The blog is back!

This post can only mean one thing…I am headed overseas again! If you are reading this, you likely already know that since my last post in 2011, I came home from South America, got my masters in social work, packed up my life in Boston and moved it to my parents basement in NY, and bought a one-way ticket to Vietnam!! I leave for the airport tomorrow. Between my job and lease coming to an end at the same time, I thought it was the perfect chance to get in another big trip, while I still can. This time there is no job or project or real reason to go. I have just always wanted to backpack around Southeast Asia, so I decided to go for it. So after getting a series of japanese encephalitis shots, typhoid pills, a Vietnam visa, another Lonely Planet guidebook, and more pages sewn into my passport, I'm ready!

I have my lovely friend Danit in Ho Chi Minh City, hence the decision to start in Vietnam. She will be the smiling face at the end of my 24ish hours of travel, and I will use her as my base while I start to explore Vietnam, celebrate Thanksgiving/Hannukah, and make the rest of my travel plans. I hope to get to Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand on this trip, with possible stops in Indonesia, Malaysia, and/or other countries TBD along the way. I am thinking I’ll be gone for about 5 months, but it could be 3, could be 7…I’m not sure yet!

I was hired to be a teaching assistant in Costa Rica & Nicaragua again with Northeastern University for 5 weeks this summer, so I for sure have to be back home by late June 2014. Likely I will be out of money way before that time, but that’s the very latest I could be in Asia. I’ll be helping to prepare for that project via skype/email/carrier pigeon while I am away, so I guess you can call this a “working vacation?” OK not really.

I feel so blessed and lucky to be able to take this time and go on this trip. It has been hard to say goodbye to so many people and I know that I will miss out on a lot here at home, but I know that this was the right choice for me. And I always feel incredibly grateful when I realize just how much I have to say goodbye to, and how many loving, wonderful, caring, special people I have in my life. I fully expect to move back to Boston after this trip and start my real social-working life there. I’m just not ready yet. I have the rest of my life to work, right?

I am SO excited for this trip, and just a little nervous. For all of the travel I have done, I have never been to this part of the world, and I am not used to going to countries where I do not speak the language and know the culture. I will learn key phrases and smile/point/gesture/laugh/get lost a lot, which I always love, but it can certainly get nerve-wracking at times. I’ve also never planned such a long trip on my own. I always meet a ton of people, so I’m sure that this time will be no different. Still, if anyone wants to come join me for any amount of time, please let me know J And if I get lonely or tired or frustrated or whatever, I may do some WWOOFing, which is an international organic farming program. So I can find a family that needs help working outside, and I work for them in exchange for lodging and food. I hope to try this out at least once, it seems like a fun opportunity! I may also look into some social service agencies/projects and various non-profits/NGOs and spend some time volunteering somewhere.

E-mail will be the best way to get in touch with me; klein.rachelg@gmail.com. When I have wifi I can use imessage, skype, facetime, and various apps to communicate. Please send me updates and keep in touch, I will miss everyone tremendously and any news from home is always appreciated.

FYI, I will be 11 or 12 hours ahead of the east coast while i'm gone, so keep that in mind when trying to get in touch. 

Sending loads of love to everyone!! I’ll update when I can J

Love Affair

Alright guys, this is getting serious. I am having an intense affair with Colombia...in fact, I am head over heels in love. I promise to come home, but its not going to be easy.

After writing my last blog post from Bogota, I headed back to my hostel for the night and met some awesome new buddies. First, I met these two awesome dutch guys who are riding bicylces from Alaska to Argentina, and doing it all to raise awareness about water issues. They are totally badass...check out www.cycleforwater.com, im a bit obsessed with them. I also met Bill, a hysterical older Scottish guy who, years ago, hitchhiked from New York to Central America. Meeting cool new characters from all over the world is one of my favorite joys of traveling.

And then, most importantly for me, I met two British girls, on holiday here in Colombia for just 2 weeks. They were a few beers in, and when I casually mentioned that I was headed to the Zona Cafetera the next day, and would they like to join me...they said yes! Yay new travel buddies. We spent a few days in Salento, a stunning and beautiful town. We spent a day hiking in the Valle de Cocora, which had its challanging points (picture me crawling on a log to traverse a river to understand part of the hike), but it was rewarded with incredible views at the top. The next day we spent a few hours working on a coffee plantation...cleaning trees, it was all very glamarous...which was a fun experience. Sadly, their water pipe wasnt working that day, so we couldnt have any coffee afterwards! Bummer. Dont worry though, I made up for it every other day. mmmm coofffeeee.

After Salento I went to Villa de Leyva, an awesome little colonial town that almost reminded me of Europe a bit. I wandered the square and its surrounding cobblestone streets, sat in a park, and treated myself to an amazing lunch (mozzarella with tomatoes, garlic mushrooms, and a glass of wine. delish).

After that I headed to San Gil, where I am now. It was supposed to be a jumping off point to another colonial town Barrichara, one of Colombias prettiest and most well preserved. I ended up staying here in San Gil for 2 nights, as its half the price to stay here than in Barrichara, and only a 45minute bus ride. I went to Barrichara yesterday with a fun guy from New Jersey, and we spent the day walking around, seeing churches, having iced coffee on a balcony, and doing a 9k walk to another even smaller little town. Beautiful walk, much of it around the edge of a canyon, hot hot hot sunshine...it was a good day.

In about an hour, I have a 13hour overnight bus ride to the coast, which will hopefully be my vacation within my vacation. Ive been looking forward to this part of my trip for months, and im really really excited! I shall keep everyone posted!!

Hope that summer is in full force back home :)

COLOMBIA!!!!!!

I am in love with this country.

I think that Colombia is one of the most consistently beautiful countries I have ever been to...each bus ride and each walk I take will find me with my mouth open, staring awestruck around me. It´s unreal. I did NOT take into account that Ecuador could fit into Colombia´s pocket...Colombia is so big! So its been a lot of long bus rides, but I honestly dont even mind. Ive actually been enjoying the buses, as I get to just look out the window for hours!

Surprisingly, crossing into Colombia from Ecuador was probably the easiest border ive ever encountered. I spent one night near the border, then headed up north to Popayan, a lovely colonial city. There, I learned about Tierradentro, which became my next stop. It is only reachable by long dirt roads, but was totally worth the effort. It is the base of an archaeological sight with tombs and statues, so I spent a day hiking to those, and then farther up through the mountains for the beautiful views. Tierradentro is a perfect Colombian country town...tiny, tranquil, peaceful...i loved it. It actually made me feel like I was back in the jungle a bit.

Now im in Bogotá, the capital, to enjoy museums, good food, and some really fun and awesome people. Ive really enjoyed it so far, and tomorrow I head out to the Zona Cafeteria, or Coffee zone. It is known for...shocker...coffee, and also lots of pretty hikes and scenerey. Im really looking forward to getting there! It´s been so fun to just plan my days as I go, hopping from one place to the next. It´s awesome to talk to people about a place, and then find yourself there in a few days. I only wish that I had more time to explore, there is no way that I can do everything on my Colombia wish list. But im trying to make the most of the time that I do have!

Dont believe all of the media hype from years ago about Colombia...I do not expect to be kidnapped or to become a drug mule. Not even close. I am loving every minute...the people are so friendly, the food is delish, the coffee is always flowing, and as I cannot stop repeating, the views and scenery are unrivaled.

So far, so good! Viva Colombia!

GALAPAGOS!!

Hola! I am back on the mainland, after 8 fantastically fabulous days in the Galapagos islands. The Galapagos are unbelievable, it is the stuff that Disney movies can only dream of. I kept feeling like I was on Animal Planet.
My boat was small and we certainly felt the moving seas, but apart from one really rough night where most of us bonded over our sick bags, it wasn´t a big deal. And let me tell you, it was worth it! It´s hard to sum up everything, so just some highlights:
-snorkeling with huge, colorful, funny looking fishies, sharks, sea turtles, penguins, manta rays, crabs, etc.
-watching all of the birds, many of which would fly with our boat for hours. this of course includes the blue footed boobies...we even got to watch a mating ritual.
-playing with sea lions and fur seals! they are like the puppies of the galapagos, just so so so cute.
-incredible moonlit and starry skies from the top deck of the boat
-walks around the islands where we could get literally a meter or two from the animals. the animals are generally not scared of people, and thus, as long as you don´t scare them and you respect their space, you can get super close. amazing.
-lizards, hawks, iguanas, and other fun crawlies

I´m sure that i´m missing a ton, and I cant wait to show everyone pictures! I highly recommend this trip to anyone who can manage it, its just incredible.

Back in Quito, deciding where I want to head next. I´m thinking that it´s finally time for Colombia, and I may begin to head north as early as tomorrow! No reason to stick around the city, and i´m looking forward to getting another stamp in my passport asap.

I´ll keep everyone posted on my whereabouts!

Out of the jungle. On the move. Its´s ON.

Hola from the (sort of) real world!
Do you guys know how crazy it is to see televisions? Everyone has them! And to be able to turn on a light or charge electronics whatever time of day you want? And do you know that I havent seen rain in almost 3 full days? This world is a crazy place! And don´t even get me started on the food options... It is very strange not to be at the house, but soon it will hit me that I no longer live there. Sad and exciting all at once.

So yes. I finally managed to get myself out of the jungle. Jessie came with me and we had a delightful dinner to celebrate her birthday/my leaving at El Jardín, often listed as one of the top 10 restaurants in Ecuador, and always deemed the number one restaurant in the area. And it´s right in Puyo! It was so nice to splurge and have a STEAK. mmmm so good. Worth every penny and calorie.

Jessie and I are an old married couple and werent quite ready to handle saying goodbye, so we met for coffee the next morning before she finally kicked me out of Puyo for good. So off to Quito I went, ready to do some research on the Galapagos trip I have been dreaming of forever. AND TODAY I BOOKED IT!! Thats right, I am officially going to the Galapagos islands...on Friday! I am SO SO SO excited. For the same price, I could have purchased a small house here, or funded another month and a half in south america...but it was just too amazing to pass up. I can´t wait to play with the animals!

I´m now in Otovalo, 2-3 hours north of Quito, and known for its huge market, one of the biggest in south america. I´m not here for market day though, but just to meet up with Jeremy as he heads back to the jungle. So its 2 days in Otovalo, then back to Quito for my big trip to the islands! And i´m hoping to be in Colombia by the last week of May. Time is already just whizzing by, I can´t believe how fast its all going.

I got to my hostel here and immediately realized that I was without my only fleece jacket...super lame. It´s either on the bus or in the park, both options being totally unhelpful. Luckily, the town is renound for its alpaca goodies, so I will (yet again) be buying warm south american clothes. I always do, now i´m just glad to have an excuse!

Not sure how much internet access i´ll have from the boat, and i´m going to be staring at animals, not computers... so i´ll check in again after the 20th, when i´m back on the mainland.ç
:-)

Last night in the jungle...

One adventure ends, another begins.
It is my last night here in the amazon jungle, what has been my home now for the past 8 months. I´m not sure how I feel, as I have absolutely not processed it yet. In my head, i´m still making plans for next week, and thinking about what else I need to get done...I have to keep reminding myself that I won´t be here!

It is definitely bittersweet. I love living here, even with all of the challanges that come with jungle life. I will especially miss Jessie, my partner in crime here, and my dog Jim. And the amaaaazing views, the children and communities I work with, taking long jungle walks, the sounds and smells of the jungle... so much about my life here is just a once in a lifetime experience that I know I will never have again.
On the other hand, I am really excited for what comes next! (Not that I have any idea what comes next...but that´s half the fun!) I have a loose outline of what my almost 2 months of travel will look like, but i´m going to just see where one bus takes me, explore, and make my way to the next stop whenever i´m ready. I´m really looking forward to Colombia, and to seeing parts of Ecuador that I have been wanting to visit since I got here.

Saying goodbye to my kids and the friends I have made out here was really emotional, it has been a very long and draining week. I am still finishing up lots of work, hence why I am still at the house this weekend and not already on the move. Hopefully everything will be finished by tomorrow afternoon, then I have one last night in Puyo with Jessie, and then I´m out of here!

I´m leaving my Ecuador cell phone here, but I will be relatively accessible via e-mail and skype. Keep in touch, and I´ll do the same. If anyone feels like joining me for some adventures south of the border, just hop on a plane and i´ll find you. I´m hoping that a large portion of my time will be spent on the carribbean coast of Colombia, but i´m also looking forward to some volcano hiking, salsa dancing, small colonial town exploring, museum touring, ruins visiting, and coffee drinking. So there is something for everyone!!

Sending besos to everyone. I miss you all more than you know!

PLEASE HELP AND DONATE!

http://www.youvolunteer.org/carfundappeal

Please check out that website, take a look at some of the work that i´m doing, and donate what you can! Out here, even a few dollars makes a huge difference! At the moment, our greatest need is a new car that we can actually rely on to get to the schools each day.

So take a look, and give what you can!!
And make sure to let me know if you donate, so I can thank you properly! :)

http://www.youvolunteer.org/carfundappeal