I was browsing my blog and started looking my old drafts that I never published. This was from 2009. I somehow forgot to publish it and it definitely needs to be published. Sad I never did. I am leaving it the exact same as when I wrote it a few years ago, plus I'm adding a few extra photos that I feel need to be included.
At the beginning of the summer (2009) I went with Choice Humanitarian to Bolivia. We worked in a village for a week helping build a water system. I have been on many expeditions in the past with Choice and this was my second time to Bolivia. The first time was 5 or 6 years ago and I went with my dad, brothers, uncle Mark and cousins. This time was a student expedition. Josh and Brynn came with me. I love working with Choice because I love their philosophy's. I love having the villages come together to create something for themselves and being able to be a small part of that.
The woman in these villages are amazing. They are extremely motivated, and can work harder than anyone. It gives you a stronger appreciation for everything that we have, and everything that we don't have to do every day!
The majority of the time that we were there we were helping them dig a ditch to lay the pipe in. Mostly they were putting us to shame because we couldn't pic ax like them. They thought it was funny watching us try to pic at the hard rock. I felt like I was getting no where most the time, but they did this all the time.
I stuck to shoveling. It was easier and so I could be much more help that way.
During the finishing/goodbye celebration I got to dance with the village men and get confetti thrown all over me. They are always really fun to experience.
After we left the village we spent a few days traveling around Bolivia with the group. It was fun spending time with everyone we just met after we were done working. I loved everyone we went with and hopefully will stay good friends with them now. One of my favorite parts about traveling is the different people you meet. Its something that most people never experience. But traveling with people you don't know, to places you have never been, meeting more people you don't know, I think is one of the greatest experiences you can have. I love meeting people who are different from me and finding out what they do, what's important to them, etc. Its hard to explain to people that have never done it; but if you have never gone to a foreign place with new people, you should go, and stay in hostels with other travelers. You will remember it forever. I think its important to experience and will help you become a more diverse person.
When we were done with the group we ended up traveling around Peru. We spent a few days first in Cuzco and then went up to Machu Picchu. Getting to Machu Picchu turned out to be quite an experience. The trains were closed the days we wanted to go making it really difficult to get there. We ended up staying in Ollyantantambo on a wim with none of our stuff and heading to Machu Picchu empty handed. I think that made the trip that much more of an experience. This was my second time going to Machu Picchu but it was as spectacular as ever. The train ride into Aguas Calientes is one of my favorite parts. The steap mountain sides with the river down the middle is amazing. Aguas Calientes is one of my favorite cities.
We also enjoyed messing around in Lima and going to all the museums and little shops. I am sucker for all their purses and hats. It was great being able to shop and relax for a few days in Lima. It is such a weird city, but I still really like it. We stayed in Lion Backpackers which is a pretty fun hostel if you ever need a place to stay. Its got young people from all over the place staying there, and its in the nicer part of the city.
I know I said I was leaving this post the same but I want to add how happy I am that I was able to go on so many adventures like this with Brynn. It is something I will never forget, and will always be thankful for. She was the best travel companion and would always be up for my adventures. I could always count on her to be up for anything and everything. She made every trip twice as exciting by being so funny and adding much needed humor to situations. She would get the entire group laughing all the time even though they'd just met her.
In order for Brynn to go on this trip she sold a ton of baked goods that she made. She was endlessly baking cookies and rice crispy treats and selling them all over the place. I love that Brynn never had excuses for why she couldn't go places. If she wanted it, she would make it happen. It was the best. I never had to worry about her doing the usual, I really want to go, but... I knew that if she wanted to come she'd make it happen, if she didn't, she wouldn't. She had the same philosophy as me when it came to vacations and if she wanted to go she would no matter how she had to do it. I love that she was action oriented and wanted to try everything and experience everything. It's been almost a year, and I think about her and miss her everyday. Brynn, your the best.
Brynn and Josh would always take lots of cheesy couples photos on our trips, she loved them because she thought they were so funny, but she hated when we'd post all the trip pictures because she was worried people would think they were dating because of how many there were.
They really are so funny.
Brynn and I were really color coordinated and we have no idea why we did that to ourselves.
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