Jack Murphy's stunning photos of Nepal

French & German Language Immersion kicks off this month

On December 9th, 52 students from around Australia will wave goodbye to their families and jump on a flight to either France and Germany, the beginning of their 5-7 week language immersion abroad.

The Language Immersion program is unique home-stay program, where Year 10 and 11 students are able to sharpen their language skills while soaking up the European culture in a community abroad.

This year, students will be living together in Offenburg, Germany and split between three historic towns of Lyon, Vannes and Rouen in France.

Chaperones from Australia who are fluent in French and German will accompany the students for the duration of their stay, helping them feel settled with their new host brothers, sisters and families.

Along with attending school with their host brothers and sisters, the students will experience a true European Christmas and exciting city tours as a group in Paris, Berlin, Munich and even Switzerland!

Language Immersion Manager Maureen Carpenter says an immersion abroad ‘provides the opportunity for students to practice a second language with native speakers, while being totally immersed in another culture. It teaches them independence while also broadening their views on the world around them.’

Asked what she was looking forward to the most Monte St Angelo student Elysia Stow said she was excited about 'meeting my exchange host sister after talking to her on Facebook and Skype for so long! I'm also really excited to spend Christmas with her family as it will be a very different experience compared to what I am used to.' Elysia believes the experience will be 'character building' and hopes she'll learn a lot from it.

To all our Language Immersion students we say Au revoir et bonne chance / Auf wiedersehen unde viel!

Find out more about the Antipodeans Abroad Language program here. 

Kincoppal Rose-Bay get set for Indian leadership adventure

Two weekends ago, 11 motivated young ladies from Kincoppal - Rose Bay School descended on Balmoral Beach for their long anticipated training weekend. Decked in hiking boots and Antips t-shirts, the students are preparing for their Antipodeans Abroad Expedition to India in December 2014.

The team of 11 students, 2 teachers and 1 experienced leader will spend 3 weeks in India embarking on a leadership journey across the East Indian Himalayan region, and participate on basic renovation and building projects with local communities.

The students will use their initiative to make important trip decisions along the way, such as accommodation, transport options and meal choices.

Expedition Manager Anne Done says a leadership expedition ‘provides the opportunity for students to make real decisions as a team that affects the forward movement of their journey. It teaches them the consequences and rewards of their actions and decisions.’

The combination of stunning mountains including Everest, Makalu, Lhotse and Kanchenjunga (4 of the worlds highest mountains), along with Tibetan, Nepalese and Indian cultures provides a mixture of experiences only available in this diverse destination.

Asked what she was looking forward to the most Kincoppal student Molly Windsor said she was excited about 'experiencing such a different culture from the one in Australia that I have always grown up in. Although, this may be a challenge at certain times I am looking forward to broadening my cultural understanding of the world.' Molly is also looking forward to is the community project and trek along the stunning Singalila Ridge.

Molly hope to return to Australia with a more 'appreciative approach to life.' And with a increased 'sense of social justice and empathy.'

The past month has seen many training weekends for schools around Australia embarking on similar journeys abroad to Morocco, Borneo and Tanzania. Schools such as Roseville College (Morocco and Laos), Shore School (Tanzania) and Barker College (Morocco) are in the final stages of preparation for their overseas experience.

Good luck to all our summer Expedition teams!

Find out more about Antipodeans Abroad leadership Expeditions here.

Gap Years Give Students Academic Edge

Taking a gap year may be the best career choice you ever make. Why? Gap years are an opportunity to gain some real world experience, gain valuable insights to bring to the lecture theatre and develop a greater sense of personal direction and specific academic goals.

Many universities recognise and encourage students to take a gap year before returning to the classroom. Any experience that helps to expand your mind is priceless. You learn about the world, yourself and return to studying with a much more rounded view of life.

Gain more skills, achieve better grades
The results of the research taken out by Professor Research Fellow Andrew Martin speak for itself. The study followed 904 Australian students, taking note of their high school achievements and whether they had taken a gap year before university. 65% of the group were female and 35% were male.

Focusing on the results of students studying in Arts, Social Science, and Science disciplines, the study found that, contrary to slowing their academic performance down, constructive gap years helped the students to gain more skills and in turn, achieve better grades.

“For many students, a gap year is about crystallising their decision-making; developing self-directed and self-regulation skills, broadening their competencies and self-organisation and perhaps their confidence,” said lead author, Professor Martin

The conclusion? Professor Martin recommends volunteering, part-time work and language-based travel to develop valuable skills for university life. A gap year could accelerate your momentum, and give you clearer objectives of what you want to do, the person you want to be, and life goals you want to achieve.

Figure out who you are, and what inspires you
A gap year will give you the opportunity to find out who you are and what inspires you as you approach young adulthood. This is particularly beneficial for students who grew up in a structured environment with clearly-defined goals. The personal freedom will see you become closer to being a self-actualised adult.

Choosing a gap year to suit you
Antipodeans Abroad have a number of gap year programs for you to choose from. There are many countries you can travel to, and many communities you can help to make a difference in. If you’re interested in finding a gap year program, contact Antipodeans Abroad today to find out more! Or call us on 02 9415 1322.

Antipodeans Oxfam Trailwalker team describe what it's like to walk 100km in 39 hours!

Much like travel (think about it as you prepare for the upcoming Antipodeans trip), reaching that final destination can seem so faraway and yet, right around the corner, you’re jetsetting off to a different country, immersing yourself in a different culture, trying the local foods and living out what you have been working so hard for in the past 6-12 months. And that is what it felt like training for a 100km walk; weeks and weeks of preparation, training walks in rain, hail or shine, bush bashing, deep squats and a personal team favourite; bush toilets.

The weeks go by so fast and all of a sudden, you’re on the tarmac, you’re at the start line and you’re off…and as you run through the night, brave that dreaded creek crossing that has become a friendly boulder climb at 2am, you think to yourself – what were you thinking leaving the comforts of everything you know?

But as the sun rises in the east, from out of the bush, you’re greeted by smiling faces. Your face, a little bit more exhausted but mirroring those smiles, nonetheless. The hash browns have been brought, the porridge has been made and coffee is at the ready (although not through a drip, which is what you think you need). That’s when you realise; you’ve made it to the 5am checkpoint; 20 hours into the Oxfam Trailwalker and over half way there.

Fast forward to the 70km mark, as you lay across the blue tarp, your feet in the air, you prepare yourself mentally for the last 30km because in the end, it’s not your body that is going to let you down, it’s your mind – so you gear up and you look across the sea of tarp, and all that you can see are sandwiches and electrolytes – to the east and the west, the north and the south but just beyond that deliciously squished Nutella sandwich, just when you’re looking for that last little push to keep you going, you see your teammate on the ground, in a full hamstring stretch, and another in a “you’ve got it in you” hug and there it is, you’ve found that drive to get through the last 30km.

Is it the destination or the journey? Both. Walking 100km feels great – but to be honest it felt pretty horrible at the same time – pure elation felt at such an achievement mingled in with the exhaustion from 39 hours of walking. But as you stand (with the aid of walking poles) at your final destination and you look back on everything you’ve picked up, swallowed, or learned along the way, the sandwiches, the muesli bars, the band aids, the paramedics and most importantly the support – you start to see why it was all worth it.

What is taken from the journey will be different for everyone, whether it’s in learning from Team 440 that all you really need is some chicken breast, a can of beans and some talcum powder. To realising that sometimes you just have to run it off, that strapping tape is perhaps not the best solution for blisters (try underlay), that it’s ok to cry, or that in the face of utter exhaustion and defeat, the people around you, whether it’s your team, your family and friends who got up at the crack of dawn to massage your stinky feet, stretch your hammies, change your socks and tie your shoelaces, make you pie, are even more determined for you to overcome this challenge, than perhaps even you are.

Our team name says it all “We are an awesome team” . One of the greatest things about entering a team challenge is learning about yourself and learning about others, whether it’s in learning to facilitate in a group atmosphere, to regulate your emotions, to listen to others and also to yourself, to adapt and be flexible to your team mates and in an unfamiliar environment and most importantly, the value of good support. Whether it’s on skype, face-to-face, in the act of giving a massage, baking pies and caramel slice or giving a hug when it’s needed. That 100km walk was a massive achievement and the biggest congratulations to all the participants who raised money for Oxfam’s work here and abroad by pounding the track for least 24 hours.

Antipodeans Abroad and Barker College over the past 8 years

Barker College, Indian Himalaya, 2004

Barker College, Tanzania, 2011

PROGRAM: Expeditions & Tours
SCHOOL: Barker College
Written By: Sally Collins, Assistant Dean of the Senior School, Barker College

Antipodeans Abroad have been working with Barker College to provide amazing experiences since 2004 through the Expedition program. Typically the trips have involved a cultural immersion, an opportunity to improve their language skills and a physical adventure that pushes the students to achieve something that they have never achieved before; climbing Mt Meru, Tanzania (4566m), trekking the highest pass in Peru, completing a 8 day trek through the Indian Himalayas or trekking the great Wall of China in the snow for 8 days.

Antipodeans Abroad has always organised an amazing community service component in each Expedition helping others who are less fortunate than us; including resourcing a Tibetan school and repainting part of the monastery, putting a first toilet, shower and hot water service into a rural school in south west China, making an outdoor eating area for a poor boarding school in Peru and setting up a perma-culture area for an orphanage in Tanzania.

The students fundraise for the year leading up to the Expedition, with a common amount of $AUS7000 raised to fund their stay and the equipment they will need on their community project. Monday is also raised for extra schooling, resources, equipment and upkeep of the project in each country.

Barker College, India, 2005

On these Expeditions, the students develop an understanding and awareness for others, emotional intelligence and a travel independence that cannot be given to them in Australia. They book restaurants, accommodation and transport on the Expeditions and plan and arrange the itinerary. Antipodeans support the students with regular itinerary, fundraising and team building meetings.

A quote from a student that joined one of our expeditions –

“It was a very different experience in another country without the guidance of my parents. I definitely learnt to be an independent traveller and how to control what I was doing. I have returned a changed person. I have come to appreciate the things I take for granted in this country. I came back with a renewed love of my friends as I hadn't seen them in ages but most of all I came back with an open mind. Seeing the orphans living such a simple life made me think about mine, all the over exaggeration and emphasis on wealth and happiness that comes with it. It was absent there, it was just simple.”

Barker College, Tanzania, 2011

Expedition Leader's Selection Weekend

PROGRAM: Expeditions & Tours
Written By: Kia Langmead, Expedition Manager

Antipodeans Abroad recently held their annual Expedition Leader's selection weekend, where potential leaders gather to determine their suitability as a future leader on an Antipodeans Abroad expedition. People flew in from all around the country to take part in the weekend, and the weekend attracted a variety of quality Australian facilitators and educators with a wealth of experience and travel.


An Antipodeans Expedition is a program that allows young people to explore new horizons through a 3-4 week expedition in a developing country. The program brings together groups of students aged 14-18 years to discover new cultures, face new challenges and learn new skills, under the supervision of professional leaders. The Antipodeans Abroad Leader has overall responsibility for the welfare of the expedition and members of the team, as well as foreseeing and preventing any risks involved in the activities carried out by the group.

They are also responsible for facilitating the learning outcomes associated with the expedition. The role of an Antipodeans Leader is a dynamic and multi-faceted role, and therefore we were looking for people over 25 years of age, with experience working with young people, extensive personal travel and the ability to make good judgment calls under pressure.

Saturday comprised of a series of workshops, presentations, scenarios and role plays, designed to get the potential leaders thinking on their feet and responding to events that may occur on an Antipodeans Expedition.

Sessions were dynamic and varied, ranging from discussion about how to respond to an emergency situation in a remote area, to observing personalities and leadership styles through initiatives in the outdoors.

Those that were invited to stay on to the Sunday, joined returning Antipodeans leaders and took part in a day of leadership training. Areas that were covered include: Professionalism, roles and responsibilities, communication and emergency procedures and a question and answer session with a ‘Panel of Experts’, which consisted of a panel of returning leaders who offered advice on leading various aspects of an expedition.

All in all, it was a great weekend. Many thanks to all those who made a big effort to be there, and who came from around the country to be a part of the weekend. We look forward to working with you in the future!

The Expedition team,
Danielle, Anne, Kia, Joe and Michelle

Ready, Set, Go! Training Camp prepares Gappers for their adventure abroad

On the 4th of June a bunch of young, enthusiastic teenagers came from all over Australia (literally) to hear of the exciting experiences they will be having when they venture off to do their placements to all kinds of countries around the world; from the Savannah grasslands in Africa to the monumental Eiffel Tower in France! Here students recount their experience of their own GapBreak training camp. We came thinking our placement was a long three months away...we left counting down the sleeps until we leave! To begin the weekend we were told to move into our country groups. It was here when we saw who we would be in close quarters with during our placement. Shy hellos were exchanged-however by dinner that night, you could count on it that we were all friends...on facebook! After three hours of four girls chatting away, it was surprising to see that the one male in our group, hadn't been sent running for the hills- we did console him however, that there would other male company at our placement he would be able to “reconnect” with.

Later that day, we were given basic tips on how to teach English to young children. We were given details of what to expect when we walk into the classroom, as well as what we would be teaching. After an hour of colouring in, 'Simon Says' and differentiating between the primary colours, I think we all walked out of the classroom feeling more confident in teaching a class of 30 young children; I know I did.

After staying up to all hours, gossiping with the girls I had just met from Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra we were awoken at 7.30 for breakfast. Over breakfast our group sat together and talked excitedly about our “guest speaker” coming to speak to us about our specific country we were headed; Tanzania. It was great to hear from someone first hand, who had undergone what we were about to encounter, only a mere 12 months before. Our speaker told us to what to expect, what we would be doing and the meaningful friendships we would make over our 3 months in Tanzania. Over a delicious Fish and Chips for lunch, there were many...many exclamations of “I’m so excited! I can't wait!”

The weekend was drawing to an end. Everyone was given one last activity (which involved a lot of yelling) leading to a volunteer feeling “violated!” I think that from this activity, everyone in that room learned a valuable lesson: Compromising is the key!

After a very informative, yet fun weekend, it was time to say goodbye. We parted with exclaims of “Next time I see you...we’ll be in Africa!”

The weekend to me was enjoyable and made me understand the reality of where I was going. I know that I will have lots of fun, make many new friendships and above all, overcome challenges that most people would never dream of encountering.

Only 86 sleeps left... and counting!
By Bridget McKinn - TANZANIA 2011
Check out the more information on Tanzania here.


When my alarm went off at 4am I was convinced that nothing in the world was worth being up at this hour of the morning. But I’m so glad I rolled out of bed to greet one of the most eye-opening weekends of my life! We had facebook-stalked each other for months, but now was the time to finally meet the girls I’d be spending the most challenging 3 months of my life, volunteering in Ghana.

I have never been so grateful for the ease of face-to-face contact. Suddenly worries, and questions and travel arrangements were just a matter of throwing an idea over the dinner table, instead of typing out endless messages and patiently waiting for replies. The back to back lessons were draining, but counteracted by the sheer amount of food that kept popping up in the dining quarters.

After two intensive days, I left the course with a book full of furiously scribbled notes, and my heart pounding with anticipation and excitement for the months to come. There’s paperwork, there’s online researching, there are deposits and bookings made – but nothing made it so real as physically seeing Sophie Lander (the elusive email phantom) and proudly pulling on an antipodeans t-shirt that would soon become a staple of my wardrobe.

Nothing will quite compare to the experience of teaching a class of 18 year olds what an apple is. Well, we will have to wait and see.

“See you in Ghana”
ANNA GRAHAM - GHANA
Check out more information on Ghana here.

Josh visits students in South America

When the opportunity arose to visit Peru and Argentina I was stoked that it came my way, it’s funny how quickly you can make everyone jealous when you mention you are off on a quick trip to South America! Fortunately I’d travelled through both Peru and Argentina before but that was nearly 10 years ago so I was excited by the prospect of returning to see how things had changed, to meet some of the Antips travellers on the ground (in their natural habitat) and to see if my Spanish was still functional!

So after a few long flights I arrived with a UniBreak team into Cusco, Peru (the former heart of the Incan empire and gateway to Macchu Piccu.) We touched down on a clear and crisp morning where we were met by our in country partner and whisked away to meet the locals and try some of the famous tea. Sadly, I couldn’t linger and had only a few days in the area but it was time well spent with visits to some of the local communities we have worked with in the past and will in the future, scattered in and around Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The locals are amazing, incredibly welcoming and thoroughly embrace the Antips travellers and the energy and skills that they bring. It was lovely to have the chance to meet with our GapBreak and UniBreak students on the ground in Peru. I was very impressed by the strong level of Spanish amongst many of our volunteers and the great work ethic and enthusiasm that they showed.

As I began my voyage home I had a half day in Lima (the capital and largest city in Peru) to visit a project on the outskirts of the city for an Expedition team that is visiting in September. Although my visit to Lima was only brief I really enjoyed my time there – I understand why it has earned a reputation as a city of contradictions. From the poor indigenous communities who are flocking to the dusty outskirts of Lima in search of work (where even taxi drivers are afraid to travel) to the incredibly wealthy and opulent suburbs along the Pacific coastline where people jog along the beach with their poodles and paraglide in the afternoons. Lima certainly is an interesting place.

My next, and final visit, was to Buenos Aries the capital and largest city in Argentina. BA is an incredibly beautiful city – a European city in the heart of South America and an incredible place to spend a couple of days on the way back to Australia. The GapBreak students I met with in BA were in fine spirits and thoroughly enjoying their time in Argentina. I travelled with a number of them to the villas (shanty towns of sorts - on the outer limits of Buenos Aries) to work with some of the local children in an after school care program that looks to be making a real difference and is such an incredible and unique experience for our travellers. It was a humbling afternoon - as I was helping a few of the young kids with their homework (as best I could in Spanish) I was afforded some perspective on life and just how good many of us have it in Australia ... I also realised that my Spanish (and math skills) were not as polished as I remember! Something thankfully which I had a chance to change with a few Spanish language films and Sudoku on my short 15 hour return flight to Sydney.

By Josh Owen - GapBreak Operations Manager

New Global Education Program

The Global Education internship program is a new professional program based in China. Different from volunteer programs, this is a program that allows international students in Australia to gain meaningful work experience in China. With global interest in China increasing, both Chinese local and multinational companies are coveting graduates with international experience. Antipodeans works closely with over 150 companies including 500 Fortune companies in Beijing and Shanghai to provide a clear career path and potential for permanent employment after the internship.

Testimonials
"The Global Education internship program helped me find the internship with LehmanBrown in Shanghai. It saved me a lot of time and efforts. I have developed effective interpersonal, communication skills, and team work skills through this internship. Antipodeans contacted me regularly to ensure everything went smoothly. I will definitely recommend this program to my friends. It was such an excellent experience."
- Yang Liu, Auditing, LehmanBrown, Shanghai

"My internship was with Sohu.com, China’s most popular internet portal that serves millions of users every day. Working in this company was not just a privilege, but also an eye opener for me. As a graduate from Macquarie University, I found it very hard to find work. After this internship, I was offered a job at an international company in Beijing and worked in web development. This program really helped me start my career." 
- Jonathan Wong, Web development, SOHU.COM, Beijing



“During my time at CRI, I have established good connections with my colleagues. With the support of CRI and the in-country agent, I was able to integrate smoothly into with the Chinese working life, sometimes working overtime on weekends to meet deadlines as well as participating in their annual swimming competition. I have thoroughly enjoyed the internship and through it, I have gained a better understanding of my future career direction.” 
- Lisa Liu, Online English Department at China Radio International, Beijing

Info Nights
There are regular Global Education Information Nights held in Sydney, with the next on the 18th of May. Free workshops in different universities are ongoing throughout the year. Over 100 students attended the UTS workshop last week, which was a fantastic success. These sessions are great opportunities for students to get more information about our Global Education internship program and ask questions directly to staff members.

Applications
To apply for a Global Education placement in China students need to follow the following steps. Students need to send in their resume, cover letter and a photo to June Yue on june@antipodeans.com.au. An Antipodeans staff member will be in contact shortly for a telephone interview. Students can then choose their preferred location between Beijing and Shanghai for a 4 to 24 weeks internship in their area of interests. Applications are opening now for both the winter holidays (June -July) and summer break (December - February).

Antips Staff Hit the Road

Local kids on the beach in Vanuatu

As part of providing researched and sustainable projects for Antips volunteers, our staff members often visit destinations first hand to gather information and get a feel for a particular project.

Over the last month Colin, Danielle and Joe all did just this, and headed off to research potential projects in Mauritius, Vanuatu and parts of South East Asia. All have now returned home to Sydney with glowing reviews of the locals and their communities in each country. Below is a quick wrap up from each trip.

Danielle Bukovinsky
Vanuatu
After a few years discussing the possibility to include Vanuatu as one of our destinations, I finally had the opportunity to visit and research the opportunities that it could offer Antipodeans, Abroad. I wasn’t disappointed. In 2007, Vanuatu was voted as being the “happiest” country in the world and it is easy to see why. The people are amongst the friendliest I’ve met with big welcoming smiles and a laid back sense of island time!

Freshwater grotto in Vanuatu

Local kids in Vanuatu

Much of time was spent on Rah Island in the Banks group of islands located in the far northern TORBA Provence. This is a very special place, rich in Melanesian culture and unique customs from the region. The small island of Rah and the nearby “mainland” of Mota Lava will offer great opportunities for our Expedition & World Tours programs where Teams could be involved in building and renovation programs to improve the local community co-operative and hall and assist in building a much needed kindergarten on the island.

The Banks Island group also offers potential for our GapBreak and UniBreak programs where students could be placed in the local English or French schools on a teaching placement, or in the local Medical Post on Mota Lava to assist with outpatient clinics, antenatal and prenatal clinics, family planning and health education. There is also the potential for environmental and conservation projects, as well as facilitating a drop in centre for school leavers to educate them in mechanics, carpentry, traditional cooking and weaving techniques.

The remote location of Rah and Mota Lava, means you are a world away from things we take for granted. There are only four vehicles on the island, more often only two are road worthy. Most people walk or use traditional outrigger canoes. There is no electricity, no email, no shops, and very few tourists. There is however a welcoming string band, men’s and women’s custom dancing, sand drawings, traditional fishing, island reefs to explore with a colourful underwater world, endless white sand beaches and fantastic sunsets to watch and ponder the important things in life! Watch the website for the inclusion of Vanuatu as a destination you can travel to.

Joe Lodge
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam
It was great to get back to South East Asia, it’s been a few years! I loved it. Not only the weather, but the food, the friendly people, the ability to be able to travel so easily from place to place and just soak it all in.

It was fantastic to visit our existing projects and see what all our Expedition, GapBreak and UniBreak students have done in the past 12 months, and the progress they have made. I was also lucky enough to make some great contacts for new potential volunteer projects.

In particular, I visited some new teaching and medical placements on the Thailand/Burma border that looked worthwhile, and very sustainable to the local community. I was then able to drop into some community projects in various Cambodian and Thai village communities, that would work well for our school Expedition program. These villages had no tourists and were definitely a highlight of my trip. My last stop was to visit some fantastic new GapBreak projects in the beautiful islands of southern Thailand, and get involved in some water activities!

To be able to access to these amazing communities, that the normal back-packer doesn’t go to, was a real pleasure for me. To sum it up? Great kids to meet, fantastic small local schools, the elephant sanctuaries, amazing food, stunning beaches and really fun and friendly people. I loved it all.

Colin Carpenter
Mauritius
Mauritius is a fascinating mix of Indian, African and French cultures. French is the predominant language amongst educated Mauritians but Creole is spoken by Afro-Indian locals. English is spoken as a second language. After meeting with three local NGO's, all involved with reef and sea animal conservation, I came to the conclusion that this would be a fantastic placement for our Antipodeans students.

The sea animal conservation project involves dolphin and whale watching, with the local organisation equipped with their own speed boat with professional driver. Students could go out on the boats Mon-Thurs, following the commercial tourist dolphin-watching boats and get up close and personal with dolphins. The aim is to observe, and record the dolphins and whale activities.

There are a range of exciting opportunities in this beautiful area for Antipodeans students – a very worthwhile trip indeed!

Welcome to Argentina! Gappers arrive in Buenos Aires

Photo: View from balcony of the student residence

After being delayed at the airport for a few hours, thanks to Sydney's
torrential rain, we finally made it into the air! The flight which was in
reality 13 hours, didn't feel too bad, except for when we landed and
realised exactly how jet lagged we would all be!

After paying our way into the country, clearing customs and somehow navigating a non - English speaking airport, we found our transfers and were bundled into various cars. Shocked by the realisation that in Argentina, they drive on the other side
of the car, and on the other side of the road, we were rapidly driven,
Argentinian style to our Student Residence. And it is huge! Beautiful
architecture and soooo many stairs! We were assigned rooms and cupboards and
begun to learn about the place we're calling home for the next few months.

Then starving as we all were, we decided to go and explore Buenos Aires,
trying to find ATM's to withdraw money, cafe's to grab something to eat and
credit to contact home. Being split up and unable to navigate half of us
wound up at a small pizza restaurant, where we were sung to by old men and
couldn't read the Spanish menu. After sort of, half ordering and chowing
down, we made it back to the residence, with a little help!

Exhausted, we all collapsed infront of the TV, numb to whatever was actually
happening. By 8pm, we'd all had it, and tried to get some sleep for whatever
the following day would bring!

Ta, Sarah

Mitch plunges head first in Ecuador

Mitch is the Antipodeans blogger for his GapBreak Ecuador group. Our Ecuador Gappers arrived in Quito on the 24th of March.

Hola!

For everyone viewing this blog (mostly parents), I would like to warmly welcome you to this fortnightly slab of literature.

We finally arrived in Quito after a 33-hour journey travelling via New Zealand and Chile. We arrived late at night so we were unable to see the much anticipated view which we were promised on the descent into the marvelous city that is Quito. It was extremely strange and unfamiliar exiting the airport in a compleltey foreign and unknown country. It wasn´t anything like leaving the terminal at either Melbourne or Sydney airports. We exited the international customs and were met with staring Ecuadorian eyes all the way up the path to our smiling new families for the next 3 months. After being greeted by Marcelo and Anita, Asta and I went to our new home with Anita, while Kate, Mich, and Sam left to theirs with Marcelo. I´m not sure about the others, but our first car trip home was the first of many eye openers - we drove home through many abandoned streets, children playing on the footpaths at 10 o´clock at night, stray dogs roaming the dark alley ways, and seedy looking bus stops.

The next few days were used to adapt to the altitude (we all succeeded apart from Sam) and recover from jet lag, as well as explore the city. The five of us ventured into the highly acclaimed ´old town´ on Sunday to have a wander. Our first stop was the Basilica Church - now, not being a religious man myself, i can admit i was not as excited as the others. However, upon viewing the architectural gem that is the Basilica, and especially after learning we could go up to the top of it, my mind was changed (because of the fact we could go up the top of it, not because i had some new found religious belief of any kind). After climbing several, extremely questionable sets of ladders, to say the view was spectacular would be an understatement. The way the city of Quito was laid out in front and around us was unbelievable.

In the absence of high sky rises and shiny buildings, it felt like you could see the whole city. After descending down the ladders, and taking some celebrity shots with some school girls on a field trip, we made our way to a nice park which i unfortunately cannot remember the name of. Like a moth to a flame, we rented what you could only call them as dodgem cars with wheels, after previously seeing kids in them scooting around the park. For 20 cents for 20 minutes, we roamed the park in our little cars (powered by pedals) looking like absolute fools. But we realised that is the beauty of being in a foreign city - you can really do whatever you want (be/look as stupid as you want), because NO ONE knows who you are.

Following the weekend we began our first batch of Spanish classes which ran from Tuesday through till Friday, which were a struggle to say the least. So yeah...

Anyways, after Spanish class on Friday we spontaneously decided to spend the weekend in the nearby town of Otavalo - a peaceful little town 2 hours out of Quito by bus, home to the most heralded and sought after indigenous markets of South America.

Saturday morning we awoke at 8:30am, walked out of our hostel and were met with thousands (you´d think i´m exaggerating but i do not lie, there were thousands) of stalls selling all sorts of handicrafts and whatnot. We spent all day wandering the little Quechuan stalls (Quechua are native Ecuadorians), and like typical youths, were sucked in by the cunning persuasive skills of the Quechuan´s, thus spending pretty much all the money we brought with us. After reading that last sentence, you parentals are probably shaking your heads and exhaling due to the fact that i said we spent all the money we brought with us. Well, we did. But don´t be so disappointed with us - "you need to be saaaaving", "be responsible with your money"! - we actually spent most of the day looking for presents for you guys because you´re so bloody hard to buy for! Yeah, here come the smiles....

The next day we caught a cab (what lonely planet claimed to be 4km but i am going to write to inform them it was actually 7km) up to a viewpoint know as "El Lechera". El Lechera, as it is locally know as, is a so called magic tree. We took many lefts and rights up the hill which made us think the taxi driver was taking us somewhere we didn´t want to go, but we finally came to what we were searching for. Situated on top of a grassy mound, was sitting an old, wavy curvy looking kinda tree. I think a better way to explain it would be a freaky possessed old lady´s demented hand as she is pointing at you casting some sort of enchantment over you. Nevertheless, it did look "magical".

And there ended our trip to Otavalo. And i would just like to say that my description of the tree is most likely incorrect as i do not have a picture of it handy.

Monday indicated the start of the real reason why we, your beloved children, are in Ecuador - volunteering. At 7am Kate, Mich and Sam took two buses to there placement, while me and Asta went to our placement, Escuaela de Union Sovieteca. I haven´t mentioned the name of the other´s school as i was notified they would be here with me when i wrote this but they are unfortunately not.

Anyways..

Our first week of teaching at our schools was, a mixture of things. From speaking with everyone, plus my own experience, the general jist can be described with these words - fun, scary, frustrating, rewarding, new, eye-opening, tiring, surprising, anger, challenging, and finally, laughter. Pretty big variety, yeah? Of course with little to none experience of teaching English in a foreign country, we are going to experience all these things, which we are of course not opposed to. Frustrating and anger aside, the kids are great. They always want to play with you (tiring, fun) and the words that come out of their mouths put a smile on your face (rewarding, surprising, laughter).

Finishing our volunteer duties for the week on Thursday, being terribly homesick missing our coastal lives back home we took a 10hour bus ride that night to a place on the coast called Manta, en route to our final destination of Canoa. We arrived in Manta at around 7am Friday, jumped into a cab, and drove almost 2 hours to the sweet as chilled out beach town of Canoa. Having missed the Australian sun and ocean immensely the past two weeks, we checked in to our hotel named "Hotel Bambu", and quickly ducked down to the beach. When i say to the beach, the hotel is on the beach. So yeah it was awesome. The water was 25 degrees, which Kate, Asta and i welcomed very much being from the chilly waters of Victoria. We spent the day chilling out, and pretty the much the whole weekend. That night however, i ate a bad bowl of spag bol, subsequently emptying out my stomach for a bit late at night. But you know, in the words of Forrest Gump - i´m not really sure the boundaries on language for this blog, so i won´t say but i´m quite confident you all know the two words, the last being "happens", that i was going to say....

sorry if that last sentence doesnt really make sense.

On Sunday morning, Kate, Asta and I took a 30 minute drive out of Canoa to the Rio Muchacho Organic Farm. The farm is run by a friendly New Zealand women and her Ecuadorian husband. We were met by a friendly American girl from Montana named Emma. Whilst waiting for two more people to begin the tour of the farm, Emma showed us how to make chocolate from scratch, which was really cool. We were then taken around the farm being taught about their aim and everything they do.

We returned to Canoa to meet Sam and Mich lying in the hammocks next to the hammock which Mich had broken the day before childishly swinging vigorously on it. We then jumped on a bus to a nearby town called Bahia, got into a bit of a tussle with an Ecuadorian couple regarding taxi rights, drove 2 hours back to Manta, and waited 5 hours for our 9pm bus back to Quito.

So that has been our first two weeks here in our new home of Quito. Please excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes as i´m in an internet cafe and i´ve gotta be quick due to the rapidly increasing internet cost.

So for now, from all of us,

Adios!

Mitch Downey