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November 10, 2018 by Ashley Welter

Time Capsule – Bali – Global Health Initiative – July 1 – July 14, 2018

Hey guys,

I can’t believe that it has already been six months since we were all together in Bali. It feels like we just dropped you off at the airport hours ago, but time flies when you are having fun, and the last six months have been a complete whirlwind. Kelsey has been looking into getting her legs surgically replaced with a tail so she can achieve her dream of becoming a mermaid—the doctors are still trying to figure out the gill situation—and she is saving the world one straw at a time. Beni is on his way to becoming a famous photographer, keep an eye out for his pictures. He is also trying to get on the profesional surf circuit. Fika is working on her skills as a make-up artist. She’s hoping to land a job abroad, fingers crossed for Hollywood. She’s planning on teaching Balinese traditional dance where ever she goes. Rudy is back in Phoenix working on his travel start up and he having great success. And John, well, nobody really knows, but we are sure that he’s having a good time where ever he is.

Do you remember the beach of Amed with the black volcanic sand and the warm blue water? What about snorkeling above the ship wreck, diving down to swim among the tropical fish and the see the colorful coral? I won’t ever forget the visit to the jungle healer where we learned about our future, past, and the number of seeds we have. I will also never forget the service. Singing and dancing with the kids was magical. I hope you realize how much the students enjoyed their time with you. They loved your games and you taught them so much.

Please never forget your medical service as well. Visiting the different Balinese households was incredible. The service gave us better insight of the day-to-day life in Bali than a tour ever could. You spent your time checking their health and providing medical care they would have had to go to a doctor to get. That’s really special. Please realize what an impact you made. And I hope you had as much fun white water rafting and surfing as I did. Bouncing from rapid to rapid through the jungle was the definition of an adventure. Reminiscing about the trip brings me back, and I feel like I am back in Kaya House now. I can almost here the bells in the distance and smell the incense in the air. I hope you have all been able to follow through on your affirmations and have applied what you learned in Bali to your life back home. If you haven’t, its not too late to start now.

Love you guys and hope all is well. Check in on your old friends; I’m sure they are all doing great things.

Terimah Kashi

 

Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our 2019 programs, or enroll now.

Filed Under: Time Capsule

November 10, 2018 by Ashley Welter

Time Capsule – Bali – Global Health Initiative – June 15 – June 28, 2018

Hey guys,

I can’t believe that it has already been six months since we were all together in Bali. It feels like we just dropped you off at the airport hours ago, but time flies when you are having fun, and the last six months have been a complete whirlwind. Kelsey has been looking into getting her legs surgically replaced with a tail so she can achieve her dream of becoming a mermaid—the doctors are still trying to figure out the gill situation—and she is saving the world one straw at a time. Rein has grown a following as a DJ in South Africa. You can find him as DJ Rein on sound cloud, and keep your eyes peeled on the Coachella lineup for next year. It also turns out he’s related to Daniel Craig (007). It’s a small world. Rudy is back in Phoenix working on his travel start up and he having great success. And John, well, nobody really knows, but we are sure that he’s having a good time where ever he is.

Do you remember the beach of Amed with the black volcanic sand and the warm blue water? What about snorkeling above the ship wreck, diving down to swim among the tropical fish and the see the colorful coral? I won’t ever forget trying to make eco-bricks, laughing as we all tried to pack as much plastic into the bottles as we could. I will also never forget the service. Singing and dancing with the kids was magical. I hope you realize how much the students enjoyed their time with you. They loved your games and you taught them so much.

Please never forget your medical service as well. Visiting the different Balinese households was incredible. The service gave us better insight of the day-to-day life in Bali than a tour ever could. The elderly patients were so happy for your help they were lining up on the street and back at the Banjar so you could check their health. That’s truly special. And I hope you had as much fun white water rafting and surfing as I did. Bouncing from rapid to rapid through the jungle was the definition of an adventure. Reminiscing about the trip brings me back, and I feel like I am back in Kaya House now. I can almost here the bells in the distance and smell the incense in the air. I hope you have all been able to follow through on your affirmations and have applied what you learned in Bali to your life back home. If you haven’t, its not too late to start know.

Love you guys and hope all is well. Check in on your old friends; I’m sure they are all doing great things.

Terimah Kashi,

Your GLA Staff,
Rudy Calderon
John Dewald
Kelsey Stone
Reinardt Gilfillan
Beni Sanjaya
Rafika Yanthi
Evita Girsang

 

Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our 2019 programs, or enroll now.

Filed Under: Time Capsule

November 10, 2018 by Ashley Welter

Time Capsule – Bali – Children’s Education in Action – July 14 – August 3, 2018

Wow! Can you believe it has already been a few months since we were all together in Bali? I feel like it was just yesterday that we were all hanging out at Madras waiting for Emma to FINALLY arrive in Bali. I wish we were back in Amed drinking all the ice chocolates and smoothies we wanted, talking to French boys on the beach, watching the sun rise and soaking up the stars at night. We all can still remember the kids smiles on their faces every afternoon when you stepped foot out of the cars and everyone screaming all of your names. I remember your strive to do better with lesson planning and all the effort you put into each class session. We all really admired the work you did and how amazing you made the trip for all of us!

I hope that you have had an amazing start to your new school year. I have no doubt that you have stayed true to your commitments that you left with at the end of the program and that you have a new understanding of your role in the world. Keep traveling and keep taking risks, I know that each of you is going to make such a difference in the world!

Miss you all and stay in touch!

Much Love from Lena, Gita, Nicole, and Yanti

PS. Here are just some of the things we remember from our summer together:

-When that bat flew through our second chow circle and Max literally dragged Dante to the ground.
-“OHH MYYY GAWD”- Sam
– The puppy everyone wanted to take home from Amed <3 Weepo
– The pounds of Roti Bakar (Sweet bread) we ate at EBI
-Yogi and Orange Shorts Boy
-Max’s Work dance that he killed at Nayaran Seva (the rest of you did great too)
-“turn UP!”
-The many many much needed Indo Mart runs!
– When we finally treated you to delicious burgers in Amed
– Mama’s cooking in Ubud 🙂

 

Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our 2019 programs, or enroll now.

Filed Under: Time Capsule

November 10, 2018 by Ashley Welter

Time Capsule – Bali – Children’s Education in Action – June 20 – July 10, 2018

Wow! Can you believe it has already been a few months since we were all together in Bali? I feel like it was just yesterday that we were eagerly awaiting your arrivals at the airport and see your jetlagged faces ready to embark on an adventure of a lifetime!

I wish we were back in Amed drinking all the banana pineapple smoothies we wanted, playing the weirdly close orange game, watching the sun rise and soaking up the stars at night. We all can still remember the kids smiles on their faces every morning when you stepped foot out of the cars and everyone screaming all of your names. I remember your strive to do better with lesson planning and all the effort you put into each class session. We all really admired the work you did and how amazing you made the trip for all of us!

I hope that you have had an amazing start to your new school year. I have no doubt that you have stayed true to your commitments that you left with at the end of the program and that you have a new understanding of your role in the world. Keep traveling and keep taking risks, I know that each of you is going to make such a difference in the world!

Miss you all and stay in touch!

Much Love Nicole, Lena, Brenda Gita and Yanti

PS. Here are just some of the things I remember from our summer together:

-The amazing fireworks in Amed! 🙂
-The delicious banana pancakes
-The hilarious orange game… Looking at you Cody
– Boxed Lunch!
-Three amazing Days in Paradise… AKA Amed.
-Sunset boat ride and bon fires with Domingo and Anik
-The Triplets Birthday
-The many many much needed Indo Mart runs!
– Ha Ha Ha, Ho Ho Ho YEAH! Bagus Bagus YEAH!!
– Discovering the Waterfall, White water rafting, Scuba and Surfing !

 

Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our 2019 programs, or enroll now.

Filed Under: Time Capsule

August 7, 2018 by Ashley Welter

Dominican Republic – Summer Search Seattle (Custom Group Travel)

Monday August 6, 2018

Today we went to a nature conservation area in the city of Cabarete. It was in Cabarete where we plated different types of trees that are native to the area. Afterwards, we went swimming in the underground caves. We’re in love with The DR! We love the beautiful landscapes, the kind people, and the adventures we’ve experienced so far. We’re having an amazing time!

Tuesday August 7, 2018

Today was a very productive day and we got a lot of work done. It was very hard work building the community center and mixing cement. The local children helped out which was a great opportunity to meet members of the community. Overall, the group had an amazing time in NY Chiquito!

Thursday August 9, 2018

Today was Day 7 and we went to Dudu Lagoon! We explored caves, zip lined 50 feet down into a beautiful blue lagoon, played volleyball, and took naps in hammocks. After Dudu Lagoon we went to Playa Preciosa and drank virgin pina coladas while relaxing on the beach!

Friday August 10, 2018

Today was our last day at La Grua and we were able to finish bottling the recycling center. It was a hot and long day, but everyone was in great spirits.

The kids of La Grua wanted to be very involved in helping with the project and were very friendly despite the language barrier. As the service day came to an end, we played music and danced with all of the kids before we left!

Tired from the hard work, we stopped at a supermarket for snacks. The air conditioning felt amazing and all of us stocked up on cakes, soda, and many well deserved treats.

Saturday August 11, 2018

Today was one of our most relaxing days. Although we had a slow morning, a good portion of the group went on a run and worked out. We got to take a scenic walk to the local school in the community of Las Cañas, which was really cool! After eating lunch at the lodge, we headed to Cabarete beach where we were able to swim, shop, and tan. We ended the night with a documentary, stargazing by the pool, and embracing the lizards in our cabanas.

Sunday August 12, 2018

Today we went to work at the community of Caño Dulce to plant and water banana trees. These trees will provide food security and a stronger sense of community as the community is responsible for taking care of the trees after we plant them. We ended our day in the community by playing basketball with our new local friends!

Monday August 13, 2018

Today we worked on cementing the community center at NY Chiquito. It rained on us a couple of times at the construction site, but it was nothing we couldn’t handle! After a few hours of work we headed to Playa Preciosa for the final time, where it also rained, but was still beautiful! We finished the day discussing the 7 Elements of human security.

Tuesday August 14, 2018

Today was our last day in NY Chiquito. We made a lot of progress and worked hard on the community center. After work, we took a tour of the community. It was beautiful and full of music and lively people as well as murals of the town and it’s history! The group has gotten so close in these past two weeks. We’ve been here and have started to dread our last day. Everyday in the DR has been so beautiful and amazing. We never want it to end!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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