Copyright 2006 iamonthemove.com Karen Evers's new travel stories on iamonthemove.com en http://www.isonthemove.com http://karen.isonthemove.com <p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman;">MY LIFE AS A VOLUNTEER</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">This is how it all started, when Michella and I decided two years ago we wanted to do some volunteering. We sat at the table at work (Zadkine) and started to look on the Internet for possibilities to volunteer in Africa till be bumped into pictures of Thailand. And yes like that we decided we wanted to go to Thailand. </span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">We signed up for a social project in Ratchaburi (FLOT 2), it wasn&rsquo;t clear what we were really going to do.</span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:30:56 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">After almost 30 hours of traveling from Laos via Bangkok we finally arrived&nbsp;in Cambodia. I was unprepared, didn't know anything about the country, history. I expected it to be no different than Thailand and Laos but it didn't take to long for me to think otherwise. As soon as I crossed the border at Poi Pet I could see the roughness of Cambodia. The people looked different and it was very dusted. Teenagers working in construction, children fighting for candies, people spitting, old rusty tuk tuks and people pushing&nbsp;caddies&nbsp;with pile&nbsp;of products of the market. I immediately fell different but still didn'... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:33:11 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">On the 17th of July as&nbsp;we arrived at the border of Thailand I saw typical Thai long tailed boats&nbsp;on the river shore for&nbsp;crossing the Mekong River to Laos. I couldn't help it wonder if that is the boat that will take me to the other side of the river when I saw it loaded with backpacks. I thought there is no way we'll arrive dry in Laos. So I went to the immigration officer to get my stamp and returned to riverside. When I came back I saw my friends already sitting in a boat fully loaded leaving no space for&nbsp;me. Damn it I have to go through this alone. I slowly put one foot in the boat, followed by the other one and sat quietly till we started to slowly float away from the shore. Than suddenly&nbsp;the boatman&nbsp;starte... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:47:35 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "></span> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">We are moving Fast</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />On the 6th of July I arrived in Chiang Mai after a 6 hours bus trip. While traveling in Chiang Mai by bus I realized that it was different from what I expected. Chiang Mai was far more modern than I expected so I was a little bit disappointed. When we arrived we have been attacked by the the tuk tuk drivers. They wanted to take us to some guesthouses; I think they get commission for every client they bring to the guesthouses. So we went with them but soon we realized that the guesthouses weren't what we're looking for. They told us that they will bring us to other guesthou... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:58:15 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:ApplyBreakingRules /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:UseAsianBreakRules /> <w:UseFELayout /> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables /> <w:SnapToGridInCell /> <w:ApplyBreakingRules /> <w:WrapTextWithPunct /> <w:UseAsianBreakRules /> <w:UseFELayout /> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--></p><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" ... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:37:32 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>On 25th of June we ( Sharay, Mya, Michella and I) flew from Dusseldorf to Dubai. When we got out of the airport it was really hot. So hot I became red. Something I haven't felt before. I think it was approximately &gt;40 degrees Celsius. And it was crowded and no woman to be seen.</p> <p>At the airport we took a pink cab to Umm Sequim 3. It's a typical ladies taxi. Only women are allowed to travel PINK! On the main street to Umm Sequim I saw skyscrapers and even more skyscrapers. Finally we got at the Jumeira Road where the beautiful Burj Al Arab and Jumeira Beach Hotel was to be spotted. After driving, stopping, thinking and phone calls we arrived at the Palm Springs Villas where we stayed. (Hanna and Albert&rsquo;s place)</p> <p>Of course there was no staying inside, not even after ... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:36:10 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>Siii....I am ready for my trip. It has been a busy month for me.</p> <p>Last week I went backpack shopping. I bought a Low Alpine backpack Cerro Torre, 55+15 ltrs. I am totally in love with it and can't wait till it's heavy enough to hit the road. Got my flashlight, ORS, sterile kit, sleeping bag......everything a real backpacker need! Yes I can consider myself a backpacker/blackpacker now!</p> <p>In the weekend of may 17th we had a preparation weekend. They told us the do's and don'ts as a backpacker in Asia, Thailand. Like what to do if someone served you water? Would you drink it? What if it is contaminated and you get sick? What to do when you get sick?</p> <p>I also have all my vaccinations now. I have been very brave assuming the fact that I'm a real coward when it comes to vac... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Fri, 30 May 2008 12:08:26 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>To the Topkapi Palace! The&nbsp;Topkapi Palace&nbsp;is a palace in Istanbul which was the official and primary residence in the city of the&nbsp;Ottoman Sultans&nbsp;from 1465 to&nbsp;1853. The palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. It was really beautiful. You could see the Sultans dresses and jewelry. Too bad we werent alowed to take pictures.</p> <p>We also visited the Netherlands Institute, we had a lecture about the influence of the byzantine empire. After that we did some shopping in Taksim and had dinner with the professor afterwards at Mavi-zade. After the dinner we decided to walk back to Sulthanamet. I would really reconsider it if I had the chance. We walked for over one hour and all I could see was the walls of Constantinople.</p> <p>Istanbul Un... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Fri, 30 May 2008 10:48:48 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>Randyyyy arrived!! I was looking forward to see him. Marye and I took a cab to the airport to pick him up. We were so happy to see him. We stayed for one hour at the airport waiting/bargaining for a cheap cab, which did not happen. So we went back&nbsp;to the zone, paying the tourist price. As we arrived at the villa we took randy around to show him our appartment, pool area and beach. Later that day I went to El fish fritanga with Marjo and her mom and aunt. Where we enjoyed the sunset and ate shrimpies con marisco.</p> <p>The next day we went to the bushes with horses!:). We went horseback riding at the Loma Bonita Ranch. We&nbsp;took a 2-hours horseback riding around gorgeous natural environs with the most beautiful and docile horses.<br />We ride through the lush tropical jungle wh... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Fri, 30 May 2008 10:05:25 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>This weekend in cancun was the hottest weekend. There was superbowl sunday, elections and there was CHICHEN ITZAAAA!!</p> <p>David took us for a trip&nbsp;downtown Cancun where the locals live. It was nice to see something else besides the hotel zone. We ate in a typical mexican restaurant with a nice view on Isla Mujeres. I ordered aros negro. Black rice with seafood, really black!</p> <p>At&nbsp;night we went to AZUCAR with Marjo, Guillermo and Jonathan. It was a latin club, so Marye brought her dancing shoes. A night of sweat and salsa! Guillermo teaches salsa in Cancun and Jonathan is a professional dancer who just won the Mexican Championship. And I practise salsa every now and than. So we had enough to make it a great night. Which we did.</p> <p>There was this English&nbsp;guy ... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Fri, 30 May 2008 09:46:36 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>January&nbsp;30th. We woke up in the morning, lazy ass hell from the heavy night before. So we decided to take it easy this day and lay by the pool the whole day. Enjoying&nbsp;Cancun sun!!!&nbsp;Later we returned to the apartment to eat shrimpies ceaser salad. Ohh yes that practically the only thing we ate...ohh and also pasta a la Maria! (Marye's pasta) In the evening we had visitors and that was it for the day.</p> <p>January 31st. It's moms B-day. I woke up thinking about this special day and&nbsp; how&nbsp;I would celebrate it. So I wen to David's to call my mom to wish her a Happy B-day. And I promise I would celebrate it with some tequila...</p> <p>I returned to the apartment grabbed my tankini and went for some swimming in the ocean. Enjoying it to the fullest.</p> <p>At nigh... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Fri, 30 May 2008 08:46:20 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>We arrived in Istanbul at midnight and went directly to our Hotel. By the time we were reaching our guesthouse we realised that it wasn't really what we expected. Well they told us what to expect but still,&nbsp;we tried to be optimistic about it. Well we shouldn't...the least you expect the lower the dissapointment. But we had no choice and after all we were only paying 11 euros a night.</p> <p>After criticizing we took a shower trying not to touch the dirty bathroom. Went upstairs and swore that we won't use the sheets provided by the hotel to cover. We jumped into bed...trying to get a few hours of sleep....it didn't take long before the prayers started. It was like a loud Arabic battle all over Istanbul. I was praying for it to stop cause I really wanted to sleep.....it helped caus... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Thu, 22 May 2008 00:20:19 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>I flew to&nbsp;Cancun on 28th of&nbsp;February. When I arrived my friend Marye was already waiting for me outside. Waiting with a big smile....wearing her shorts and sleeveless shirts....The weather was sooo GOOD...compared to Amsterdam.</p> <p>We jumped&nbsp;in Davids&nbsp;explorer and headed towards the tourist zone. On my way to Villas Marlin where we stayed I saw Wet n Wild. Followed by a beautiful clear blue sea.&nbsp;I couldn't wait to feel the white sand between my toes.</p> <p>Immediately after arriving at Villas Marlin I went to the beach which is less than 2 minutes walking from our condo. Too bad it was already 17:30 but I was right on time to see the sun set. I was happy to be there and didn't want to spent another minute inside. So we went to eat Sushi. We ordered or own ... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:36:35 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: " lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today I received all the information on my very historical trip. This is going to be my first Erasmus University study trip. I'll be leaving om may 5th and returning on may 11th. Visiting&nbsp;the following places during our trip:</span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; line-height: normal; tab-stops: list 18.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: " lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><sp... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:27:43 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>Our second day in Paris, we were still open touring, getting involved in accidents...yeah our tour guide almost drove over this guy on the scooter, I felt the bus hitting something but didn't realise what was happening untill the bus stopped....walking downtown like a&nbsp;real Parisienne...we totally wish. Feeling like Carrie Bradshaw....</p> <p>At one time we got to this higly secured street, where we witnessed designer clothing all over people....and of course I had to asked to officer what was&nbsp;happening.....why&nbsp;wasn't I invited...ahahaha...The only thing he was able to say in english was ''MONEY POWER STREET'' Yes he did say enough. But he was nice enough to let us walk through the street. Another block away all I could see was DIOR, CHANEL...there I was in Paris....only ... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:00:31 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>We went to dreizen to buy our ticket. This was really a last minute thing. We were there on wednesday....the travel agent tried to get us a place on Air France on Friday noon. But we had to wait untill she gets a confimation for us to pay. So she called the next day...and I had to ran from my work to pay my ticket.</p> <p>When I got home I realised that we didn't even have a place to stay yet. So I had to get that fixed also. Calling moms and stuff for creditcards...haha ....but we did it!!!</p> <p>It was all done....within 12 hours we would be in PARIS! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH</p> info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:38:23 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>Paris est des villes les plus magnifiques qui l'Europe a pu conna&icirc;tre. La ville de l'amour, la ville du bon&nbsp;vin et la ville o&ugrave; tu peux jouir interminablement.&nbsp; La ville luxueuse qui tu fais tout sentir..</p> <p>Soon as I arrived at the airport Charles de Gaulle with my friend Eurydice, I felt good. I was finally in France. We bought our travelticket for the weekend and hit the subway. At Gare du Nord we catched another metro to Place du Republique where we stayed. Once there we were trying to find our low budget Hotel Victoria. It was quiet an experience. People were driving like crazy around the square. But we managed to somehow get ot the other side of the street where we finally spotted our Hotel. We left our stuff there and went to get something to eat.</p> ... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:33:21 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>Finally, We did it! After thousands phone calls and negotiations with SIW we finally got a place in a volunteering project.</p> <p>This camp is located in Damnoen Saduak district in Ratchaburi province. It's organised around the Mae Klong River and dozens of man-made channels, hosting the biggest floating market of the country: Damnoen Saduak. Improvement of the environmental protection is needed. We will be part of the environmental campaign in this district,&nbsp;we will contribute to the cleaning of the Klongs (channels) around the old floating market, together with the locals. Additionally, we will teach English and give workshops for the primary and secondary school.&nbsp;We will also learn about the history of the city Ratchaburi and basic Thai language. We shouldn't be afraid to... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:03:00 +0200 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>From Amsterdam to Milan Malpensa, from Milan Malpensa to Miami International Airport.</p> <p>As soon as I arrived there with Stacey and Duane we immediately went to Dollars Rent a Car, where we took a shuttle to their main office and rented&nbsp;a minivan. It was nice and comfortable so I can't complain. Soon after we got our minivan we went directly to the Hotel, left our luggage and hit the road.</p> <p>We went to Aventura Mall to have dinner by Cajun and Grill. Yummy...you can get Cajun and Grill in allmost all the malls in Miami.</p> <p>Then we drove around in Hialeah listening to power 96 all day. It was insane really&nbsp; because they were playing the same song over and over again. We belong together from Mariah Carey, Hate it or love it from the game.</p> <p>It was fun being... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:26:51 +0100 http://karen.isonthemove.com <p>Curacao O beautiful Curacao. My place of birth.</p> <p>I have been going to this Island for two years in a row. Celebrating Christmas and New Year with my dear family and friends. And also for weddings, somehow all of my friends are getting married. So I probably have to go this year again. But I love it.</p> <p>Curacao lies a few miles from the coast of Venezuela surrounded by beautiful sea and other Islands&nbsp;in the Caribbean...</p> <p>When I arrived on december 25th of 2006 it was a whole new experience cause it was the first time I went back to Curacao after living in Holland for four years. I didn't know what to expect and I was a little bit&nbsp;concerned about my safety bacause of all the stories I heard when I was in Holland. As soon as I arrived I was so happy to see my f... info@isonthemove.com (Karen Evers) Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:44:35 +0100