GORUCK Compression Tough Bag Review

GORUCK Tough Bag Review

If you’re on the hunt for a durable stuff sack to use for expandable (and collapsible) external storage, look no further than the 18 liter GORUCK Compression Tough Bag.  This Cordura stuff sack has been strapped to the bottom of my backpack for the last 6 months of travel holding everything from dirty shoes to … Read more

GORUCK Kit Bag Review

GORUCK Kit Bag

The GORUCK Kit Bag (32L): A durable, functional, and versatile canvas duffle bag.  The GORUCK Kit Bag is great as a weekender or carry on duffel bag, everyday carry duffle, or improvised messenger bag and packs down flat between uses.  GORUCK delivers again. A GORUCK Kit Bag Review The GORUCK Kit Bag is a 32L … Read more

How to get free flights using the best rewards credit card for your destination (Travelhacking 101)

Travelhacking 101 Flights are usually the most expensive part of my adventure.  A luxury apartment in Vietnam is $600 a month and a full on vacation in the Galapagos Islands costs as much as daily life in Dallas, Texas.  That means getting to a destination is a huge chunk of the overall expenses, if you … Read more

(PT 7) A View of Everest – Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar and finishing the Everest Base Camp Hike

Just Starting our “Experiencing Everest Series“? Then jump to our Everest page and start from Part 1 “Why go to Everest”. Gorak Shep to Kala Patthar Even through the sub-freezing chill of the unheated room, I could feel energy in the air as I opened my eyes in Gorak Shep, rustling in my sleeping bag … Read more

(Pt 6) Oh the places you’ll go, and the people you’ll meet…all over a cup of coffee (Adventures as a Global Volunteer: Lesvos)

More from the Series: Adventures as a Global Volunteer – Lesvos and the Refugee Crisis Preface: Voluntourism – What Is It, and Why to Avoid It Part 1: The Beginning. The Reasons.  The Dilemma Part 2: Teaching English, Serving Coffee, Going Solo Part 3: Translating in Moria Refugee Camp, Steps from Hell, and the Meaning … Read more

(Pt 5) Riots in the Refugee Camp, The Exodus of the Kurds, Politics, Cowardice, and Voluntourism

A morning in the food lines of Moria Camp Lesvos Greece

  Just as I thought my days on Lesvos were becoming slow and predictable, the worst happened – a riot in the refugee camp between Kurds and Arabs exploded.  Unwilling to exist in another war, the Kurds fled Moria Camp, walking 10 kilometers in the middle of the night holding everything they owned.  For the … Read more

(Pt 4) A Crash Course as a Volunteer Teacher and a Worthwhile Venture

Teaching English to Refugees in Lesvos Greece as a Global Volunteer

A Note from Carlos: Teachers and Educators – Thank you. What you do is invaluable. I want to open this with a thank you. Thank you to educators of all kinds, teachers, administrators, and facilitiators. Official and unofficial. Thank you for dedicating your life to the pursuit of building minds and empowering people with knowledge. … Read more

(Pt 3) The Meaning of “A Brother Abroad” & Translating in Europe’s Worst Refugee Camp (Adventures as a Global Volunteer)

Moria Camp Adventures as a Global Volnteer avoiding voluntourism and experiences as a volunteer abroad free to do good as I see fit

Moria Camp, on Lesvos Greece, is arguably the worst refugee camp in Europe.  By chance, I was lucky enough to pick up a week long volunteering job translating for patients at a medical clinic.  I dealt with their pent up frustrations, pains, and emotions in the process of translating.  I listened to the sources of … Read more