The other day I was on the minibus to El Alto for work and the guy next to me asked me how much the fare was and also to let him when we reached Plaza San Francisco. It felt strange at first that a man who I presumed initially to be Bolivian would ask me these fairly straightforward questions. Anyone who lives in La Paz would know where San Francisco is without thinking about it.
This experience got me thinking about all the counsel and support I’ve given and received since I started my volunteer experience and travels in South America. As my trip is winding down, I wanted to share with La Vida Idealist how great people can be.
- Before I left New York, friends and family helped me support my trip as I had to pay my own way. I threw a successful fundraiser at my house and received an amazing amount of support, both psychological and monetary.
- Neighbors have taken care of my kitties when my husband came to visit me.
- New Peruvian and Bolivian friends have invited me to their hometown festivals and homes for dinner. In turn, I have invited travelers to stay at my house in New York.
- I’ve been a tour guide and resource to a constant stream of visitors in Peru and Bolivia and could probably run a tour agency by now.
- I’ve introduced some of my Bolivian and Peruvian friends to places they have never been before (of course not as many as they have introduced to me, but I have contributed my share!)
- People have crashed on my couch and generous CouchSurfers and friends have let me stay on theirs when I’m in their cities.
- I have translated the comments of Spanish-speaking guides for family, friends and random other travelers. In turn, my Peruvian and Bolivian friends have helped me when I didn’t understand.
- I have lent money to travelers who could have otherwise been stranded and they have always repaid. My friend’s parents bought me lunch after my ATM card got eaten by a bank in Cusco and I couldn’t afford to pay the bill.
- Friends and family have brought bring items from the U.S. for fellow travelers (a credit card, climbing gear, tea) and myself.
- A really nice Bolivian guy took me to see Cristo Blanco (a large statue of Jesus Christ above the city of Cochabamba) when people advised me that it wasn’t safe to walk alone. He also helped me buy bus tickets on the way back.
- A travel agency with nothing to gain (since I couldn’t buy what they were offering) still offered me a ton of tips and in the end, a much cheaper journey.
Celebrating San Antonio de Abad in Caquiaviri with my new Bolivian friend and her family
Volunteering and living abroad has been an amazing treasure trove of cultures, points of view, resources and new friends. I’ve had so many amazing people experiences in the last six months and I’m so grateful for that. I hope you have these experiences too.
Moral of the story: Travel with good karma!
Do you have any good travel karma stories? Please share in the comments!
Latest posts by LethalSheethal
- How to Choose a Volunteer Placement Abroad - July 12th, 2010
- Hungry? - April 19th, 2010
- Day in the Life: Buses and Me, a Love-Hate Relationship - March 26th, 2010
- Falso! A Musing on Fake Money in South America - March 19th, 2010
- My Carnaval Experience in Bolivia - March 12th, 2010
- Cusco on My Mind - February 4th, 2010
- Estaré en Paz en La Paz (I Will Be at Peace in La Paz) - January 29th, 2010
