December 28th marked the end of my 18th trip around the sun. The day started out with exploration of the Kedogou gold mines, talking with people who migrated into the Kedogou region in search of gold and the different towns that have sprung up out......Read More
The group has been planning our Cordillera de los Frailes Trek and leaves Sucre tomorrow morning. Here is our tentative itinerary: Day 1: Mon, Jan 14 Leave Sucre at 6:30am and head to Chataquila Begin trek at Chataquila and walk to cave......Read More
We were already experiencing the chaos of Shilpgram long before we arrived – traffic to enter the fair was backed up several kilometers. Logan and I weaved our bikes through cars and scooties, walking them at times, and took shortcuts through......Read More
Selamat Ulang Tahun! Happy New Year! We had originally imagined that on December 31st, 2018 we would all be huddled together around a beach bonfire in a small corner of southeastern Sulawesi ringing in the New Year with stories and starlight. That......Read More
Hello friends and families, We have reached an exciting point in our nine-month journey here in Bolivia. In just a few days we will be setting off on our “winter” excursion. After a busy two week vacation of hiking to waterfalls, 5ks, secret......Read More
Last New Year’s Eve, I was watching Knightfall with Kiana Newman at my house in Stafford, Virginia. It was a very low-key and anti-climatic New Year’s celebration, and I had no idea what 2018 would bring. At this time last year, I knew I was......Read More
Happy New Year from the Dindefelo Plateau! We’ve spent the past week hiking through Bedick and Pulaar villages in the Kedougou region, and are concluding our time here – and celebrating the first days of 2019 – on the plateau just......Read More
In February, my homestay family is going to be one person larger. My sister-in-law, Mbak Rachma is having a baby! Last weekend, my whole family drove up to Rachmas hometown, Temanggung, in Central Java. Aside from it being a nice vacation, our......Read More
Hello all! We are very excited to share with you our itinerary for our winter excursion. We will not have reliable access to WiFi, but prepare to hear lots about our adventures once we are back in Dakar! Dec 26th-28th: We depart from Dakar for a......Read More
As promised here are some photos from our time in Solo. The photos give a glimpse of some of ours meals, a tour of the Kraton, and an all day hike between two ancient temples....Read More
HELLO WORLD! January is right around the corner, and this weekend, we are headed to the city of Dali 大理to launch into the New Year! The Dali region is known as the “cultural cradle” of Yunnan providence, and its history dates back to the......Read More
From citywide protests to road blockades in a small town, it is not uncommon to expect travel delays or even a temporary shutdown in the city; Bolivia is a country not unfamiliar to citizens voicing their opinions loudly. However, it is another......Read More
A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to celebrate Gamou – the birth of the prophet Mohammad- in the small spiritual community of Dene. The festivities involved many passionate late night praying, dancing, and chanting sessions. We also had......Read More
Dear Friends and Family, This is to confirm that the Bridge Year Indonesia students are safe and sound on their way back to Yogyakarta from Solo. They were far from the areas affected by today’s Sunda Strait tsunami, caused by a volcanic......Read More
