ABCs of Traveling Abroad

A – Address peel and stick labels for all your family and friends before you go. Then stick to postcards along the way and you’ll come home looking good.

B – Bottled water is a must – don’t drink anything else.

C – Cookbooks from your travels are always a great souvenir. Cook a dish from one when you have friends over to see your video and pictures

D – Digital cameras save the day; their small and you never run out of film

E – Expect excitement; go with anticipation, not trepidation

F – Food is fun, try something you’ve never eaten before like zebra pate or Australian wine

G – Give generous tips, especially in poor countries, you’ll be so glad you did

H – Hang out with the locals. Get to know a new person on your trip and get a photo with them

I – Inform someone at home of your itinerary

J – Journal every day. Can you remember now what you did last week?

K – Kids love it when you have packed little surprises to open along the way

L – Learn something: Take a pasta making course in Italy, Scuba diving in Argentina or Belly dancing in Bagdad (just kidding)!

N – Note the local artisans and buy something authentic

O – One substantial souvenir is better than a lot of small things. Then ship it home to lighten your luggage

P – Postcards will rescue you when your photography fails. You can never have too many

Q – Questions help you get the most out of all you see and experience.

R – Read before you leave. Read lots of books about your destination. Find out who the local best sellers are, and read one of their books.

S – Scrapbook within the first week of getting home

T – Travel as light as humanly possible. Dragging luggage is no fun.

U – Unpack as soon as you get home.

V – Vaccinations and certain medications are necessary in some countries – be sure to check with the World Health Organization about what you need.

W – Whining never fixes anything – buck up and deal with the differences

X – exchange your currency at the airport or a bank and be sure you understand the value of your money

Y – You are the one who will make or break your adventure. Plan to be positive

Z – Zero in on one or two experiences and squeeze the most out of them. Adventure overload will leave you confused.

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8 Tips for Packing and Traveling Light

Use the following pithy packing tips to make your travel light:

Make a list. Compose a pack list. Be sure to coordinate shirts and blouses with bottoms. To maximize your traveling wardrobe fashion savoir faire, stick with solids and versatile basics. Rule-out any clothes that do not match other items.

Roll ‘em up please. The best way to fit all your clothes is by rolling pants and shirts. First fold each item in half. Then simply roll. To try to maintain any creases, start on the bulkiest end of the article of clothing.

Gear up. How to make an awe-inspiring impression out of a basic or mundane outfit? For the most glam appeal, accessorize with a vibrant tie (for him) or a florid scarf (for her). Multihued accessories can liven up just about any attire.

Minimize bulk. After you check for space, edit outfits – ruthlessly. Try to pack microfibers with wrinkle and stain free comfort. With most of your attire, stay in the same color scheme – in case you have to layer up for warmth.

Employ shoe smarts. For men, any leather rubber-soled shoes can make the day and night transition, easy. For woman, a pair of flip-flops, strappy sandals and comfy wedges can serve all casual – chic dressing needs.

Put under garments on the top. To reduce the embarrassment of under garments becoming the side show attraction of the open luggage scan, place all panties in a plastic bag free of any clippers, lighters or other questionable paraphernalia. For expedient security review, place the transparent bag on top of your other items so security can access the bag without ruining your efficient packing method.

Lose Extra Baggage. Leave the heavy travel guide at home. Duplicate important resources to keep your luggage free of extra pounds. Since most hotels and resorts provide irons and blow-dryers –leave yours at home for light travel.

Leave restricted items at home. If you want to make it through security extra fast, avoid any firearms, weapons, box-cutters, scissors, razors, lighters and any other item that may be used in a terrorist situation.

http://blog.abroaderview.org

http://www.abroaderview.org

Volunteer Abroad in Philippines Tacloban Tanauan Olango Island Orphans

Volunteer Abroad in Philippines: Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Abroad in Philippines: The culture of the Philippines is a combination of Asian and Spanish influence. The people are an ethnic mix of Malay, Chinese, Spanish, American, and Indian. Since the Spaniards dominated the Philippines for over 300 years, many of their traditions, and holidays originate from the Spaniards. Over 90% of the country is Christian and 80% of these are Catholics. Local feasts for patron saints are some of the popular catholic celebrations. Religion plays an important role in the lives of the Filipinos.

Filipino, also known as Tagalog, is the official national language in the Philippines with English considered as the country’s unofficial one. Both English and Tagalog are taught in school starting in grade one. In addition, there are over 111 dialects spoken throughout the different regions of the country.

Hospitality is one of the Filipino characters that truly distinguish them from other Southeast Asian people. A visitor is treated as the most important person they have ever met and will be introduced to the best the family can offer – the best food, the best place in the table, the best things, and, if they have to stay overnight, the best room and beddings!

The Philippines primarily has a tropical rainforest climate. Heavy rains are common from June to October because of the Southwest Monsoon. Monsoons are rare from December through June so there is little rainfall during these months. Strong typhoons are a concern from June through November.

Our projects are located in the Visayans, on the Leyte Island, supporting the education of orphan and rural children from the surrounding areas. The poverty experienced in this area is not just a lack of money but also the inability to access basic needs, such as health care and health facilities, as well as basic quality education for all of its children.

Our programs allow you to take part in meaningful community service work, while discovering the people, sights, smells and tastes of the Philippines.

Volunteering while traveling n the Philippines is a way to totally immerse you in Filipino culture.

This is a great opportunity to make life-long friends, learn a new culture from the inside out and discover that one person really can make a difference.

Volunteer overseas with us and see A Broader View of the World.

Locations pages:

• Tacloban
• Tanauan
• Olango Island

1001 Dell Lane Suite B, Wyncote, PA 19095, USA Volunteer Abroad Project

Tel: 1-215-780-1845 / Toll Free: 1-866-423-3258 / Fax: 1-215-887-0915

volunteers@abroaderview.org – www.abroaderview.org – info@abroaderview.org

Volunteer Abroad in Ecuador, Quito, Cuenca, Cayambe, Esmeraldas, Amazon, Salinas Volunteering Orphanage, Street Kids, Clinics, Building, Indigenous Programs www.abroaderview.org

Volunteer Abroad in Ecuador, Quito, Cuenca, Cayambe, Esmeraldas, Amazon, Salinas Volunteering Orphanage, Street Kids, Clinics, Building, Indigenous Programs http://www.abroaderview.org

Ecuador, a small South America country, is bordered to the north by Colombia, to the east and south by Peru, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. The country is divided into four distinct regions; the Amazon, the Highlands, the Coast, and the Galápagos Islands.

Compared with many South American countries, Ecuador is very small. Nevertheless in this limited area there are at least 50 types of natural terrestrial vegetation, diverse ecosystems and an immense variation in wildlife. Ecuador is one of 17 mega diverse countries in the world according to Conservation International. With 1600 bird species (some 15% of the world’s known bird species) in the continental area, and 38 more endemic to the Galápagos. There are also 25,000 species of plants recorded; it has 106 endemic reptiles, 138 endemic amphibians, and 6,000 species of butterflies.

Today, Ecuador remains a multiethnic and multicultural nation, where more than 14 indigenous groups maintain their own traditions and ways of life, to the delight of visitors. The country has a plentitude of national parks, wildlife reserves, natural springs, volcanoes and ecological reserves and beautiful cities. Ecuador gives the tourists a mega bio-diversity and a chance for great adventures in the mountains, volcanoes, jungle, white beaches and exotic islands.

Although in recent years Ecuador has benefited from a rise in tourism offer some economic relief, millions of people live below the poverty line, mainly children. Governmental statistics estimate that over one million children work to survive and maintain their families. Growing poverty, lack of education and limited governmental resources further worsen the problem of street children and orphans in Ecuador. A government study* concluded that 45% of the population between the ages of 10 and 16 are working, 60% of the children under the age of five are malnourished and a third of the population has not completed the first part of their basic education. (*First Congress on Nutrition Development, Quito 2000)

Our volunteer projects allow you to help street children and orphans in Quito, teach English in a local Andes village, work at one of the numerous ecology/conservation bio stations or animal welfare reserves located throughout the Amazon, coastal and Andes regions. Our programs allow you to discover the wonders of Ecuador, while doing meaningful community work. This is a great opportunity to enhance your Spanish knowledge, live with the locals and realize one person can make a difference.

Volunteer with us and see A Broader View of the World.

“You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you” - Anonymous.

Location pages:

Quito
Cuenca
Cayambe
Esmeraldas North Coast
Amazon Rainforest
Salinas South Coast

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AbroaderView.org – 1001 Dell Lane Suite B, Wyncote, PA 19095, USA Volunteer Abroad Project
Tel: 1-215-780-1845/ Toll Free: (866)-423-3258 / Fax: 1-215-887-0915
volunteers@abroaderview.org – www.abroaderview.org – info@abroaderview.org