Rustic Pathways Reviews

On my second Rustic Pathways program, I opted to embark on a longer journey than my first , this time to Fiji. Fiji is thriving with culture, from the guitar players in the airport to the locals in the villages. My first experience of the Fijian lifestyle was my first Kava ceremony in the village of Somo Somo, where we spent the nights sleeping in beachside tents. Kava is a drink extracted from the root of the native Kava plants. Fijians use it to welcome new people into their village and as a beverage similar to alcohol. It is customary for those visiting the different villages in Fiji to greet the village chief with the root of a Kava plant, as we did. The chief instantly ground the root up, mixed it with water, and made a mud colored drink. The locals raised a glass and greeted us with “bula” (welcome). From this point on, I knew my trip would be remarkable. I enjoyed conversations with the locals about their way of life along with visiting the local church. My group and I bonded instantly, leading to an amazing trip. I was able to see both sides of Fiji, the beautiful beaches and also the village life style. Fiji was an amazing cultural experience where I also met life long friends. I have done multiple Rustic Pathway programs and highly suggest that everyone goes on one.

My trip to Cambodia was probably one of the best times I have had in the short 17 years I have been alive. Since day one, I have been attached at the hip to my identical twin sister. We look exactly the same to new people, make the same grades, have the same friends, share clothes, and are never alone. It is never one or the other but “Hasie and Clara did this” or “Hasie and Clara, let’s do that!” We simply did not know how to be an individual before we went our separate way for the first time ever. With Rustic pathways, I left for the floating villages in Cambodia, and she left for India. It was the first time I would be on my own and discovering who I was without my twin sister. As I traveled around Cambodia, I learned how to make friends on my own and how to be okay with having my own experiences. I found my individual voice and formed more of an idea of who I was as I tapped into a deeper side of myself.
After our work was done and dinner was finished, my group spent every night in the village sitting on the top of our boat reflecting on our day and life and everything it has to offer. We talked about the immensity and wonders of space, social pressures and how they have shaped us, differences and similarities of religion, and almost anything else you can think of. We told funny and sad stories and spent every moment getting know one another that much better. No time was wasted on our phones scrolling through social media and dwelling on the lives of the people who were not with us, and instead, we spent every moment present and engaged in thoughtful and unforgettable conversation.
If I am going to be specific, the most life-changing experience I had was talking to the woman who we built a house for from start to finish. For four or five days, my friends and I spent almost all day hammering wood, tying on bamboo for walls, and sweating as we prepared this house for her. To be completely honest, at first, it seemed a little unfulfilling. We were building a house for one person when we could be out in the community doing anything else that could help multiple people at a time. However, that mindset changed after the conversation we had with her. Our local leader translated, and she told us of her struggles due to the Khmer Rouge. She was taken to a working camp where she worked from sunrise to sunset picking rice and cutting wood with only single bowl of rice to fill her stomach each day. She said she went to bed hungry every night but had to wake up ready to work every day because that was the only way to survive. During the genocide, she lost her husband who was taken to a killing field and two of her four sons. After the Khmer were defeated, she and her two sons went back to their village but could not find their home. As everyone else, they were displaced and had no way of finding their way back to it. As a result, her small family was forced to survive in the woods lining the river. During the dry season, her sons swam through the river grabbing anything that could float in order to make a raft to sleep on when the rain came. They tied it to a tree using its branches as a roof and floated up and down with the rise and fall of the river. For food, they had little and managed to find leaves and a rice substitute which they buried and cooked beneath a fire. Her sons eventually moved away, and she acquired a boat which she then lived in for some time. She has been a guest of her friend’s house but has not had a house of her own since the beginning of the genocide, some 40 years ago. We, however, were able to give her that. She is eighty-four and living far past the Cambodian life expectancy rate, and in her last years, we were given the privilege of providing her a house. After her story was over, she looked each one of us in the eyes and said, “Thank you. I was drowning, and together you all saved me.” We saved one woman and with a few days of hard work were able to restore her independence. The Khmer Rouge took so much from her, but because of us, they could not keep that. I could ask for nothing more. Saving one woman was enough for me, and I no longer desired any other service. We changed her life, and in return, she changed ours by showing us how capable we are of making a difference in the world. Because of this, Cambodia will not be my last trip, and I plan to live a life of service devoted to doing what I can to make even just a single person’s life that much better.

The Costa Rican Adventurer program was my first Rustic Pathways trip ever. I went in horrified being alone and still kinda awkward. But at the airport, before I even got to Costa Rica, I had made so many friends. I was so excited to actually get to the country and be able to make memories with all the amazing people I had meet at the airport. My program was an amazing experience. I still remember in detail the warm beaches, the challenging hikes, the sounds of the waterfalls where we slept, the howler monkeys at night, the water coming down on my and my friend Lily as we repelled 150 feet down a waterfall, the rush when we successfully went down a tough rapid while white water rafting, and the rain drops pelting me in the face as I zip lined across lush rainforest. My trip was amazing, breath taking, and so memorable. I still talk to everyone from my trip including my trip leaders. the friends you make through a Rustic trip are friends you will keep forever. At my school I have gotten so many other people to go on Rustic trips because I know they are for every one. I would 100% recommend any Rustic Pathways trip to anyone.

Thailand is named the land of smiles for a reason. My eighteen days on Life on the Margin were filled with laughter, dancing, incredible stories, and debrief sessions. This trip is definitely for people who love to engage in intellectual conversations, have a love for children, and are open to a new lifestyle for the duration of the trip. Over the course of our trip we were able to dissect global issues, our surroundings, and ourselves, while still being silly when dancing in the back of Songthaew's, or sliding around in the mud when playing soccer with local children. We engaged in a mutual exchange of culture with the children we lived with in the base house, children we taught, and children we played with. This trip is for anybody who has an interest in global issues, a love for service, and a desire to explore the roots of Karen culture. Learn to embrace a culture different to anything you have experienced, embrace the dirt, and embrace all the new friendships! I have been on multiple Rustic Pathways trips, and the more service the closer your group with become. Laugh with your new friends as you stuff your face with amazing noodles, slip in the mud, and rock some elephant pants with crazy colored crocs. Get to know the amazing staff as you sit crossed legged around the table eating amazing food, while you are surrounded by the gorgeous rice patty fields. Don't forget your bug spray, water bottle, and a journal to document the amazing trip!

I absolutely loved the "Heart of the Jungle" Rustic Pathways program in Costa Rica! The packed sixteen day trip completely flew by because before I knew it, I had to say goodbye to the luscious land of Costa Rica and all of my new friends. "Heart of the Jungle" was the perfect mix of adventure and service. The thrilling activities, like whitewater rafting and waterfall rappelling were incredible experiences that I'm glad I got to check off my bucket list! I wish I could do them all again. The service component of the trip was life-changing. My group helped start building two houses, a handicap accessible bathroom in a community center, and more. The best part was being able to interact with and work alongside the locals. One night we even had an extremely fun soccer match with them and made up our own chant in Spanish. Going into the program I was a bit worried about my limited knowledge of the Spanish language, which is none because I study French, but I realized that the true "language" of Costa Rica was their "pura vida" lifestyle. Everyone was so kind and welcoming that language did not even matter. Along with doing service and participating in activities, I learned a lot more about the environment. Thanks to Rustic I learned how to become a more conscientious and respectful traveler, especially in the evironmental sense. My leaders were extremely knowledgeable, not to mention also being kind and caring people. My trip this past summer has made such an impact on my life and I've gained not only new friends, but also new, unforgettable memories I'll hold throughout my life.

Signing up for the Life on the Margin trip in Thailand was quite possibly the best thing I've ever done for myself. The experiences I had teaching, doing service work, discussing, and getting to know the local Karen people were suprising, enlightening, fun, and educational is every way. I didn't expect to learn so much about myself and how my place in the world connects to those overseas. I left the beautiful country of Thailand with a newfound sense of community and the love of all my friends, despite us being scattered all over the world. I would recommend this program to anyone who is seeking an impactful experience and isn't afraid of a little cement or a few chickens. My biggest piece of advice to anyone going to travel is to just let loose and be open. I have always been afraid of the uncontrollable but I had so much more fun when I was able to throw my hands in the air and sing, share my ideas, and be in the moment. The thing I remember most is the fun times I had with my group. Thankfully we were only 9 and that allowed to all become close quickly. Time flies before your eyes and you may not remember the views of the mountains forever, but you will remember embarrassing yourselves singing Taylor Swift songs in front of a group of Burmese students who are far more talented than you. Mishaps always turn into the best memories and the funniest stories stories to share with friends and family. If I could go back I don't think I would change a single thing about my trip. While this program does involve a hefty dose of discussion based learning I wouldn't trade my experience for anything else.

This past summer I went on The Rebuilding New Orleans trip offered by Rustic Pathways, and needless to say it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I was greeted by Haley and Linni (shoutout to the best group leaders!) at the airport and immediately comforted by their happy and relaxed manner. The base house was perfect and the bedrooms were comfortable. I traveled alone, meaning I didn’t know any other student that I’d be spending the next 13 days with. Not that I was worried, but if anyone is concerned about going on a trip like this because you think you won’t make friends, trust me, the bond you create with these people comes quick and lasts forever. I got to earn a great number of service hours while also learning and experiencing what the beautiful city of New Orleans has to offer. By watching a few videos and driving to certain spots, we all were able to learn plenty about Hurricane Katrina and its impact. Service activities include helping out at a community garden, helping at a food pantry, helping at a local school’s garden, and, of course, rebuilding a home for someone who lost theirs in the natural disaster. The days were long and rewarding, yet everyone’s positive spirits and smiles made time fly. We did plenty of other things, such as going to multiple fantastic jazz shows, walking around the French Quarter, and seeing the Mississippi River. One memory that sticks out to me was when the group was split in two and in charge of dinner. We had some money to go to the infamous Circle Food Store and get supplies. That group activity, which included sharing the kitchen trying to make two different meals for the group, was so much fun (my group’s pancakes won!). Another great memory was when one of my new friend’s and I were walking in the French Market and stumbled upon a man that paints beautiful artwork by using things like animals and buildings to create our name. Both of us got one (not expensive at all) and we both cherish how beautiful and how quickly he made them. From free time playing Uno or watching a movie, each day was filled with plenty of great activities and surprises. We even walked around Tulane University one day! Meals at the park, the airboat tour on the swamp, I mean I could go on and on about all the great things we did. I definitely recommend this trip, especially if you prefer to stay in the United States. You won’t necessarily get the culture shock that I got in previous trips to Peru and Costa Rica, but you absolutely will have a great time in a new city, nonetheless. Rustic Pathways is a great company that does great things and I can’t wait for Fiji next year!

This summer was my first time traveling with Rustic Pathways and I truly could not have hoped for a better first experience. I went on the program with one of my best friends and as soon as we landed we were greeted by 2/3 of our group leaders who were excited and enthusiastic from the start. During the program I earned 40 community service hours and while the hours were long and the weather was hot, it really didn't feel like work since the people you work with are so passionate about what they do. Partnering with people/organizations that care so much about giving back to the community makes the work much enjoyable and in my opinion impactful. Outside of community service we got plenty of time to explore the city . One of my favorite non-service days from the trip was when we went to Satchmo Fest ( A music festival dedicated to Louis Armstrong) even though it started raining as soon as we got there and by the time we left the streets were ankle deep in water it didn't stop us from having fun. After leaving the festival we ended up having a "hurricane" party (there wasn't actually a hurricane, just a lot of rain) my group spent the evening curled up watching movies and eating pizza. The group leaders also play a huge role in making the experience what it is, I can't imagine the trip without them. They taught me so much and even managed to make chores around the house enjoyable. By the end of my two weeks in New Orleans I was wishing I could stay for two more! I couldn't be more thankful for the time I was able to spend in New Orleans and can't wait to see what next summer will bring.

This summer I went on the trip of a lifetime! Spending time in both Thailand and Laos, I ziplined across waterfalls, belayed down cliff faces, boated down the Mekong, saw river dolphins, and most importantly met the most incredible people. The leaders were all wonderful, each with great stories to share and advice to give, and everyone was so friendly. The trip was excellently organized (like clockwork) and the Base House was amazing!! Definitely pack for two weeks of adventure (bring athletic shorts!!) but do not overpack (I made that mistake). This trip opened my eyes to all the adventure that is out there, and since returning I have been so much more active!! I would 10/10 recommend this program to all adventure and travel lovers.

Traveling across the world alone is scary. You don't know anybody, you don't know what to expect, you're visiting another country with a different culture, and the food is weird. But what people don't think about is that everybody is thinking the same thing. Nobody knows what is going to happen during the two and a half weeks, and that is what makes it such an adventure.

This past summer, I traveled from New York City to Frankfurt to Singapore to Bangkok to Chaing Mai, with a group of 25 other girls and 1 boy. During those 45 hours of travel, I had no idea that I would meet some of my best friends in the world. Everybody was kind, loving, cared about the environment, cared about all cultures and all people, and genuinely wanted to spend every waking moment living in the present time.

My group spent one whole week living on the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, where we trained to be mahouts. We were each paired with a partner, an elephant, and a professional mahout (or elephant caretaker). My elephant's name was Boon Mee, and my mahout's name was P. Neuk. During those six days, I learned so much from a man who I did not speak one word of the same language as. P. Neuk taught me and my partner to love ourselves, everybody, and everything around us. He taught us to care for our surroundings and be happy ALL THE TIME! We woke up every morning and retrieved our elephants from the jungle and brought them to a nearby body of water where we would give them their baths. Then we would ride them back to the TECC, and spend a day in beautiful Lampang, Thailand, before repeating the bathing schedule during the evening. My time at the TECC was life changing, and I could not be more thankful for P. Neuk and Boon Mee for teaching me how to cherish every moment in life.

For the second week of the trip, my group traveled all around Thailand visiting Buddhist temples, museums, waterfalls, and much more. My favorite moment of the entire two weeks that I was away was the day that we visited a Buddhist Monastery in the mountains. I remember being told that the climb to the monastery was over 500 steps. The whole group groaned and we were all dreading the day that we had to walk up all those stairs. But when we got there and started walking, I noticed that there were signs up against all of the trees that had Buddhist quotes about suffering and sacrifice, making me think about everything differently. The steps were torturous, but reading the quotes made it worth it and so did the destination at the top. When we arrived at the monastery, I remember seeing the hundreds of Buddhas lining the inside of the main area. I remember seeing pictures of renowned monks hanging from all the walls. At the time that we were there, it was a very important Buddhist holiday and all of the Buddhists were visiting the temples and monasteries to pay their respects to Buddha and monks. On this day we got to meditate with a monk at the top of a beautiful mountain in the middle of Thailand. I will never forget how surreal it felt to be meditating with a man who devoted his entire life to following the footsteps of Buddha while sitting in a place so breathtaking and unknown, listening to him speak Thai words and feel like I knew what he was saying even though there was such a barrier between us.

Thailand changed my life, and it will change yours to. I truly cannot say that I disliked any moment of this trip, no matter how hot and humid it was. Please travel to Thailand and experience the same amount of wonder that I did this summer!