Monday, May 31, 2010

So expsensive to volunteer?

I've been thinking lately about adding to the list of 'things I want to do'.  Specifically, while I am in Brazil, hang gliding and surfing are amongst the adventure items on my list. 

But, as always, I can't help but think new places I want to see.  Hell, you travel halfway around the world (or in my case,  down into the Southern edition of my home continent); you should see some shit while you're there!  Originally, I was making up a 2 year plan (as in 2 years from now).  Ro and I really want to volunteer doing something GOOD.  Habitat for Humanity was what jumped out at me as being awesome, but I wanted to go to Asia, somewhere like Vietnam or Cambodia. 

I soon discovered that this would be financially impossible.  US$1550 just for the volunteer portion.  Not including the US$2000 flight from São Paulo.  Each. 

Then I started looking at areas closer to us, to (like I said) take advantage of where we are living.  Somewhere we could consider taking the bus or catching a much cheaper flight.   But....
Equador = US$1450
Brazil = $1550
Argentina = $1500

What the hell?  I can't afford that!  I am trying to offer MY services to YOU!  Not only can I not just simply 'volunteer' (work for free), I actually need to PAY to work for you?? Only in Backwards Land. 

The crazy thing is I still want to do it.  Jeez, it looks SO amazing.  But if I have to pay, I want to go somewhere different and awesome!  Ie. Cambodia.  Africa.  Even Equador. 

Buuuuuuuuuuuut that's just another thing to add to the 'list of things I want to do'.  Ro has always told me I have expensive taste....

2 comments:

  1. Umm...your story is the most awsome thing I've ever heard! I hope I meet some young stallion to sweep my off my feet and take me to his exotic home country! Anyway, I just stumbled across your blog and love it, can't wait to read more. I know what you mean about how ass backwards the pay to be a volunteer thing is. I did that while I was in Thailand at an elephant kraal. You should check it out actually I think you'd appreciate what's going on with that place. I publish a site about places to see in Southeast Asia. You should check it out, I just posted a bit on the ElephantStay (that's what it's called). Here's the link http://www.tikikiki.com lemme know what you think...

    Cheers,
    Kimberly

    ReplyDelete
  2. If you want to volunteer with children or youth, Casa do Caminho is free, however requires a 6 month commitment. The website is casadocaminho.org. Good luck with your volunteer search.

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