Colonial homes walking tours of Granada, Nicaragua, proceeds go to library and school projects

July 20th, 2010 | By Joshua | No Comments »

A friend asked me to share this, sounds like an excellent opportunity for anyone visiting or living in Granada, one of the most beautiful cities in the world (and the oldest on the North American continent!):

Enjoy a morning walking tour of some of Granada’s most beautiful and historical colonial homes. Learn about the history and the Spanish colonial architecture while viewing  the city’s private homes. Proceeds benefit the children of Nicaragua by providing books, education and other activities through Biblioteca Puedo Leer and Sacuanjoche Kindergarten. (more…)

Power to the People mixes renewable energy, voluntourism, on La Isla de Ometepe in Nicaragua

July 18th, 2010 | By Joshua | 1 Comment »

This short film abut a solar energy installation in rural Nicaragua was produced by Brad Allgood, an independent filmmaker, and Jenean Smith, founder of Power to the People, both of whom, I’m proud to say, are fellow Peace Corps Nicaragua brethren (I love hearing about RPCV compas who have found creative ways to stay connected to their host countries … but I digress).

The video opens with a wonderful, marimba-filled tribute to Nicaragua, then follows a group of volunteers as they travel to La Isla de Ometepe to assist with a solar panel installation. Beautiful scenery, interesting story, worthy cause. Enjoy.

“Strap ‘em on and hit the road!”—Tranquilo article on adventure vacation with young children

June 22nd, 2010 | By Joshua | 3 Comments »

My family and I make an appearance in this article about voluntourism and family travel. It was written by Amy Hatch for aol.com’s parenting website:

Not Your Ordinary Summer: Taking A Family Adventure Vacation

I’m quoted about what age is appropriate to take a child abroad (I aimed low), but I especially like this line by Richard Webb, co-founder of ProWorld: “No matter what kind of adventure travel experience you decide on, the effect it has on your family will be immeasurable. There is so much learning that we get when we expose ourselves to others.” READ THE ARTICLE->

Volunteer opportunity in Belize: animal lover and vet wanted on Caye Caulker

June 13th, 2010 | By Joshua | 2 Comments »

This just in from the Voluntary Traveler: “PAW (Protect Animal Welfare) Cat Sanctuary and Humane Society on Caye Caulker … needs a long-term volunteer and a long-term veterinary volunteer. Stay three months helping the sanctuary and your beach-side accommodations plus a continental breakfast are provided for the duration of your stay.” MORE about the position and how to apply –>

P.S. I took this Belizean kitty photo in Placencia (not Caye Caulker), at the Maya Beach Hotel and Bistro

New guide lists 700 Places to Volunteer Before You Die

May 29th, 2010 | By Joshua | No Comments »

Are you deciding where to go next? Voluntourism guru Nola Lee Kelsey’s collection of alternative travel opportunities, 700 Places to Volunteer Before You Die: A Traveler’s Guide (Dog’s Eye View Media, 2010), is a remarkable resource for travelers looking for a different kind of trip. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a complete, detail-filled listing which spans the entire globe. The book includes 11 opportunities in Nicaragua and 5 in Belize, and of course, hundreds of others around the world (there are actually 758 listings).

700 Places to Volunteer Before You Die also features an introduction with advice by “industry experts,” including yours truly (Kelsey’s interview with the Tranquilo Traveler begins on pp. 23), making it even easier to recommend. My only criticism of the book is that its organization is a bit tricky, especially since there is no index. But it’s still fun to browse the pages, looking for your next trip to pop out at you.
Check out Nola Lee Kelsey’s blog and podcast to learn more about volunteering abroad.

Your Mom. This Mothers’ Day, honor her with a small (or large) donation for education in Nicaragua

May 5th, 2010 | By Joshua | No Comments »

Does your mother really need another doily? Here’s a different way to honor her: support the mothers of Empowerment International, who live in outlying barrios of Granada, Nicaragua:

“We’re seeing an increasing trend of mothers involved and engaged in supporting their children’s school work, and they’re proud of what their children have achieved. This is a real measure of the success of the EI program—only a few years ago it was difficult to convince the families that their kids attending school was worth the lost income from them not being able to work in the streets.”

Watch the slide show and honor your mother here.

Article in Worldview Magazine: FIRE TRUCKS AND WATER FILTERS

April 16th, 2010 | By Joshua | 2 Comments »

More than 200,000 people have served in the U.S. Peace Corps during the 49 years that the program has been around. Many Returned Peace Corps Volunteers have gone on to do remarkable things. My article in the newest issue of Worldview magazine (a publication for returned and active volunteers) is about Rodney McDonald, a fellow Nica RPCV (and fellow adopted Esteliano) who still lives in Nicaragua to coordinate the equipment donations, fire truck arrivals, trainings, video productions, and other tasks for the non-profit organization he helped found, Emergency Response Services in Latin America (ERSLA).

JB: What advice would you give others looking to import big-ticket donations like fire engines and ambulances?
RM: Make sure the infrastructure is in place to support the donation…. I know of quite a few “good intentions” that have been donated and later to be parked and not be able to be utilized anywhere or even worse, where engines blew up in the trucks because no one took the time to show where to check the oil.

Download the entire article here: “Profiles in Service: FIRE TRUCKS AND WATER FILTERS”

Wonderful video of study-abroad cultural exchange on La Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua: A chat with the filmmaker, Heather Croix

February 7th, 2010 | By Joshua | No Comments »

The description of the video is simple—”Carthage College professors lead a group of students on a trip to Nicaragua to learn about physical geography and health care”— but its message is far-reaching and it captures aspects of travel and volunteering abroad — the anticipation, the fear, the lessons, the humility — that I’ve rarely seen presented so well.

The 9-minute film, “Explore Nicaragua,” was directed and edited by Heather Croix and produced and directed by Paul Chilsen. Heather is a recent college graduate, currently working as a swimming coach and substitute teacher in Wisconsin. Her trip to Nicaragua to document a Cathage College study-abroad program was her first time traveling outside the United States. Watching the video, you can tell it was as a profound experience for the filmmakers as for the subjects. I asked her about the experience: (more…)

Sustainable Harvest International offers volunteer opportunities in southern Belize

March 17th, 2009 | By Joshua | No Comments »

In a unique partnership with Cotton Tree Lodge, a highly acclaimed eco-lodge up the Moho River in Belize’s Toledo District, Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) has a number of ongoing projects that take advantage of Belize’s rich soil and plant diversity.

Sustainable Harvest International has been working in Belize since 1999—they’re also active in other Central American countries, “providing farming families with training and tools to overcome poverty while restoring the planet’s tropical forests.” In addition to overseeing an impressive organic garden at Cotton Tree Lodge, which supplies many vegetables for the kitchen, SHI offers a Sustainable Chocolate Tour in which participants can incorporate several days of volunteer work, chocolate making, and adventure activities. Proceeds from these trips benefit SHI’s Belize programs. SHI has also offers one-day volunteer opportunities to lodge guests.

“Peace Corps Worldwide” Website Launch Today

March 1st, 2009 | By Joshua | No Comments »

Today is the 48th anniversary of the signing of the Peace Corps Act by John F. Kennedy, an event which ushered in a whole new era of travel. In celebration, John Coyne and Marian Haley Beil announced the launch of a new online community intended for “Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs), Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), their friends and families, and all who share a desire for international understanding.” Peace Corps Worldwide is a project of the non-profit Peace Corps Fund, and is not associated with the Peace Corps.

I’ll be writing a column on the new site, under “The Travel Guys”, and I’ll be joined there by my esteemed coauthor, Randy Wood.

Here is my first column: “Seeing the World and Bringing it Home.”

You’ll also find a plethora of globally themed blogs and book reviews of works by Peace Corps writers—including a review of this novel by RPCV Barry Kitterman, who served in Belize in the 1970s.