Peru – Machu Picchu!

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

PLAY it Forward’s largest group just returned from Peru on an amazing 10-day adventure.  This was our first trip to the Sacred Valley region of Peru and it couldn’t have gone better!  We started off in the village of Taray to work at an elementary school.  Taray had been badly hit by the mudslides in January.  Many people lost their homes and had to relocate to tents in the neighboring town of Pisaq.  Our wonderful group of sixteen sojourners worked hard to build school furniture for the children and clear brush to plant new trees for a fresh beginning.  We played harder though, swinging kids around, getting chased, and shared laughs even though we didn’t share a language.

Saying goodbye was hard to do, but after many thanks and hugs of gratitude we parted from our new friends and headed to the town of Lares to continue our adventure.  We spent three days and two nights trekking in the Andes Mountains.  Though we were exhausted and sore, everyone made it to the top at 15,000 feet!  Huffing and puffing seemed to immediately cease as you took your first glance at the other side; looking down on a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains made the struggle all worthwhile.  Nothing makes a group bond faster than sharing this major accomplishment together, and not to mention the enjoyable nights huddled together in the dining tent.

Our adventure did not end there!  We all checked off our bucket lists as we spent the final day together at Machu Picchu.  This world wonder left us all in awe as we stood on the grounds of a hidden Incan community surrounded by lush jungles and vast mountain ranges on all sides.  We explored the mysterious complex and a few of us even ventured to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain to overlook the grandeur from almost 2,000 feet higher than the Incan city.

A very spiritual place, it was a great ending to an extremely meaningful and all-encompassing trip.  Despite the size of our group, we all came together as strangers and made 15 new friends who shared a unique experience together.  The group is already in the stages of planning a reunion.

Thanks everyone for an amazing trip!

Nikki Williams

Tags: Adventure travel, Machu Picchu, Outdoor Adventure, Peru, voluntourism
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Random Acts of Kindness

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Holding the door open, smiling at a stranger, and lending a hand seem like pretty simple things, maybe even common sense.  However it doesn’t happen as often as it should.

“If we all do one random act of kindness daily we just might set the world in the right direction.”
                                                                                                                           – Martin Kranfeld

In our busy and chaotic lives, we forget to slow down and appreciate the little things. We don’t realize it until we are overwhelmed with joy at the simple, kind act of a stranger.  Don’t wait for that moment – start the trend yourself! 

My most recent experience:  As usual, I had bitten off a little more than I could chew when carrying some bags at work.  Trying to be time-effective, I had overloaded myself with several bags possibly equaling my own weight.  As I struggled through the hallways with my load (feeling a little like a pack mule) two strangers stopped on their way back from lunch and offered to help me.  I kindly refused because I was going completely out of their way.  They insisted however, and I was incredibly grateful. I hated to burden them, but in all honestly it probably only took a few minutes out of their routine and helped me tremendously.  A BIG thank you to them and to all those who have done something similar.

It inspired me…what’s your story?

There are so many things that we can do in everyday life that take little to no extra effort, but may mean the world to someone.  If we can do it in our daily lives, why not continue the pattern when traveling?

Traveling acts of kindness:

• Buy from local businesses and vendors
• Smile! Appreciate the culture and environment around you
• Take in your surroundings by walking through town instead of taking a taxi or bus
• Help nervous fliers by talking to them to distract them from the takeoff and landing
• Leave the place nicer than when you found it
• Try to understand the local language, don’t be afraid or embarrassed to attempt speaking it, they appreciate the effort
• Pick up after yourself and maybe someone else who forgot
• Carry a small bag of dry dog food and give some to the strays (this may seem silly, but for us dog lovers seeing the malnourished strays is heartbreaking, so I really love this one.)

There are hundreds more…use your imagination!

Tags: International Travel, random acts of kindness, voluntourism
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Importance of Teamwork

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

HOW DO YOU FLATTEN A MOUNTAIN?

The Task: Haul hundreds of pounds of building materials thousands of feet up a narrow mountain path, and get it done before lunch.  Loads become drastically lighter when you have someone to share it with.  A little piece of a task is easier to conquer than the whole thing.  Soon, that insurmountable endeavor becomes achievable.

Not only will the task be accomplished, it will be done quicker, and there will be a shared feeling of accomplishment.  When a chore is approached by a team, each person has their own little contribution to make.  When we were hauling supplies, we had several pairs of volunteers creating a chain.  Some people took hard and steep segments of the trail, others took something a little flatter.  Each pair was needed to get the supplies up the mountain.  Each role was crucial, because if there was a missing link, then the whole process would fail.  But it didn’t fail.  We got to see firsthand the power of people working together.  We grew closer by working side by side and by sharing our achievement.

As a sojourner on a PLAY it Forward Adventure, not only will you get a chance for individual accomplishment – you will have the opportunity to live the power of teamwork.

Nathan Worrell
PIF Sojourner Guatemala

Tags: Adventure travel, Outdoor Adventure, Teamwork, voluntourism
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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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Wilderness First Responders

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Adventure means going to the edge, pushing your physical and mental limits.  There is an element of danger and suspense, not knowing what lurks behind the next curve. Any adventurer probably has his or her fair share of stories of close calls, and likely has the scars to prove it. In this extreme environment, things can go wrong.

Racing down a mountainside may abruptly halt and you find yourself executing a textbook double front flip with a twist over the handlebars. Confronting the ever increasing windblown swells, your kayak might decide to reject your control and rebel as a submarine.

Sampling the local cuisine might ignite a battle between your digestive system and the intruding culinary enemy.

Marching through jungles you may find yourselves asking important questions – Can I eat that? Will that eat me?  Is this chocolate or …?

While the prospect of harm may be daunting, lay your fears to rest.

Every PLAY it Forward adventure is guided by a certified Wilderness First Responder.  So no matter what the scrape, cut, break, crunch, smack, squelch, or smell, you have someone available to address the issue. Hopefully you will never have to require their skills set, but if you were to need them, it is nice to know they are prepared.

Nathan Worrell
PIF Sojourner, Guatemala October 2008

Fake injuries in WFR class

Tags: Adventure travel, Outdoor Adventure, voluntourism, wilderness first responder
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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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