Just another girl who wants to rule the world

Three years ago, the summer after I graduated college, I have this vision board of places around the world that i want to visit in the future. Somehow, my dreams to travel the world was set aside because: 1) I was too scared to invest my savings in travelling; 2) I have no one to travel with; 3) My life goals kinda became shallow and reachable when i started working. 

I want to revive this vision of mine but add a little spice to it. I saw a website (The Mountain Volunteer) where you can offer volunteer services in Nepal. I was particularly interested in their program where you teach in a school for children with HIV. I have been an HIV worker for almost 3 years now, and the most interaction I have done are field observations and face to face interviews with different spokepeople. Well, HIV is not really considered as a health issue in the Philippines and there are only several programs that cater to the needs of people living with HIV. Anyhow, going back to volunteering, the program will only cost $510 for 2 weeks (around Php 22,000). That’s exclusive of airfare. My estimate for the airfare is around $900 (using budget airlines prices, i.e. Cebu Pacific and Jet airways). Still not bad. What a better way to spend my savings :)

I’ve always wanted to visit Nepal. Everest and the Himalayas. Its rich culture caught my eyes before. In other countries that i visited, the main activity was to shop. I want it to be different this time, i want it to be an adventure, more of a soul searching experience for me.

This is the Boudhanath Temple in Kathmandu at night. Different from all the other Buddhist temples i’ve visited since it has stupa in the center (see the dome and the tower?)

Photo from National Geographic

A friend already volunteered to come with me in this adventure but there’s still a lot of planning to be done, so i think this might be possible next year. I cannot wait! :)