Wanderlust: noun; a strong longing for or impulse toward wandering

-
It seems crazy to think that just a couple of months ago, I was in Paris and not long before that, I was exploring other countries in Europe. Now that I have (officially) finished undergrad, the necessity to move and a longing to travel has returned. I decided to add a minor to my Bachelor's of Arts degree because I didn't feel fully prepared to leave the comforts of the University nor was I ready to end my education. These months have been a conglomerate of incomprehensible feelings of joy and fleeting moments with a diversity of people from my oldest friend traveling to Peru (who I'm so excited to reunite with) to hosting a Russian student for a week and a half (who I will get to visit this Summer!) to a dear friend visiting from Iowa (who I met in China 2 years ago), I have been bombarded and blessed by constant changes. Thus, leading me to my next adventure: Colombia.
 Derived from my desire to continue practicing and using Spanish and my keen interest in South America-- after having studied extensively on the historical and political situation in various countries in Latin America-- I thought that it was finally time to pay my visit. I feel like Colombia chose me... The school responded quickly to my resume and before long, I had an interview and now it's less than a week before I leave. I skyped with the family that will be hosting- they are a young couple with a 2-year old daughter and they will also be hosting another girl from Finland. The school that I will be teaching English at is a private school in the mountains of Colombia called Tunja. Tunja has a somewhat cooler climate in the Spring. I will be working at the Blighty Bliss Institute where I will be teaching mostly teenagers and some adults English. This program is through www.workaway.com which allows people to connect with other companies and business and to work in exchange for accommodation.

 My dear long-time friend is currently in Lima, Peru. If you have the means, any help is tremendously appreciated, please consider donating to this organization: https://www.generosity.com/emergencies-fundraising/aid-for-victims-of-floods-in-peru
As a developing country, Peru is in dire need of international help. This is one of the worst floods that has ever hit Peru, killing nearly 70 lives. There is a widespread shortage of water and assistance and many parts of the city are destroyed. If you're interested in reading more about my friend's experience, follow her on her journey: http://taylorstravels22.blogspot.pe/2017/03/it-comes-in-threes.html?m=1

 When my friend from Iowa was visiting me, we spent the day at Tamolitch Pool, better known as Blue Pool, where crystal clear water runs from the glacier creating a gorgeous pool. It is a hidden treasure (more people are starting to discover it) on the outskirts of Eugene and we had a difficult time finding it. But after, I took her to the Twillinger Hot Springs, near the Cougar Reservoir.


 I am shutting off services on my phone so it will be difficult to reach me, but the best way will be through Facebook and WhatsApp or simply stay updated through this blog. I don't know how often I will be able to write, but as always, I will try my best. The plan thus far is to teach for a couple of months and then travel in different countries in South America for 2 weeks before returning to prepare for graduation and next Russia :) 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Waiting on the Wind

-
Image
It has been 17 days since I've been back from my excursion in China and in 4 short days, I will be leaving for Mexico to study abroad for 3 months. I'm restless and excited, apprehensive yet collected. An incomplete flawless list of emotions, time will continue to move along its continuum and I will have no choice but to move with it. I've lost, for hopefully a short period of time, a dear friend that I thought would always be standing by my side..but relationships, as always are often messy and inconsistent. In the end, time and distance often truly proves those who are, despite your imperfections, are more than willing (and worth fighting) to be in your life. We all learn this lesson, in varying moments of our lives, but eventually we all face the heart ache and the pain of letting someone that you care so deeply for, go. No matter how much effort, how many times you press the call button, or how many thoughtful messages you send, there comes a time when the best thing ...
Read more

Not just another political post

-
Happy Veteran's Day to everyone who has served, especially my beloved Father. In light of recent news regarding the election, I would like to clarify some misconceptions. This is not just another political post. Protests for many years have historically been a symbol of unity and change. The purpose of a protest is to increase awareness, to allow voices of the minority to be heard and to create a movement. Nonviolent protests are effective and revolutionary. We can never forget the work of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and so many more before us (and hopefully more after). I am aware that there are protests across the nation that have turned violent and destructive and while this may be the result for them, in Eugene, Oregon, this was not the case. I watched as members from the community-students, children, high schoolers, older folks, everyone of all backgrounds- joined together in solidarity, in a peaceful protest, to resist. Furthermore, I watch...
Read more

Day 9: Here Comes the Sun

-
Image
Today is the 9th day of being in China and the second day of camp, but it is the first day that I have seen the sun shine and the blue skies since coming here. The sun is the source of my happiness and when I saw it, I couldn't believe it. The pollution had dispersed and the sky was absolutely brilliant. I'm conscious about how appreciative I am of the sun and the clean air that we have back home but being here has just reaffirmed my love for it.              Camp was far less chaotic today than it was yesterday, however we still have a lot of work to do. Whenever I am in the presence of children, I am always in awe at their imagination and their colorful expressive minds. One of my student told me that she "colored what she felt". Her picture of dolphins jumping out of the ocean was described as coming from her imagination. Today I got three more kids added to my group making the count to thirteen. The majority of the children that I work with do ...
Read more