"I can only advise everyone to embark on this adventure. Far too often you stay in your familiar surroundings or don't have the confidence to do something. I've learned that it's worth jumping over your own shadow."
Liv traveled to Guatemala for two and a half months with WanderWorld Travel. There she experienced wonderful moments with the animals and other participants on the Eco Farm and in the Wildlife Shelter. In this report, she talks about her unforgettable time on site, her experiences and adventures in the project, as well as her free time.
Before I started my trip, I was very well looked after by WanderWorld, so I was able to start my adventure abroad with a lot of anticipation. In my first few days on site, I was already able to gather some great impressions. At the beginning, everything is new and you have to get used to the new everyday life. But once you get used to the new daily routine, you quickly start to feel at home. As there were already other participants in my accommodation, I was very grateful that they showed and explained everything to me straight away. They also took me on their excursions and showed me a few places. I quickly felt safe and at home in Antigua. You can only love this city and I took it straight to my heart.
My day always started at around 8 o'clock. I particularly liked the morning hours as everything was still so peaceful and sleepy. After breakfast I went to the Eco Farm so that I could start my shift there at 9am. There was a short briefing every day on the farm, where everyone was assigned their tasks and informed about any changes. The tasks are very varied and you can incorporate your own interests and skills into your day-to-day work. For example, you can get involved in gardening and learn a lot about sustainable agriculture or get creative with your crafts. There is always something to do and you never get bored. There are also lots of animals on the farm, all of whom love to be looked after. Working with the puppies in particular put a smile on my face every day. The shift ended at 1 pm and you were free to organize your day as you wished. I either walked back to the house with my housemates and we cooked our own meals or we had lunch on the farm. There are also lots of leisure activities on the farm itself that you can take part in free of charge. Once we even organized an Oktoberfest, which was a real experience.
The day in the Wildlife Shelter started early, as the first shift begins at 06:30. First we prepared breakfast for the enclosures assigned to us. Each enclosure has its own specially compiled nutrition plan, which is adapted to the needs of the respective animals. After preparing breakfast, the respective enclosures were cleaned, whereby it was important to work thoroughly. After cleaning, the water was changed and the food was distributed to the designated eating areas. It was then our job to observe the animals and their behavior closely so that any illnesses or injuries could be identified quickly.
From 08:00 we had a well-deserved breakfast. Afterwards, we inspected an enclosure with all the keepers and managers to discuss any anomalies. The perfect time for us to ask all our questions and learn a lot. Various tasks were then assigned until the 11:00 a.m. shift, for example: making small "enrichments" for the parrots, cleaning in the kitchen, cleaning and refilling the crocodile and tortoise tanks or installing a privacy screen in new enclosures. Twice a week, a large delivery of fruit and vegetables arrived, and we all lent a hand with stowing them away.
The next shift was at 11:00 am. Here we cleaned the eating areas, changed the water and washed the eating boards thoroughly and placed them in front of the enclosures to dry. At 13:00 we had lunch for all the employees until the last shift at 14:00. Here we prepared lunch for the respective enclosures, brought the food boards back into the enclosures and observed the animals' behavior again. We usually finished work at 15:00. We were able to organize this individually. Often all the volunteers and animal keepers went to Flores by boat, visited beautiful beaches and bays or spent the afternoon on the grounds.
Dinner was then served at 18:00. If we wanted to have dinner in nearby Flores, we could simply let the cook know at lunch and then it was no problem at all. The food there was always typical Guatemalan and the cook always cooked extra for vegans/vegetarians. It was particularly great that no one was too busy to lend a hand everywhere. The working atmosphere was characterized by warmth, helpfulness and cheerful interaction.
In my free time, I often went on excursions with the other participants. We often walked around Antigua, visited some ruins and explored the endless alleyways. We also spent a lot of time on the large roof terrace of our accommodation. From there, you even have a good view of the active volcano Fuego. The city itself, as well as the places around it, are very diverse and there was always something new to explore. The hike up the Acatenango volcano, the visit to Tikal National Park and the time we spent in picturesque Flores were also unforgettable. The cooking course that we attended together with other volunteers in Antigua will also remain unforgettable.
When I was traveling in Antigua or working on the Eco Farm, I always noticed how open and warm the Guatemalan culture is. People are always happy and smile at you, which is a great feeling. They are also very helpful and will help you as much as they can with anything, even if they don't even know your name. The culture really fascinated me and I hope I have absorbed a part of it.
I loved working with the animals and so there were countless wonderful moments here. A particularly beautiful moment for me was when the puppies I had been fostering for a few weeks were adopted by a family. I was on the verge of tears at that moment, because I felt that they were going to have a good life and that I might even be able to play a small part in that. The excited jumping around of the little dogs is something I will remember forever.
I was particularly fascinated by Semuc Champey. Here you explore a stalactite cave that is completely different from the caves you know from Germany. I really enjoyed it and it was a fascinating experience. I was also very impressed by the story of how the cave was formed and learned some interesting facts.
My love for Latin America starts with the bright colors that accompany you everywhere you go. Antigua is such a colorful and vibrant city that it automatically puts you in a good mood. I've definitely got an appetite for more and want to explore other exciting countries. The culture here is simply unique and anyone who has ever been lucky enough to be here will understand what I'm talking about.
I have definitely learned to perceive the present moment more intensely and to appreciate life more. So many little moments have stayed with me, not just the big picture. I have also learned to be much more open to new people. I was brave enough to jump over my shadow and now I find it easier to ask for help when I need it.
I can only advise everyone to embark on this adventure. Far too often you stay in your familiar surroundings or don't dare to do something. I've learned that it's worth jumping over your own shadow. Many things will not go as planned, but this is exactly where you learn to be flexible and more spontaneous. A stay abroad is definitely worthwhile, if only to get to know new cultures and become completely absorbed in them. The fact that you are always surrounded by other great people means you don't have to worry about feeling lonely. A feeling that I really enjoyed.
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