Fernweh

[Deutscher Text nach dem Video] In today’s GVN blog they shared a film by a young guy who went to Jacmel (where the GVN volunteers are located) and had a look at the situation there. Honestly, actually seeing the place and the people I’ll be spending two months with gave me goosebumps. Is it horribly [...]

[Deutscher Text unten] Last week I sent in the payment for my two months in Haiti, so now it’s time to start putting together lists, making sure I’ll have everything I need. For someone who’s led such a pampered life, sleeping in a tent on concrete floor for two months, in the heat with mosquitoes [...]

On January 12, 2010, the earthquake devastated Port au Prince and surrounding areas of what was already one of the poorest country in the world. This week was the six month mark, and while international attention predictably waned in the past months, the ‘anniversary’ brought back some of the spotlight – and it’s much needed! [...]

[Deutscher Text unten] Doesn’t feel long at all… I’ve been encountering a lot of support – thanks so much, guys! What’s pretty cool is that I’ve made contact with someone who’ll be in my volunteer group. That’s the beauty of Twitter… I’m sure as time gets closer, I’ll meet more of my team mates. I’m [...]

[Deutscher Text unten] My volunteer time in Haiti is still several months away (I’m signed up October 14 – December 14), but thanks to volunteer coordinator Kathryn for giving me my own blog here! I’m currently in the process of hunting for the best flight – not a totally straightforward process, because I plan on [...]

Haiti has suddenly become much more real – I received the confirmation email from Global Volunteer Network that my placement will begin on October 15, 2010. Oh boy… I would like to congratulate you on confirming your place in the Haiti Volunteer Program for 1 month starting 15th October 2010. You may now go ahead [...]

For the past weeks I have been coming to a decision about what I will do once I leave my job here in Zurich – and when the news about the horrific earthquake in Haiti came, it struck me that, instead of trying to find another job, I could go and volunteer somewhere where it’s [...]

With my internet finally working at full speed again, I can share the photos I took since I left home, starting with the two weeks with Bronwyn in San Jose. Click to access the photo album on Flickr: #flickr_badge_source_txt {padding:0; font: 11px Arial, Helvetica, Sans serif; color:#666666;} #flickr_badge_icon {display:block !important; margin:0 !important; border: 1px solid [...]

Just had my first overseas Skype conversation with my whole family – even my host sister Ale from Bolivia joined in at the end. Fun! It’s really quite funny that they’re 12 hours behind in Switzerland – they had just sat down for Saturday dinner when I called, while I’m now going to eat Sunday [...]

This afternoon I’m leaving California – Bronwyn and I just came home from lunch with Molly and her husband Jon, and Jon’s going to drive me to the airport in a little while (thank you!). This morning we went to the mall so I could buy a DVD, a journal and two pairs of tennis [...]