides in the Cusco region of Peru, more familiarly known as the Machu Picchu area.  The news reported the large amount of tourists that were stranded.  It was on the news for maybe a couple days, but lives are affected forever. This is a very important issue, as there were thousands of tourists trapped with minimal food and water.  However, what was harder to find, was information regarding the thousands of Peruvians that had lost their homes.  Here are some of the facts of the mudslide:

Machu Picchu is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in Latin America, attracting more than 400,000 visitors a year. The 15th-century Inca fortress is located on a high mountain ridge 40 miles from Cusco. A railway that transports tourists to the site was covered by a mudslide. Normally the wet season in this region ranges from December to February. However, this year they started in early November and in the first few weeks of January they were the heaviest they’ve been in 15 years. The rivers in the Cusco region have swollen and burst their banks flooding adjacent low-lying villages and causing damage to bridges and the railway line between Aguas Calientes (the town closet to Machu Picchu) and Ollantaytambo (in the Sacred Valley). Many areas of the railway, which is the only mode of transportation between the two cities, have been severely damaged and some wiped out all together. Homes, bridges, fields, and roads have been very hard hit, affecting people’s livelihoods dramatically.  The homes of over 2,000 people in poor rural areas — many of them riverside dwellings made of clay and straw — had been destroyed or damaged. Another 12,000 people were affected to a lesser degree, losing possessions or suffering property damage. Most of the damage has happened in the southern valley of the Cusco region. Especially right now with Machu Picchu being closed and tourism near zero, many people are suffering from lack of work as well.

PLAY it Forward was very alarmed to hear of this news, not only because we have a scheduled trip this May, but also because we are concerned for the well-being of people around the world.  Donations are always nice. However, because we prefer hands-on, tangible ways to help, we will be helping in the disaster relief. Continuing to give back in the places we play.

Nikki Williams

Tags: Adventure travel, Cusco, International Travel, Machu Picchu, Mudslides, Outdoor Adventure, Peru, Volunteer Vacation
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Leaving No Trace While Traveling

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

“ALWAYS LEAVE IT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT”
  
That was my dad’s adage whenever we went anywhere.  It’s a simple call of duty and applies to travel, work, and other things. It’s especially relevant in a volunteer vacation like PLAY it Forward Adventures.

There are two components to this mantra that are worth detailing.  

The first is recognizing that you make an impact when you go somewhere.  Just your presence alters the environment.  We consume things.  We eat, we drink, and we clean ourselves.  All of these things take resources, energy, and heat.  And as a natural consequence of consumption, there is waste.  By utilizing minimal resources, and avoiding over-consumption, the negative impact you make will be minimized.  By cleaning something up, or being respectful and courteous with the people you meet, you will maximize your positive impact.

The second is recognition that if you have a positive experience somewhere, you want others to have the same experience.  This relates directly to the PLAY it Forward concept.  If we start the trend of making sure that the experiences we have will be able to be enjoyed by those who come after us, when we get to our next destination, there is a good chance that we won’t even know that someone was there before us.

As you go on your volunteer vacations, try to remember to leave no trace. Take only pictures and memories leave only footprints.

Nathan Worrell
PIF Sojourner
Guatemala October 2008

Tags: Adventure travel, Leave no trace, Outdoor Adventure, Volunteer Vacation, voluntourism
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Make Life an Adventure

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

“…make things happen and do things that fire you up and life is too short. What you don’t know is, How much life do you have? Right? You don’t know if you going to live till 80 or 104 or 30.”

                                                                                                                                -Andy Miller

http://www.incomediary.com/andy-miller-interview-lifes-bucket-list/

I want this to be the story of my life and I am working towards making that happen.  Carpe Diem, live every day to the fullest.  This, of course, is not always possible in our crazy lifestyles.  I know that time gets away from me.  I get too involved in my day-to-day activities, and forget what I am working towards.  It is easy to forget what my dreams and goals are.

 That is why I love this idea of making life an adventure.  This is also called a “Bucket List,” but just as Andy Miller discusses in this article, I like the top statement much better.  To me, saying bucket list is a little depressing.  Don’t think about how much time you don’t have, just live your life, but do things that make you happy and make life an adventure.  Whether those adventures are big or small, live life to the fullest.

PLAY it Forward has played a huge part in making this a reality for me.  It has helped me to combine two of my passions – traveling to explore the world and helping people to make a difference.  Even when I am not traveling, I know that I am working for an organization that is making a difference and it helps me to know my goals are within reach.  I have learned a lot about myself through my travels and plan to continue learning. 

My favorite quote and one that I try to live by goes along perfectly with this – “Shoot for the moon.  Even if you fall short, you will land among the stars.”   Dream big and don’t let everyday chaos get in the way of you achieving what you want out of life.

Nikki Williams
3-time PIF Sojourner

Tags: Outdoor Adventure, Volunteer Vacation, voluntourism
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What makes PLAY it Forward different?

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

I spend a lot of time on the internet looking at travel sites and researching companies. Many companies have similar offerings but with all these companies adventuring around the globe, how does one choose who to go with?

All this research really makes me appreciate the factors that set PLAY it Forward apart.

Differentiators:
ALL-ENCOMPASSING. There are outdoor adventures and there are volunteer vacations, but the combination is what makes PLAY it Forward trips spectacular! It’s this combination that gives it that special feeling, the thing that takes it from an “average” experience to an “exceptional” one.

True, there are other companies out there that mimic this concept, but the mission and values of PIF are unlike any other. Three key words, explore-volunteer-connect, summarize every PLAY it Forward experience and describe exactly what you can expect as a PIF traveler (otherwise known as a Sojourner).

After all, if you’re going to take a meaningful PLAY-cation once each year, why not make it an all-encompassing experience where you can explore the landscape, give back to the locals and connect with like-minded people, locals and yourself?

AWARENESS. Improving quality of life is more than just “spending time” or donating money to a cause you believe in. Making a financial contribution to a charity is a wonderful gesture, but PIF takes it one step further by allowing you to see where your money goes through hands-on volunteering.

With studies showing that serving others increases a person’s overall well-being and happiness, why not add this component to your adventure PLAY-cations abroad? When you’re able to connect with a stranger in another part of the world, it gives your experience more meaning and your memories longevity…. not to mention the change in perspective you get from seeing how others live out in the world.

“Improving quality of life” also goes beyond the people we aim to aid in other countries. PLAY it Forward aims to improve the quality of life of their travelers. Our hope is that people return a little more evolved and self aware than they were before they left.

REAL ADVENTURE. On a PLAY it Forward adventure you’re not just exploring the country from the backseat of a motorized vehicle or taking a city walking tour, PIF actually immerses you in a country’s landscape.

Imagine yourself cruising on your bike down a Guatemalan road, paddling a canoe through Amazonian waters, or rappelling down 100’ waterfalls in the Rain Forest of Costa Rica. Sound like fun? PLAY it Forward offers “real” exciting adventures for the adventurous at heart. (Couch potatoes need not apply.)

SAFETY. If this all sounds somewhat dangerous then let me reassure you of our motto, Safety First. With all our Tour Leaders being Wilderness First Responders and our local guides highly trained and qualified, PLAY it Forward is prepared to handle whatever situation may arise to keep you safe and excited while exploring the back country.

ECO FRIENDLY. PLAY it Forward believes in giving back to the local economy. Locally owned and operated hotels and restaurants are sought out in every destination. Transportation on foot, by bike or boat is preferred whenever possible. Even the office administration stays green by doing most business on-line and printing double-sided copies to minimize waste!

There are tons of companies out there, but for me these are the reasons I have chosen PLAY it Forward. Through all my research and my own experience, I see what sets this unique organization above the rest. Choosing PLAY it Forward means shaking the “tourist” stigma and becoming a Sojourner. Stepping off the beaten path, exploring a country for the true adventure and culture it has to offer, and going further by giving back, firsthand, in the places you play.

Nikki Williams
3-time PIF Sojourner

Tags: Outdoor Adventure, Volunteer Vacation, voluntourism
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WHAT KILIMANJARO TAUGHT ME ABOUT LIFE

Monday, October 12th, 2009

Rising to Kilimanjaro’s Stella Peak, elevation 18,000’, I’m reminded how life is a journey, not a destination.  I may not have reached Uhuru Peak, but the success of that journey wasn’t defined by a summit.

Not three months prior I lie in my bed paralyzed by symptoms of Lyme Disease that interfered with my life for more than two straight months … and then I climbed a mountain.

Just three days before our ascent I spontaneously reversed my decision not to participate in this 7-day climb.  My team being so fantastic, I didn’t want to miss having this experience alongside them.  So… one duffle bag of rented clothes, a handful of borrowed gear and a $30 pair of used-boots later, I was on my way up the mountain.

Continuously finding metaphors during my international travels, I can’t help but compare this climb to life, especially my journey with nurturing a budding business.  “Pole, pole,” we’re told by our guides.  “Slow, slow…. One step at a time.  There is no hurry.  Rest when you need to rest.”  If only our guide Justin could ride home in my backpack to remind me “pole, pole” after a 14 hour day in the office.

We climbed for five days and one night, our objective to reach Uhuru Peak, the famous Kilimanjaro summit, elevation 19,340’.  Day one through fog and forest, we trekked through surreal settings of trees and vegetation.  Day two put us above the tree line as we gazed at vast skylines from our camp high up on the mountain.  Day three became a challenge as we pushed to our landmark, Lava Tower, and then onto what looked like a Dr. Suess-wonderland.  Day four was a scramble up the Barranco Wall followed by a grueling ascent up our steepest incline yet.  This is the day where I broke down in my tent wondering if I had it in me to go any further.  Day five was a push to our camp where we’d begin our ascent to Uhuru Peak. 

Our meal was served at 11pm in preparation for the summit.  We set out with headlamps for our last push of the week.  My energy level was down due to a parasite I’d contracted earlier in the trip, and I couldn’t eat a thing.  Between hot and cold sweats, my feverish body trudged one step at a time up that steep incline, our guides reminding me along the way: “pole, pole, one step at a time.  It’s the only way to the top.”  Three hours into the climb, with only three hours to the summit, I decided to turn around.

That week had me thinking about my growing business as I placed one foot in front of the other, a steady uphill climb.  In life, and as entrepreneurs, we aim to reach a summit in the form of long and short term goals.  We reach some peaks and dip through valleys, scramble up walls, and cry in our tents.  Sometimes even get paralyzed by illness which takes us out of the game completely.  But most days we press on, one step at a time, excited to greet the great unknown, all the while asking “How far can I go?”  “What can I achieve?”

What Kilimanjaro taught me is that there is only one way to approach any journey in life, “pole, pole… one step at a time.”  I sincerely take this to heart.  The destination itself does not define the success of the journey; the small steps it takes to climb are successes themselves.   

I didn’t reach the summit of Kilimanjaro during our August adventure.  But I did reach unexpected heights of 18,000’ with only 72 hours notice alongside an amazing group of individuals.  It’s a journey I’ll cherish and celebrate with my lifelong friends for years to come and value the lessons I learned that week.  Lessons that mimic life’s journey, taking one simple step at a time.

Jodi Nelson
Founder, PLAY it Forward Adventures

Tags: Adventure travel, kilimanjaro, Outdoor Adventure, Summit, Volunteer Vacation, voluntourism
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WHAT INSPIRED ME TO START PLAY IT FORWARD ADVENTURES?

Monday, October 12th, 2009

The most frequently asked question I get is:  “what inspired you to start PLAY it Forward Adventures?”  The answer is never an easy one so I’ll try to sum it up in a page.

The short answer… I was inspired by my own travel experiences and wanted to bring safe, all-encompassing travel experiences to people who’d never left our country.  In addition to this, I wanted to be my own boss, move at light speed without approval from others, and put my undying energy into something meaningful I loved.

The long answer…. PLAY it Forward Adventures is really a culmination of many life experiences, beginning with my third grade bike rides to learn German at a nearby elementary school.  I’ve always been fascinated by other cultures.  Curiosity about how people dress, dance, talk, eat, celebrate and LIVE in a world other than my own has always intrigued me. 

My world opened up around age 12 when my dance group went to Russia to perform in front of children and foreign audiences.  It continued to expand during my teens when I organized trips with friends to domestic and international destinations throughout our high school years.  Studying abroad in Scotland for a semester opened my eyes to the European part of our world as I explored the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France and Austria.  Upon my return I’d hang around the study abroad office exploring how I might become the coordinator who brings mind-expanding-experiences to students across the nation. 

A trip to Venezuela in my early 20’s brought a shift to my outlook on travel as I’d previously known it.  Witnessing the devastating effects of poverty and leprosy on communities in Maracaibo stuck with me for years to follow and I’d ask myself:  “Now that I’ve seen what I’ve seen, what can I do to help?”  I wasn’t okay with knowing others were living in huts, suffering from extreme poverty and ailing from diseases with no immediate access to medical care.  That experience felt like my first brush with death when I saw so many suffering and living in a mode of survival that I’d never known in the United States.  To this day I can’t wrap my head around: “How was I born into America and they were born into this?”

In my mid 20’s I set out to find host families for foreign exchange students desiring an American experience during their junior or senior year.  Finding families was no easy feat living in the upper Midwest so I only successfully placed the two beautiful Maria’s:  Maria from Germany moved to Rogers, MN and Maria from Venezuela moved into Bloomington with a friend.  To this day I am proud to announce that Maria from Germany is still connected with her host parents, Gary and Jill, both families traveling back and forth for visits over the past 10 years.  To bridge the gap between two foreign families who’ll be connected for a lifetime is one of my proudest accomplishments to date.

In 2006 is when I decided to make my calling into a business.  With the help of my amazing coach, Amy Applebaum, I was able to design my life around the things I’m most passionate about:  adventure travel, volunteer vacationing and connecting people across all borders.  Though I’d never claim the journey has been easy, there’s something to be said for being “on purpose”, the “law of attraction” and following your heart.  As soon as I identified my calling and put my plans into action, everything else fell in to place serendipitously.

So when people ask, “What inspired you to start PLAY it Forward Adventures?”  To give the short answer is unfair to the long answer I credit for getting me here.  My quest with PLAY it Forward is more of a calling than a creation, a journey of life not a destination or planned venture.  Its birth is a result of people, places and experiences that have inspired me to dedicate my life to serving others through adventure travel and volunteering abroad… a concept that lives in my heart, not on a piece of paper. 

To those embarking on a business venture of their own, I’ll give you the first bit of advice my coach ever gave me.  “Pick a business that you’re passionate about because you’ll have to live it and breathe it daily.”  Two years into my budding business I can attest to that truth. 

And in the inspiring words of Hendry David Thoreau, engraved on a bracelet I’ve worn for seven years, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you’ve imagined.” 

Jodi Nelson
PLAY it Forward Adventures

Tags: Adventure travel, Volunteer Vacation, voluntourism
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Connection

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Everything was different. The language, the people, the money, the landscape, the housing, the food- all of it was different.

Being immersed into a new culture was an intimidating blur.  It was a rush to the senses feverishly trying to decipher the panoply of sights and sounds.

Eventually, I found the Rosetta stone. Just as the storm of sensation initially overtook me, I was subject to the more powerful monsoon of similarities.  It started with a little girl’s playful smile that I couldn’t help but return. Without words we connected.  The impact became more and more powerful as I recognized the bonds of family, the sense of duty and tradition, the grimaces of struggle, and the expressions of gratitude.  It was humbling as the thought began to form in my mind: these people do not have near the access to things that I do.  Yet here they are, alive, together, happy. And the doubt crept in, who is really missing out here?

Arriving, the assumption would be that we would give something to these people, but they gave us something so much more.  Their lives and culture are absolutely different, but they are no longer unfamiliar.

It is one thing to write about this connection, it is another to experience it.  Often, donating to causes in countries worlds away is difficult because we don’t have that connection.  This is one of the most powerful pieces of PIF, it closes that distance and allows for that connection.

Nathan Worrell
PIF Sojourner, Guatemala October 2008

Tags: Central America, Outdoor Adventure, Volunteer Vacation, voluntourism
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What do the H1N1 virus and PLAY it Forward have in common?

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

They’re both contagious! If you’ve enjoyed your experience as a Sojourner, you can carry on the PLAY it Forward legacy.

After having gone on a PIF Adventure, my travel mindset has been forever changed.  I wanted to try to incorporate the elements of adventure and a local connection (whether through service or local businesses) in any trip I take.  Recently I planned a trip to Denver, Colorado and wanted to experiment with making it like a PIF excursion. It was easier than I anticipated and so I wanted to share some tips so that my fellow sojourners may be encouraged to try their own.
  
TIP 1- A great way to find places to stay and eat is to look for charity or community events and follow up on sponsors. While in Denver there was a “Harvest Week” focused on local agriculture.  They had a full list of restaurants that were providing local farmer produce. Needless to say, the experience was delicious.

Also if there is a particular charity you support, ask your local rep if they have a partner or connection in the place you want to go.

TIP 2 – Be ready to explore.  Sometimes the greatest places aren’t easily found on the internet or in the phonebook. Taking time to get oriented in Denver, we stumbled across a local eatery.  It turned out to be an awesome place serving local food (except the coffee which was from GUATEMALA!). They gave back to their community in their profits and through a worker rehab program.  The place is called SNOOZE.  Please stop by if you are ever in the Denver area.

TIP 3 – Ask the locals.  If you find a local place to stay, ask the owner about places to go and see.  The people who live in area typically have had the time to explore and know the places to see and the hidden gems. 

Hopefully these little tips will help get you on your way. If you have a great trip, please share and we can keep the FORWARD part going.

Nathan Worrell
PIF Sojourner, Guatemala October 2008

Tags: Adventure travel, Outdoor Adventure, PLAY it Forward, Volunteer Vacation, voluntourism
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KILIMANJARO

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

The mountain is unknown to me- I haven’t reached its summit, I haven’t even seen it in person. I thought I might gain some insight about it by the meaning of its name, but even that is dubious.  Perhaps in the end, the mystery is the most important quality of this hunk of rock.

While I confess that I am a stranger to Kilimanjaro, I am no stranger to mountains. Having lived in Alaska for 5 years, I’ve spent significant time among the crags and precipices. And I know that there are certain characteristics these colossals would share with their African cousin.

In a shadow of a mountain, I am in awe of their timelessness. These giants are the silent sentinels of the centuries. Their fixture among a changing world is a tremendous source of stability.

Kilimanjaro has remained resolute in its oversight of a continent that has amassed quite a history.  The mountain sat quietly while pharos reigned, when the world came to Alexandria to learn philosophy, as colonial powers reached the shores and made their conquests, and as the struggles of apartheid gripped the people. It remained while the sounds, colors, and flavors of the culture made their way to distant lands. It will continue to watch, wait and witness the centuries to come, observing where new hopes may blossom. In Kilimanjaro there may lay a quiet assurance to the world’s poorest continent, ravaged by disease and conflict that “this too shall pass.”

Yet stability seems the antithesis of mystery. Despite the solid edifice, there are deep mysteries. The adventure comes in discovering what secrets the mountain may hold. What lessons does it share about the people it observes? What will you find out about yourself as you explore its cliffs and crannies (and your own inner world)? Each time you climb, it will be a different experience. You can never know what to expect.

Scaling a mountain is a spiritual journey of awakening.

The ascension from base to summit is wrought with struggle and surprise. It begins with an energetic vigilance, eager steps to reach the goal.  Soon the slope becomes steeper and steps become slower. The mountain begins to challenge each step, and it starts to take strong effort to push one foot in front of the other, and propel you foot by foot toward the top. Mountains have a particular fondness for cruelty to their climbers; they lure you into thinking you’ve reached the top, only to find more mountain to climb. This elusive apex challenges the fortitude of any climber.

Stop. Take a look around.  It is surprising how far you’ve already come. The view has become spectacular from this new perspective, which would have been unknowable without perspiration. Renewed and inspired, press on towards your goal.  After another grueling test of endurance you finally find yourself with no higher place to reach. You made it and the exhilaration fills your body and you feel like the eagle freely flying on a thermal updraft. The world below extends to the horizon, the individuals below so small and the trouble you left behind seemingly insignificant. The chill of the air awakens something inside as you take it all in. Then with one last sigh of contentment, you return to the world below.

Enthusiasm. Struggle. Reward. Perspective. Endurance. Doubt. Triumph. Freedom.

Sitting on the plains of Africa, Kilimanjaro patiently waits, beckoning for the next Sojourner to embark on a path of discovery. You will encounter something greater than yourself.

Play it Forward.

Nathan Worrell
PIF Sojourner, Guatemala October 2008

Tags: AIDS Orphans, Climbing, kilimanjaro, Outdoor Adventure, Volunteer Vacation, voluntourism
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