I must apologize to all of my dedicated readers (the few of you that still remain) for the delay in posts...please note the extremely justifiable reasons:
- Back in NYC working on a project...nope didn't decide to move back
- The start of an exciting new job...Guthrie Theater...YEAH!!!
- Finding a new apartment...an affordable one bedroom in Loring Park
- A new city to adapt to...Minneapolis, MN...can you believe it?!
- Moving into my new apartment...happening this Sat!!
So as you can see I have been slightly distracted BUT I will very soon have updates on my recent visit to NYC AND the next entry regarding ASPRIDEQ - Socio Ecological Project which will contine my series on "to return or not to return". Thanks so much for your patience and please look back soon!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
To "return" or not to "return" ...that is the question (entry #1)
RETURN: \ri-ˈtərn\ Function: verb
a: to go back or come back again b: to go back in thought, practice, or condition...
In December of 1997 I traveled in Europe for three months. I backpacked by myself most of the time and saw a ton of England, Ireland, a bit of Scotland, France, Italy and Spain. No digital camera or blog at the time, so memories are what I hold on to. It was, at that time, a life changing experience. I think it planted the "travel seed"...but I believe the most influential impression that trip left me with was it solidified a life long friendship with my brother, Kelly, who I traveled with for 3 weeks while I was there.
The idea of returning to Europe has entered my mind now and again...I did go back to London in 2005...but a yearning to return, a need in my heart to create or do something...has never been there...I think I reaped its benefits.
BUT...my South America trip...it did something different to me. It touched a different cord in my psyche...maybe because there was no family there, maybe my age, the volunteer work, the hikes alone. I am not sure, but I have noticed since I've come back...I've been trying to return, but "return" what? Me physically? Yeah that would be fun. Monetarily? Ah the rub...I am not quite sure at this time...ideas are still brewing.
I continue to come back to my experience in Cuzco working with the kids at the community center and to the memories of the people I met who are currently doing extraordinary things both to survive AND help others. So, I thought one way I might return was to explain a bit more about who these people are and what types of things they are doing...maybe one of you readers will be inspired to visit, volunteer for them or come up with an idea to "return". So, while I am still working on my bigger plan I thought I would, in a more detailed way over the next few weeks, introduce you to some of the people and organizations who left an indelible impression on me...it is one way to revisit...while I figured out how to return...
Organization #1:
HEARTS CAFE - an organization with a heart, run by a BIG heart to support the Living Heart in Ollyantantambo, Peru
Heart Cafe (www.heartscafe.org) was opened in March of 2007 by Sonia Newhouse, a retiree from England. I met Sonia at the end of October 2007 after finishing my enlightening four day Inca Trail hike. She was an inspiration! A hard working, dedicated individual giving of herself for the good of others. Something many only talk about doing.
I talked with her for over an hour discussing her choices, how it came to be, why Peru, her struggles to get help, her work in rural Huaran, her daughter in England and much more. I found out that Sonia had never been to South America prior to her retiring. When she retired she decided she would travel for a bit. She started in Peru and never left. When she ventured to Cuzco she was unable to stay there because of the elevation and found herself settling in the less elevated Sacred Valley. She hasn't left.
She told me about the people she met, the things she saw and how she was driven to make a change. So, with her own money and some local help she opened Hearts Cafe a not for profit restaurant in the center of Ollyantantambo dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of Andean woman and children.
All the food is organic, all the proceeds from the cafe go back to less fortunate communities, all the employees are local, and it is now the base for the newly created NGO, Living Heart (www.livingheartperu.org), formed in August and certified in November 2007. In just nine short months (like pregnancy) Sonia turned her world upside down and gave a new life to many...
Living Heart is an association without profitable aims. The actions and programmes have been developed to combine educational strategies, conservation, nutritional and health advice, include family planning support, with the purpose of promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life for the Andean people. This work is particularly aimed at benefiting the lives of disadvantaged children.
I left Sonia with a full stomach, a yearning heart and an overwhelming need to do something. I remember a comment she made as I left, "Lily Love Shaw, what a beautiful name. You seem to have found me for a reason...maybe Hearts Cafe is where your Love belongs". Her words still ring in my ears...
Please read more about Living Heart's current projects at www.livingheartperu.org. A link is located on my side bar. They need our help.
Look next week look for organization #2...
ASPRIDEQ - Socio Ecological Project - A project of passion, pride and vision in the center of one of the most amazing Peruvian jungles, Manu...
a: to go back or come back again
In December of 1997 I traveled in Europe for three months. I backpacked by myself most of the time and saw a ton of England, Ireland, a bit of Scotland, France, Italy and Spain. No digital camera or blog at the time, so memories are what I hold on to. It was, at that time, a life changing experience. I think it planted the "travel seed"...but I believe the most influential impression that trip left me with was it solidified a life long friendship with my brother, Kelly, who I traveled with for 3 weeks while I was there.
The idea of returning to Europe has entered my mind now and again...I did go back to London in 2005...but a yearning to return, a need in my heart to create or do something...has never been there...I think I reaped its benefits.
BUT...my South America trip...it did something different to me. It touched a different cord in my psyche...maybe because there was no family there, maybe my age, the volunteer work, the hikes alone. I am not sure, but I have noticed since I've come back...I've been trying to return, but "return" what? Me physically? Yeah that would be fun. Monetarily? Ah the rub...I am not quite sure at this time...ideas are still brewing.
I continue to come back to my experience in Cuzco working with the kids at the community center and to the memories of the people I met who are currently doing extraordinary things both to survive AND help others. So, I thought one way I might return was to explain a bit more about who these people are and what types of things they are doing...maybe one of you readers will be inspired to visit, volunteer for them or come up with an idea to "return". So, while I am still working on my bigger plan I thought I would, in a more detailed way over the next few weeks, introduce you to some of the people and organizations who left an indelible impression on me...it is one way to revisit...while I figured out how to return...
Organization #1:
HEARTS CAFE - an organization with a heart, run by a BIG heart to support the Living Heart in Ollyantantambo, PeruHeart Cafe (www.heartscafe.org) was opened in March of 2007 by Sonia Newhouse, a retiree from England. I met Sonia at the end of October 2007 after finishing my enlightening four day Inca Trail hike. She was an inspiration! A hard working, dedicated individual giving of herself for the good of others. Something many only talk about doing.
I talked with her for over an hour discussing her choices, how it came to be, why Peru, her struggles to get help, her work in rural Huaran, her daughter in England and much more. I found out that Sonia had never been to South America prior to her retiring. When she retired she decided she would travel for a bit. She started in Peru and never left. When she ventured to Cuzco she was unable to stay there because of the elevation and found herself settling in the less elevated Sacred Valley. She hasn't left.
She told me about the people she met, the things she saw and how she was driven to make a change. So, with her own money and some local help she opened Hearts Cafe a not for profit restaurant in the center of Ollyantantambo dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of Andean woman and children.
All the food is organic, all the proceeds from the cafe go back to less fortunate communities, all the employees are local, and it is now the base for the newly created NGO, Living Heart (www.livingheartperu.org), formed in August and certified in November 2007. In just nine short months (like pregnancy) Sonia turned her world upside down and gave a new life to many...Living Heart is an association without profitable aims. The actions and programmes have been developed to combine educational strategies, conservation, nutritional and health advice, include family planning support, with the purpose of promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life for the Andean people. This work is particularly aimed at benefiting the lives of disadvantaged children.
I left Sonia with a full stomach, a yearning heart and an overwhelming need to do something. I remember a comment she made as I left, "Lily Love Shaw, what a beautiful name. You seem to have found me for a reason...maybe Hearts Cafe is where your Love belongs". Her words still ring in my ears...
Please read more about Living Heart's current projects at www.livingheartperu.org. A link is located on my side bar. They need our help.
Look next week look for organization #2...
ASPRIDEQ - Socio Ecological Project - A project of passion, pride and vision in the center of one of the most amazing Peruvian jungles, Manu...
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