Angus in Ecuador

Gday compadres



Its been a while since I last emailed but Ive been doing stuff so get off my back.

Since my last email weve had Christmas, new years and been to the amazon.

We also had a Mariachi band play for Dans birthday which was pretty awesome.

For Christmas we went to the beach. We had a 12 hour bus ride to Montanita which was ok for me because I slept pretty much the whole way but the others didnt enjoy it too much.
We spent the few days sleeping to midday then going to the beach for the rest of the day before going out. It was a really relaxed town with nothing but surf shops and bars. Christmas day was weird because we didnt do anything Christmassy but it was still cool. My spanish was put to shame one night when I thought I was buying something for 3 dollars but when Hannah gave him a 10 dollar note he didnt give her change and Hannah was like yeah he said dies and wont let me live it down. We were going to hire a surfboard the last day but the swell was too flat for us hardcore big wave riders so we didnt bother. On the bus ride home it was a two tour shorter bus ride than it should have been due to some crazy driving which Kara still wont shut up about cos shes a nervous wreck even with normal ecuadorian driving.

New Years was really good here because they have all these crazy traditions. During the day we had to make an effigy from clothes and newspaper and then at 12 we poured petrol all over it, set it alight and then jumped over it for good luck. You also had to eat 12 grapes on the 12 minnutes before the new year and make wishes and do this thing where you run around with bags so you will travel in the next year. Rositas daughter Priscilla was very insistent on this one tradition with underwear. You have to get changed in to two pairs of underwear 10 minutes before midnight so the girls when shopping for underwear they came back with some decent enough red ones but the yellow ones looked like they were lasses and were way way to tight. They also had loads of fireworks going off which were cool as and there were fire Works going off all around us cos they are legal here.

After new years we went to the Amazon which was cool as. On the 12 hour bus ride there I was busting for a slash (just for Cilicia and Jasmine) so I went to the toilet on the bus. I tried to lock the door but evidently wasnt very successful as we hit a bump and I hit the door it flew open and I was thrown into the aisle which was quite exciting and caused a bito f a laugh. After catching a few different buses we got to a river where had a three hour boat ride down to where we were staying. It was a pretty nice place with wooden huts and no electricity. There were 6 of us Dan, Hannah, Kara, two americans, Alice (another Australian) and a lad from Hong Kong but who studies in Sydney whose named Jeremy but me and Goose immediately changed his name to Jezza. Jezza and Kara were terrible at night because they freaked at the wildlif in our rooms such as cockroaches, spiders and frogs. I also walked in to the wrong hut one night and the incides look exactly the same. I was searching for my torch for ages when I heard movement in one of the beds and I was like, ‘you in bed already Jez?’ and the response was a sheepish ‘üm I think youre in the wrong hut’. I met them the next day they were some nice enough Dutch girls.

On hikes and boat rides we saw Sloths, monkeys, river dolphins, and stacks of other animals. The watching stuff was all well and good but i preferid doing stuff which Goose couldnt understand. The boat got stuck in mud in the river with Caimans (like crocs) in it and I got out to help the guide push the boat without even thinking. The Guide was a legend named Diego he taught us how to make traps which was really cool and he climbed a tree just using this root he cut off a tree tied around his legs. I had a crack at it and jumped up and could hola onto the tree but couldnt move any higher.

We went swimming in the river which was really good fun but the next day we went Piraña fishing right next to where we went swimming the day befote and caught loads which was pretty funny. Goose caught loads of Piranas whereas I didnt catch any I didnt let him no it was only because as a master fisherman I felt smalltime fishing was below me. On the last night the staff at the lodge and Diego lit a fire just using pieces of wood from the Jungla. Me Dan and Alice attempted to Light it after them. Dan and Alice were dead wood and I was clearly carrying the team. Even with my talents after half an hour we had blisters and smoke but that was it.

I really loved it but I think the others were glad to get back to showers and animal free rooms.

Weve also been working now and then which has been alright but there hasnt been too many kids at the orphanage so it hasnt been as good.

Yesterday I bought some more Ray Bans as patty G wanted some. As the pairs I was buying were ultra deluxe authentic Ray Bans the guy was asking for 10 bucks a pair. I told him he was dreaming and got him down to two for 8 dollars. (I had to let you know how good I really am at bargaining after my tres/deis tragedy).

My spanish is slowly improving and I can have small conversations with barman (who turn out to speak English but only once the girls came in) and on nights out but are then laughed at the next day when Goose recalls my shocking Spanish to the local lasses to the others.

I thought I was leaving this Sunday with the others but after just checking my iteniary it turns out Im here until next Thursday so I wont be in LA with Kara anymore but Ill now be in LA at the same time as Pete which should be good.

Adios amigos,

Mav ‘the Caiman hunter’ Smith

Wanniassa School - In HCMC

The last week has been really busy.

In Hue, we visited some Imperial Tombs and a Pagoda. The 3 tombs were really fascinating, and all of them had really unique features about them. One of the group's favourite's was filled with relics and the walls were decorated with mosaics that looked like flowerpots and vines. Also, we went to the Citadel, which was really beautiful, and it was a lot of fun walking around and reading lots of information. We learnt about which rooms were used for what purpose, and about different rituals and customs of the emperors. The Pagoda was beautiful as well.

Next, we spent 2 days in Hoi An. We all visited different tailors around the city and got some clothes made, like dresses, jackets, suits and shoes. We also went to see the Japanese Friendship Bridge, and it was really pretty.

We all really enjoyed going to the Red Bridge cooking school! We split up into groups of 6 and 8, and we all travelled by boat to the cooking school further down the river. Each group got a seperate outdoor area and chef, and we learnt how to make Fresh Spring Rolls, Hoi An Vietnamese Pancakes, and Traditional Eggplant Soup/Curry.

At the moment, we're all a bit tired from the early flight to Ho Chi Minh city this morning, and we spent today looking around the city and visiting the
War Remnants Museum. It was really graphic but also very interesting, and we all really enjoyed learning about the Vietnam War.

From
The Wanniassa Team

Dom's UniBreak experiences in Lonavala - the stories continue....

Last week in India by Dom



We are reaching week seven and I feel a little more relaxed as the projects that we set out to achieve have finally been put into place. These include:
painting the school
Setting up Child sponsorship with the Lions Club in Australia to be chanelled to India (thanks for advice safeena)
Completing the greeting card project to raise money for the school
Conducting interviews with Shatish Moon (school Co-ordinator) to play on Australian radio and further fund raise for the school
Establishing networks in Oz to assist with the posible formation of NGO
Doing an overview of the school to assist in fundraising
Completing a funding submission for school etc.

I have found this to be most rewarding, and as previously stated, I have found working with 'Little Buddah Natural School' to be the highlight of the trip; and much more interesting, exciting and wonderful than even seeing ancient monuments such as the Taj Mahal; This may be because of the fact that the school is in the 'present' in a sens and not historical ... altho who is to define such things ...

I Have enjoyed the placement immensely... when leaving the school on friday I realised that I will miss these kids significantly when I finally go, and I will also miss the freindly faces at Lonavala market place and the students I am currently working with... I truly believe I could not have came with a nicer group of people ...

I found visiting Delhi a little sad as many people live on a very small wage, while others sleep on the streets, etc and I find this kind of oppression saddening to see ... esp in relation to the effect it has on families ... people that work often can not return home but just send back their money and see their family rarely while others can not afford to support their children, and partners, This I find very sad ... however a fighting overcoming spirit is shared by many people in India which I hope to intergrate in my life when returning to the West.

My friend Emma spent two nights in hospital and I was quite worried about her, but she seems ok now; she unfortunately missed new years eve at the hotel which was a memorable event, I hope to remain in contact with the school and hopefully safeena as I would like to come back one day, maybe next year.

It is possible to set up free blankets for the school children over here with a contact back in Oz; and I would like to talk to Safeena about this further, and maybe antipodeans, as I have had favourable reception within the school re this possibility.

Overall India has been a great experience, and has shaped my perspective in relation to what is important in my life; I recommend coming here to anyone interested in a change of pace and perspective;

Deakin University in India

An update from our in-country agent....



The group has been split as follows:
- Dominic, Amanda and Singgih: at the Natural Buddha School. It is a residential school for orphans, and street children who are brought in from railway stations, street corners etc. Because the children have been on the streets most of their lives or have not had any schooling the emphasis is more on art, playing, learning through games etc and then adding literacy as they get ready for more formal education. The volunteers have been doing really well at this facility. Dominic takes his guitar with him and the kids love him! Amanda and Singgih are good at pretending to be animals making sounds to help them learn about nature. They do a lot of singing and dancing and work there from 10:30 to 4:00 every day. Dominic has also started to help them make sponsorship profiles for all the kids so that they can get donors to sponsor individual kids. Amanda and Singgih have been making greeting cards that we have been distributing to our list for New Years. We spent about Rs5000 on materials and the orphanage produced 500 cards that were sold for Rs 25,000! Plus they have raised donations from the card distribution and raised almost Rs 40,000 that will go towards making toilets for the children. Dominic is very interested in staying involved with the project even when he gets back and help them with fundraising. He wants to set up an organization in Australia to be able to do this.

- Emma, Stephanie and Micheala are at Kamshet Orphange: They are teaching there. The kids are all ages and the orphanage has about 50 boys from the Kashmir border area. These kids have been orphaned due to Militancy and terrorism in the area. The school is one of the poorest in the area. Emma and the girls really see the need here. The organization does not have funds to hire an English teacher and rely completely on volunteers to teach English to the kids. They have two teachers for all the other subjects for the rest of the school. The volunteers have had some adjustment issues here initially as it is a Muslim school and they are strict regarding making sure everyone covers up. No sleeveless shirts, shorts etc. But they realize how much the children need them and how they are of real value to the project! Stephanie and Michaela have worked really hard and painted three classrooms in this school.

- Rohini and Kelly: Takwe Government School: They are at a typical government school in a small village! It is probably representative of 90% of Indian schools as they are in rural areas. It is a small school with 2-3 teachers. The volunteers were thrown in to teach as soon as they arrived! They found their feet pretty fast. Like all government schools the teachers are not really interested in teaching and most of the time one or two are absent. So the volunteers have quite a lot of responsibility on them. They are fully in charge of their classrooms and the kids. They teach and play a lot of games with the children. They are a huge hit with the village and have probably been invited into every home for tea, food in the area!

During the Christmas week all the volunteers decided to do a joint project. They decided to paint the classrooms in the Kamshet orphanage and the entire school at Natural Buddha school. The whole group collected money for paint and supplies and they washed, cleaned the rooms and painted for that entire week. While they painted it was decided that Angela and Erin would teach in their classrooms so that the teaching could still go on. It was a huge success!

UniBreak in Nepal!

Namaste!



Namaste!

So I'm here living in Kathmandu now experiencing Nepali culture first hand. In fact I've learned to say much more than just Namaste. The organisation who are looking after us over here are pretty awesome and teaching us a lot about being Nepali before we head off to the remote village (Nirmal Pokhari) on the 7th of Jan.

It was pretty amazing flying in and getting a glimpse of the Himalayas above the clouds. They aren't visible from Kathmandu, but apparently they'll be amazing views in Nirmal Pokhari. Once Anna and I arrived in Kathmandu we were greeted by Asim and his wife and a few of the other volunteers from Aus who I'm getting to know pretty well. It really is a good bunch of people, with most of us being complete strangers only a few days ago. We've even recruited 2 poms too.

As for my first impression of Kathmandu, it's a pretty different place to anywhere else in the world. Traffic in Mongolia or Bangkok don't even compare. The streets, if yo ucan call them that, are busy with little tiny suzuki swift style cars, bikes, trucks, buses, pedestrians, stray dogs and huge potholes. So it's been an adventure just getting around, especially squeezin in 4 big boys into the back seat of these miniature cars. But walking around without being hit is even better. The place is pretty damn dusty and polluted, but it gives it its character and has given me an annoying persistent cough every afternoon so far. Oh and did I mention that it is quite chilly, with some nights being absolutely freezing. And yeah, only one hot shower so far, this morning was freezing cold water. But the guest house we are staying in is alright.

We've done a couple of cool things so far, basically our first few days have consisted of language classes, lunch with a new type of Nepali food, a bit more class then sightseeing. We visited the monkey temple yesterday which was just a temple with great views over the city and heaps of monkeys. Then today we visited another large temple on the other side of the city and also a place where the Hindus cremate bodies. However, the sight of a dead body wasn't the best thing to see. It was an experience, I give it that.

Night time has been pretty cool too actually. It was Anna's 21st yesterday so we had dinner at Asim's house which is 5 stories and pretty damn nice. Then we wandered the streets in search of a bar called the Funky Buddha. Eventually we found out and drank a few nepali cocktails with 3 shots in them for about $4 AUD, not bad at all. The dance floor then called and we tore it up as we welcomed random Nepalis into our circle and took up the whole area. Great times. Tonight we're gonna hit it up again actually, should be good.

Lastly a few weird things. They're customs are still a bit bizarre and we're picking them up slowly. Like eating food with your RIGHT hand and not being Jhuto by contaminating other foods. Also, no hot water is gonna be real tricky and its not great when its already freezing in the morning. Squat toilets. Electricity dropping out at scheduled and other random times. The incredibly noisy streets from all the honking. The random hippy foreigners around. Being offered weed 4 times last night in such a short time span. And just learning to forget about your watch and not follow the time. I'm sure I'll be used to it soon, but it's only been 3 days.

Hope everyone is well back home. Keep enjoying the summer whilst I'm freezing over here and eating Dhal Bat.

Hawasta!

Ram (my new nepali name)

Wanniassa School - Update

We have been in SaPa for the last three days, trekking through the mountians.

It's been amazing. The views have been spectacular! To get there we took an over night train from Ha Noi to Lao Cia, ariving at 5:30am. It was hard to wake up that early, but we were all really excited. After a quick breakfast we began our trek followed by local 'sale-ladies'. We had lunch every day at small 'reststops' where our local guide cooked for us. Over the two day we walked about 30km, most of which was steep up hill or very steep downhill! We were lucky enought to have sun for the first time of the trip! Which was awesome because we were in the coldest part of the trip (we still need our thermals for bedtime though!). We stayed in two villiages with local families (the first homestay, we had AMAZING food).

The trek was fantastic! We ALL enjoyed it... David says hi... THE END!

More from Jo in Peru

Festivities in Peru!



Just another update and i have finally found time to send some pics too. Katy and I have just returned from the Inca trail and it was incredible! we are totally exhausted but the experience was unforgettable. Christmas eve in the Plaza was another crazy experience. The plaza was like a peruvian mosh pit and we spent like every sol in our accounts. opps! Tomorrow is New years eve. So happy New Years to Antipodeans in Sydney. Katy , Laura and I are planning a night in the plaza , which apparently is just madness.