Travel | The Phoenix Rising Collective

September 10, 2013
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Traveling Adventures: Taking Time to Relax

One of the great advantages of traveling is the wonderful opportunity to take time for relaxation. Ecuador is a beautiful country with a variety of climates, so a few weeks ago I traveled to the coast of Ecuador. The coast is hot and tropical while the center of the country is mountainous and cold. Since I live in the mountains, and right now it is the rainy season, I like to go to the coast and enjoy the beach and sun.

Hostels - Finding Accommodations that are Safe, Inexpensive, and Friendly

When traveling the primary thing to confirm is where to live when you get to your destination. A lot of people like to stay in hostels. These are less expensive than hotels, and they also have a family atmosphere. However, remember with everything there are advantages and disadvantages.

Advantage: I went to a hostel where the owners were very friendly, which is nice because if you go to a place where you do not speak the language you can practice with the people staying in the hostel. For example, there was a traveler from England who did not speak any Spanish, so he would hang out in the common areas and talk to the owners and others that were at the hostel. He would help them learn to speak English while he practiced speaking Spanish. That is the beauty of hostels, there is always a common area where you can meet people from all around the world who are visiting the country, making it easy to create new friendships.

Disadvantage: You have to be careful about what hostel to stay in because some are not very secure, and it is not uncommon sometimes to share rooms and bathrooms with strangers. I recommend going to hostels that are approved by Hosteling International or ones that have come recommended by other travelers.

Hostal SASS in Playas, Ecuador. A wonderful place to stay and a great seafood restaurant.

Leisure - Being in the Moment, Making Time to Unwind, and Trying New Things

Once you are settled in your hostel it is time to start the real relaxation. The coast is wonderful because you can sit on the beach and unwind. The coast is also filled with very friendly people. While sitting on the beach people came up to me just to talk. I recognized that they wanted to know about me just as much as I wanted to know about them.

I also stopped for a moment to watch people fishing. It was very different than what I have seen. They throw out a big net and then bring the fish to shore. Fishing is a family affair in Playas; the whole family helps to gather the catch of the day!

Lastly, don’t forget to take time to try new foods. Being on the coast I couldn’t resist eating a lot of seafood. However, being in a different country means you have to be careful about the types of foods you try because you can easily get sick. The best thing to do: go to places that are recommended by other travelers.

Fishing on the beach in Playas, Ecuador. The birds are doing a little fishing, too.

Photo Credit: Erika Turpin

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Erika is the Travel Contributor for the Phoenix Rising Collective. She is an English as a Foreign Language Teacher, who lives in Cuenca, Ecuador. To express her passion for sharing her traveling and cultural experiences, she shares a verse from her spiritual practice, “Jehovah himself gives the saying; the women telling the good news are a large army.”(Psalm 68:11) Furthermore, “why should women travel the world? Learning about women of all different cultures all around the world helps us to become connected and understand ourselves better. Many women around the world don’t understand their true worth, we must help and love each other.”

July 23, 2013
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A Wonderful Advantage of Living Abroad? Great Friendships

Here are a few more traveling tips that will make living abroad more fun and meaningful.

Always keep a journal! Your trip will then last forever.

I was reading my journal, and I realize that one of the biggest advantages of all my traveling has been the friendships I have made. Living in another country allows an opportunity for meeting and learning from people of various cultures. I have lived in Ecuador for six years, and before that I visited over 15 different countries. In each country that I’ve visited I’ve made a point to connect with the people who live there, and I’ve always ended up making great friends and learning so much from them.

Give freely without expectation.

(Left) Two friends who live in Guaranda, Ecuador. They have learned Kichwa, and are originally from Korea and Japan, respectively. I have never been to Asia, but in Ecuador I have met several people from this continent.

From my dear Korean friend I have learned that if I give freely without expectation I will receive in many different ways. She is one of the most generous people I know; she gives wholeheartedly. In addition, she always tells me to take care of my health because with good health I will be able to help others.

She has also taught me how to do a body cleanse every year and eat healthy every day. I definitely have a lot more energy because of this practice, so she is a great influence.

Study hard. Your efforts will pay off.

From my Japanese friend I have learned that it truly pays to study hard. Since coming to Ecuador I’ve learned to fluently speak Spanish and Kichwa. That was not easy, but my friend was very helpful. She speaks seven languages and started learning Kichwa the same time that I did. In watching her I realize that if I put forth the effort, I will be blessed. She learns new languages in order to help others, and that has inspired me to remain committed so that I can do the same for someone else.

Learn about tradition and culture.

An Ecuadorian family tradition is making humitas. It takes the entire family all day to make them. When visiting a friend (far left) that lives in the northern part of Ecuador in a city called Atuntaqui, we made humitas.

When making humitas, first you have to grind the corn. This is done manually and requires a lot of strength, so this is what the men do all morning. When they finish the women gather in the kitchen to mix the ingredients and stuff the corn husks.

I loved being a part of this tradition because it is a time when the whole family is together, talking and laughing. A big part of the Ecuadorian culture is the closeness of family. The house is always filled with grandchildren, in-laws, and a lot of noise.

Even though I am from another country every time I visit I am instantly made to feel like a part of the family; this usually means a lot of eating! I have learned the importance of family from these experiences, and that no matter how far they are from me, to stay close to them and keep sharing in their lives.

Be willing to learn from all age groups.

Not all of my friends are adults. Children are wonderful to have in your life, and I have learned to relax, have fun, and be patient from them. They have their own problems, but they see the positive side of everything. I like inviting children over to my house just to play (those are my stuffed animals that you see in the photo below!).

Lastly…

Open your mind to new experiences!

It is so nice to meet people from all over the world because it helps us to open our minds. I encourage everyone to be open to new experiences and listen to others as they share their experiences. At the end of the day, you will have gained some great lasting friendships.

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May 27, 2013
by The Phoenix Rising Collective 2 Comments

Traveling Abroad, Building Confidence: Top Four Things Women Should Know to Get Started

I hope that sharing my diverse travel excursions has sparked your interest to experience the wonders of traveling to another country. If it has, I’m sure you’re wondering, “How do I get started? Where should I go?” Well, here are some quick traveling tips that I’ve created and think that every woman should know to begin:

Do your research.

SHOTS: Each country is different even within the same continent. Find out what shots are important for the country that you plan to visit. For example, if you’re going to the Amazon you’ll need to get a shot for yellow fever.

VISAS: Check the visa requirements. Some countries allow you to get a visa when you enter, and others require getting one in advance. For example, Ecuador allows a three-month visa once you arrive.

As women we must think about our safety. When you pick a country to travel, do your homework. Learn about the country’s political status, as well as its crime rate. In addition, it is always good to have a travel companion, or go to a place where you already know someone. Finally, when you get to the country always be aware of your surroundings; try to learn about your environment and blend in as much as possible.

Teaching English is a good way to receive financial assistance during your travels abroad. Many people go to different countries and work as English teachers; it’s an opportunity to get your foot in the door. In most countries you can find a job teaching English, and some teaching positions include help with housing, visa, and travel plans. Check out these online resource networks and databases to get you started: TEFL.com and i-to-i TEFL.

Here are a few questions to ask when choosing an English teaching position:

How many students are there per class?
Will I be teaching adults or children?
Is there a curriculum?
Do they pay on time? (Sadly, some don’t.)
What resources are available?
Do you need a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate? (There are online classes.)

When you arrive…

Always wash your fruits and vegetables in a disinfectant, and don’t drink the water unless you are sure it is safe. For example, in Latin America there is the possibility of getting parasites from the food if it is not washed properly. If you get a stomachache or diarrhea go to a doctor as soon as possible because the sooner the parasites are detected the quicker you can go back to enjoying your trip!

Of course, these are just a few important quick tips to help you get started. They were definitely helpful to me, and have made my traveling experiences more enjoyable. Above all, be open to the journey so that you learn something in the country you’re visiting/living in. Openness will strengthen your confidence, and also cultivate a new, positive, and healthier level of self-esteem that you never knew existed. Take the leap!

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May 14, 2013
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Adventures in Traveling the World: Learning about Rural Communities and Culture

While in Ecuador I’m traveling all around the country so that I can see various parts of it, and also talk with the people who live in the communities. I especially like to visit a small indigenous community called Huangras; I love it because everyone speaks Kichwa, and I get to practice the language! I talked about the Kichwa-speaking people in my last post.

Huangras is made up of two small towns divided by a river. It is set in the mountains, where there are no roads. We go to celebrate the memorial of Christ’s death the last week of March. I will take you on our journey.

On the first day we set out early, 6:30 a.m., in fact. Our hope in doing this is to get to town before dark. It can be dangerous to walk in the mountains at night because there are wild bears in certain parts. We have to drive two hours to get to the nearest town, and once the road ends we continue the rest of the way on foot; the walk in the mountains is six and half hours, so we take horses with us to carry our luggage and supplies.

This is our third trip to this little town, and the people remember us. We are quite exhausted after traveling, but it is a nice, cool day, so hiking to get there isn’t that terrible; however, the way back is rainy and muddy, making the trip home very difficult. The mud level is so high we are knee-deep in it. Having to constantly pull our legs out of the mud exerted a lot of energy and strength, so by the end of the week we are all quite exhausted, but happy to have had the wonderful experience.

Our Arrival to Huangras

Central Huangras, as seen from the top of the mountain.
The people live all around the mountains.

Once we arrive in Huangras we rest and then eat. There are no real restaurants, but there is a store and a woman who cooks for us the whole week. Everything that we eat is grown in town - potatoes, corn, and other vegetables. The indigenous people also raise animals, such as cows and chickens. It was very common in the morning to be eating breakfast alongside a live chicken that later ended up being lunch!

The second day of our visit, most of the people are gone, because there is an important meeting in a neighboring town. However, on the third day the meeting is continued in Huangras with the principal leaders present, because they are deciding on an agreement to develop a road. Cars would be able to enter into the town, and of course there are advantages and disadvantages of having a road, as we’re told by one of the residents.

Currently, when anyone needs serious medical attention it is too difficult to get to them, and because of weather conditions (mainly rain) people get sicker and even die on the way to the doctor because of inaccessibility. On the other hand, having a new road could possibly destroy the environment and the community they have built. Animals would lose their homes, and buses and cars would frequently bring in a lot of people. Last year, when we visited, this serious decision was the discussion, and it is definitely a decision that will change their lives one way or the other.

The Visit to San Carlos: A Neighboring Community

When we go to San Carlos we visit a school. It is interesting that the teachers in the school are all young men (early twenties); this is also the case for the school in Huangras. I asked people in the commuity why this is the experience, and the answer was that the government pays for them to teach in these communities. The young men travel from their homes in Alausi or Cañar, the two closest major cities. They teach for three weeks and get one week off school so that they can go home to visit their families. School is all year round.

The classroom and school in San Carlos.

We noticed that there is a computer in the classroom covered with a sheet so we asked to use it, but the teacher explained that we could not because it arrived broken. He tells us that it is very difficult to get supplies because of distance; everything has to come on horseback, so unfortunately, there is a large risk of equipment and supplies being damaged. I also observed that it is a very simple and small school, but the children, well, they are just the same as all the other schools I have visited in different parts of the world – happy!

The people in San Carlos are very open, and they freely speak with us. I also love that everyone stops to say hello and will talk with you for hours. No one is rushing to go anywhere. The children run around and play. There are no video games or television, just a simple game of hopscotch. Here, the people sit, walk, and truly enjoy nature. As I leave this little town I wonder if further developing their connection to the outside world will be a change for the better.

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March 19, 2013
by The Phoenix Rising Collective 2 Comments

Around the World, In Search of More: How Traveling Has Changed My Life

Travel_Quote

We live in such a big world with people who have diverse cultures, customs, and beliefs, so I started traveling to get to know the world we live in better.

When we are born in one place and stay there all our lives, sometimes we miss the chance to truly be exposed to the cultures of others, and this can lead to thinking that our way of life is the only way, or sadly, the best way, so I began to travel more in order to experience for myself what other places are truly like.

My first trip outside of the U.S. was to Cairo, Egypt. A college friend was going home for the summer, so I decided to accompany her on the journey. While there I saw a world that was so different from my own. As I traveled around the country, I was fascinated by the fact that many people in Cairo have some of the same perspectives on family as those who live in the U.S. There was the mother who made sure her children were fed in the morning and off to school. The father who worried about where his teenage daughter was going, and who she was going out with at night. Having the opportunity to witness these similarities, and also experience some of the cultural differences, broadened my thinking, and probed me to ask more questions like, “Is there a right or wrong way? Couldn’t they all just be different?” These questions are what started my traveling bug.

This is a woman who lives in a rural town called Cayhuashun near Cuenca, Ecuador. The skirt is the typical dress of the women living near Cuenca. Every indigenous community has their own traditional dress.
Photo Credit: Erika Turpin

Since Cairo I have been to many other countries in the world, and I wish to visit and explore more places in the future. However, right now I have settled in Ecuador. This country fascinates me, and I want to continue learning about the people, so I haven’t left yet.

I currently live in beautiful Cuenca, Ecuador, South America, the third largest city in Ecuador and host to a variety of cultures. One that I have come to really embrace is those who speak Kichwa - an indigenous language in the country. I feel a connection to them, especially the women. And when I am with them, I often reflect on my own family.

They highly value hard work, and are committed to keeping close-knit family bonds. For example, the women usually get up at four in the morning to make sure everyone is well prepared for the day. This is also the perfect time for them to cook and wash clothes, which is all done by hand, and once everyone is off to work or school, they go to work themselves.

The photo (bottom left) shows a mother, her two daughters, and her granddaughter selling vegetables at the local market in Cuenca. The small children are carried on their mothers’ backs so they can remain hands-free for working. In bigger cities, the markets are where you will find most of the Kichwa women, so I love to stop, shell peas, and talk with them. I haven’t graduated to plucking the corn kernels off a cob because it’s too hard, and I usually end up with all the corn splattered on my face.

Mothers selling vegetables at the local market in Cuenca
Photo Credit: Erika Turpin

The Kichwa-speaking people are a very private and closed community. It takes a while for them to trust and let you into their circle, because they have experienced a lot of prejudice. Unfortunately, those outside of their community tend to look down on them, viewing them as ignorant and dirty. They believe Kichwa is a dying language of the past and don’t want to learn it; in fact, speaking English is preferred because they equate it with fortune. However, Kichwa is important to the rural areas of Ecuador because Spanish isn’t spoken, so their indigenous language is the central way to communicate.

The negative perceptions about this community are what make the people reserved and skeptical. But, on the other hand, once you win their trust, you’ve gained friends for life. I have also found that because I’ve taken the time to learn their language, I am easily accepted. They view me as someone who genuinely makes an effort to be a part of their lives.

There is so much more for me to experience in Cuenca, and I am excited to continue sharing my adventures and inspirations with you. Traveling around the world has changed my life, so hopefully, you’ll be inspired by some of the stories, and take the leap to begin (or continue) exploring places that have always intrigued you.

Erika Turpin is an English as a Foreign Language Teacher, who lives in Cuenca, Ecuador. To express her passion for sharing her traveling and cultural experiences, she shares a verse from her spiritual practice, “Jehovah himself gives the saying; the women telling the good news are a large army.”(Psalm 68:11) Furthermore, “why should women travel the world? Learning about women of all different cultures all around the world helps us to become connected and understand ourselves better. Many women around the world don’t understand their true worth, we must help and love each other.”

The Phoenix Rising Collective

Inspiring Women. Empowering Change.

Category Archives: Travel