People immediately welcome you with friendliness and helpfulness, even if they haven't spoken a word to you yet. I can't put into words how much that has given me and how much I wish I could go back again.
Mara traveled to Colombia and Guatemala with WanderWorld Travel. In Colombia, she worked in a hostel in Cartagena for two months, after which she traveled to Guatemala and took part in a children's aid project for two months. She spent her last month on the eco-farm in Guatemala. In this report, she talks about her unforgettable time there, her experiences and adventures in the project, as well as her free time.
First of all, I informed myself about some entry requirements. These included which vaccinations are required and recommended for Colombia. Then I looked at WanderWorld's packing list and compared it with my own packing list to make sure I didn't forget anything. As you don't have everything at home, I had to buy packing cubes, for example. These are helpful for keeping your travel rucksack tidy. Of course, it's up to you what you want to take with you, but it seemed like a good idea to me and I didn't regret it afterwards. As time went on, I was able to tick more and more items off my packing list and my trip drew ever closer. My excitement grew from day to day.
In the first few days, you will be faced with a lot of new things and it can seem a bit overwhelming at first. It's normal that you need a few days to get used to the new circumstances. The induction day helped me a lot, as I was able to get to know other volunteers who were in the same situation. You could exchange ideas and that also helped you to quickly feel at ease.
At the hostel in Colombia, I worked in the breakfast service and worked 5 days a week from 07:00 - 12:00. I cut fruit, took orders and served food and drinks. During my break, I ate together with the other employees. Afterwards, I was able to organize the rest of my day myself. I really liked the early shift because you get the most out of the day and can even enjoy the quiet hours in the morning.
At the children's aid project in Guatemala, I worked from 14:00 to 17:00 and took the bus to and from the project.
During my shift, I learned with the children, played with them and cooked and ate with them at the end of their lessons. On some days we also went on excursions, which I always particularly enjoyed.
I worked at the eco-farm from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. My job was to look after the animals, give them food and drink and take the dogs for a walk if necessary. On some days, I also had to clean the enclosures and there were other tasks that I could take on. During my shift, we also had a breakfast break, which I always took with the other volunteers in the farm's café.
In all of my projects, I tried to see the surroundings as much as possible and find my way around. At the beginning, I looked at the sights in the areas and went for walks a lot, so I quickly found my favorite places. In the evenings, we often went out in a group, all the volunteers you get to know on the project, and when I had several days off in a row, I went on excursions in the surrounding area.
I was always impressed by the culture in the countries I saw. Even though there were a few similar components, they were completely different. For example, there were similar national dishes, but they were slightly different in each country. The way people spoke and the words they used were also often different and it was always interesting for me to discover these differences. What fascinated me most was how open and warm-hearted the people were towards me. Often before you had even exchanged a few words, they were already there to help you if you looked a little lost.
I experienced many wonderful moments that I would never want to miss again. But one of my favorites was definitely the ascent to the Acatenago volcano. After setting off at midday, we pitched our tents at around 5 p.m. to sleep for a few hours. The feeling of being so close to nature was breathtaking. We then had to get up at around 4 a.m. to make it to the summit in time for sunrise. The little bit of sleep I sacrificed was worth it, because when we reached the top we could see the El Fuego volcano spewing lava. This feeling is so hard to describe as I have never seen anything like it and could hardly believe my eyes. I am very grateful for this experience.
I found Antigua particularly fascinating because you felt very comfortable and at home there. Although the city itself is not that small, it felt that way because of the many small alleyways. The locals were also very friendly and after seeing each other a few times, we always greeted each other and chatted briefly on the street, which I personally found very nice.
I was always impressed by the culture in the countries I saw. Even though there were a few similar components, they were completely different. For example, there were similar national dishes, but they were slightly different in each country. The way people spoke and the words they used were also often different and it was always interesting for me to discover these differences. What fascinated me most was how open and warm-hearted the people were towards me. Often before you had even exchanged a few words, they were already there to help you if you looked a little lost.
By having to get involved in something completely new, you automatically become much more open to everything else that comes along. I was able to see how small my world was at home and how much more there is out there. I am very glad that I made the decision and took the plunge.
I can recommend a trip to Latin America to anyone, as there really is something for everyone. Every country is very different and has something different to offer. I am still very enthusiastic about the culture and language and the warm-heartedness of the people moved me deeply. By spending time abroad, you not only broaden your horizons, but also get to know yourself in a completely new way.
Sophia, founder of Wanderworld Travel
Lisa, Coordinator & Participant Support
Amanda, Support and advice before departure
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