This hostel is seeking a volunteer to learn all aspects of the hostel business and willing to make a minimum commitment of one month. Duties will include administration, evening desk duty, check-in, reservations, marketing, customer service and computer trouble shooting. You will be dealing with an international backpacker clientele between the ages of 18 – 40.
The volunteer receives a free accommodation and one meal a day.
In the four weeks since the Haiti earthquake, many – albeit not nearly enough – have expressed outrage over the US military takeover of this tiny country. Among the more well-known are John Pilger and Michael Chossudovsky. In his column for the New Statesman, John Pilger describes the “swift and crude” appropriation of earthquake-ravaged Haiti by the militarised Obama administration. With George W. Bush attending to the “relief effort” and Bill Clinton the UN’s man, The Comedians, Graham Greene’s dark novel about exploted Haiti comes to mind.
Peruvian authorities have reportedly commenced the construction of an alternative route to the ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru.
The route leading to the ancient site was damaged two weeks ago after a series of floods and landslides blocked railway access and led to the emergency evacuation of tourists.
Popular trekking route to the ruins, the Inca Trail, has since been closed for the month for maintenance and the National Institute of Culture will decide whether to reopen it in March.
The Hiram Bingham luxury train travel option from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes has also closed and is not expected to be operational until June.
Travel wholesaler South America Tourism Office (SATO) warned that the Machu Picchu Archaeological complex is currently closed to the public and it is not guaranteed it will be re-opened by April.
However, it said the alternative route to Machu Picchu is expected to be completed by March and would combine paved and unpaved roads as well as a train link.
It will take longer than the original train route, between 7.5 – 9 hours from Cuzco, and will pass through Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Malaga, Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes.
Despite this, SATO said tourist activities in Cuzco and Sacred Valley had resumed with city tours, cathedrals, nearby markets and ruins all operating as usual.
“The floods were concentrated in the Andes area surrounding Cuzco and did not affect other parts of Peru” said SATO Director Delfor Pelletti, urging travellers to not be deterred from visiting Peru.
“Whilst Machu Picchu is a highlight of the continent itself, Peru is a country rich in culture and history with plenty of other attractions including the colonial city of Arequipa, the mysterious Nazca lines and the wildlife sanctuary of the Ballestas islands.”
This surf lodge is run in the true spirit of ecotourism; minimising environmental impact, promoting conservation, and providing benefits for the local community. The lodge is located near four incredible surf spots with favourable surfing conditions throughout the year. Other attractions include great fishing, snorkelling, horseback riding and nature exploration. Sea turtles frequently come up onto the beach at night to lay their eggs. The lodge is looking for someone who has experience of waiting tables and serving drinks, giving surf lessons, and is conversational in English and Spanish.
Benefits include free board and lodging, £65 per month salary, and share of profits from surf lessons.
A popular hostel is looking for an interesting and responsible traveller to work as a bartender. Responsibilities include running the bar, taking food orders and helping to check-in guests. The hostel is renowned for its great social scene and as such is consistently busy with backpackers from around the world. The hostel is set around a lush garden area which also serves as a restaurant and bar.
The bartender receives a small salary, private room, free internet, all meals and cheap drinks.
It is a sad truth that much of the North American food system is unappetizing and, frankly, more than a little grotesque. Food, Inc., directed by Robert Kenner and co-produced by Fast Food Nation author Eric Schlosser, is the latest food expose to hit British cinema screens.
The 93-minute documentary is part ‘Our Daily Bread,’ with a dash of ‘The World According to Monsanto’ and a liberal mixing of ‘Fast Food Nation’ and ‘The Omnivore’s Dilemma’ by Michael Pollan.
The result is a haunting look into the North American food system – one of the most corporate controlled, unhealthiest, cruellest food systems on the planet.
If you don’t know much about how most of the food in supermarkets gets to your table, you need to see this film. If you’ve already educated yourself on the horrific practices of America’s food industry, this film will inspire, empower, enrage and connect you with the unsung heroes who are out there doing something about it.
You can too by voting with your mouth three times a day.
The position will include direct involvement and managing volunteers caring for and conducting medical rehabilitation for neo-tropical birds. Daily duties will include intake, feeding, cleaning, food preparation, general care, of avian patients (generally 2 to 20 birds), and working closely with veterinarians who will conduct major medical procedures. Additional duties will often include collecting food (fruits, insects, etc) from a 20-acre protected reforestation area on site, completion of patient records, logging dietary intake, producing an avian cookbook and care manual. NGO activities will include participating in public outreach and assisting with the identification and solicitation of grants and contributions.
The position is set to start between the 1 and 13 January 2011 for a period of no less than 1 year. The application deadline is the 1 November 2010; however, late applications are considered if the candidate is exceptionally suited for the position.
The intern receives room, board, a stipend, periodic use of vehicle, and internet access.
Salvador Carnival, one of the world’s biggest and most famous, brings out the best of Afro-Brazilian music and dance. The spectacle of the religious groups, known as Afoxé societies, is one of the most striking elements of the celebration.
A far cry from the polished glitz and glamour of Rio de Janeiro’s carnival and the accompanying media feeding frenzy, Salvador has the sultry, intoxicating atmosphere of a true Brazilian street party.
One of the more renowned Afoxé societies at the Salvador Carnival are the Filhos de Gandhy, or Sons of Gandhi. Dressed in the white tunics and blue turbans of their West African ancestors, these members make up one of the many Afro Blocos. Members can number in the hundreds. Tight syncopated drumming with catchy rhythms make it impossible not to dance.
Trios Electricos – large bands that play music close in style to the Afro Blocos through enormous sound systems – dominate the floats at Salvador Carnival, so if percussion, Latin music or just letting your hair down is your thing, then head down to Salvador on Brazil’s north-east coast.
This project helps children and youth that previously lived on the streets in vulnerable situations and/or were abandoned by their parents. The orphanage is looking for volunteers who have a basic understanding of Spanish and can volunteer for at least three months. Volunteers live on-site and support the children in their studies, help out in workshops and other specific activities.
Volunteers receive free board and lodging.
Attend workshops, exhibitions, gastronomic shows, carnival catwalks and more at Mexico City’s annual Festival of Drumming and African Culture. Music groups come from across the world and activities take place in El Zócalo and various cultural centres in the capital. The festival takes place from the 21 – 28 February 2010.