One of the most rewarding things to do while visiting any country is to offer your time as a volunteer. Not only are you able to really witness another culture, but hopefully you can also help out on a project and be an example to whoever you are helping. When I was in the Philippines, [...]
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Little Things that Make the World Better
As I write this, I have just finished wringing and hanging out my 6 articles of clothing on the line to dry for the day. It’s become a normal routine, instinctively built into my every other day schedule. I throw a little soap in the bucket, let my clothes soak for a few minutes, rinse [...]
Get Started with International Volunteering
International Volunteering can be an extremely valuable way to travel, make quality friends, learn about a new place and culture, and come away with unparalleled experiences. Some of my most interesting stories and adventures have been the result of a few spontaneous voluntours I have gotten into. In the Philippines I had some incredible times volunteering with an organization called Gawad [...]
A Whirled of Christmas
Growing up I have had the privilege to spend Christmas in a “whirled” of places. The contrast could not be much more drastic from Hutchinson, Kansas to Tandala, Democratic Republic of Congo, or from Albertville, France, to Bangkok, Thailand. 1. Albertville, France- 1991 By far my whitest Christmas was spent in Albertville, situated at the [...]
Voluntouring in Bicol, Philippines: Part 2
This is the Part 2 of Voluntouring in the Bicol Region of the Philippines: Part 1 In July 2009, I ventured to the Bicol Region in the Philippines to check out some Gawad Kalinga villages (Building Houses with Hope), see some local attractions, eat some chili peppers and bicol express, meet some people, [...]
Voluntouring in Bicol Region of the Philippines: Part 1
This is Part 1, check out Voluntouring in Bicol, Philippines: Part 2 Recently a super typhoon has battered part of the Philippines including the region of Bicol. Many people have gathered together to make efforts at helping others through the devastating destruction. GK is making efforts for relief, clean up, and rehabilitation. In July 2009, [...]
Valuabe Adventures with Gawad Kalinga
Though I have been to only a fraction of Gawad Kalinga (GK) villages (if you are not sure what GK is check out Building Houses With Hope)(GK builds homes for the poorest of the poor in the Philippines giving people not only a living structure but a new perspective on life with an attitude to [...]
Immersed in Payatas: From Dump to Triumph
“If you can smell the garbage, you are entering Payatas,” said Tita Silver, the mother of my host family. Our jeepney crackled through the streets amidst the hustle and bustle of vendors and commuters. The stank of garbage was in the air and the streets and shops were not what you would call clean. I [...]
About Mark Wiens
Hey! My name is Mark. After graduating from university, I decided to travel the world!
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