Ecuador: The Amazon

Students in the Amazon

Flor~

One important thing that people from Portland, and simply throughout the world, is that the Sarayacu are a very strong community base that is independent from the government yet they fight with all they can in order to preserve one of the few, and the biggest, patches of serene pure terrain. Regardless of anything they take up this responsibility to help us all around the globe, they find no burdain in this and they do it so unselfishly.

Thailand: Week Two

Laurel~

We are now in the village of Serine, which consists of only 85 families. The people here are so kind! They live a very mellow life and are very family oriented. The children help out willingly and people smile often. However, there are many cultural differences that make it difficult to be completely comfortable. Personally, the diet is not one that I am used to. Having never been around meat causes extra sensitivity to cooking smells. Showering and using the bathroom is very different too. The water is cold, but often feels good in the heat. It is hard to wash shampoo out of my hair with a bucket of water, and using a hose to wash my bum is very different too.

Thailand: First Week

Dean~

I joined the Pangaea project to get a global perspective and have gained so much more. Our trip has been based on a few topics. The topics are fair trade and labor and social justice. I was in the group that had the privilege to travel to Thailand. I wasn’t too sure of the program at first, because it sounded crazy. I was told I would be traveling to Thailand to live with fair trade rice farmers in Surin. To be honest I didn’t know what to expect from the whole thing, I thought it couldn’t be too hard and it wouldn’t change anything about me. This couldn’t have been further from the truth. I know everyone is probably wondering what I have done the last couple of weeks so here it is.

Thailand: Ayuthaya

Jo Jo & Nemo

Nemo~

We’re actually here…i cant believe it…we are in Thailand as I write this…We’ve been here for almost a week and it has been completely awesome. And I have Pangaea to thank for it. I mean if I hadnt signed up for and stayed a part of Pangaea I would just still be in Portland doing the same old same old. But im not and believe me, im happy about that.