Squall Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 This September I'm going to be in Costa Rica and I'm going to be helping out a group of doctors there for a few weeks. It costs $1000, and I'm paying my own way, I can hardly wait, it will be the experience of a lifetime. I'm getting my passport and everything now so I'll be ready. I'm not getting paid to do any of this, and I'm going to be eating the same food as the locals, it's not going to be a vacation either, I'm going to be working for a good 12-14 hours a day. Of course, once I come back I'll be sure to share my experience with everyone here. The only other country I've ever been to is Jonathanland, and I reckon this will be a vastly different experience than visiting a first-world city-state. Anyone have any words of advice or words of advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orogun01 Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Don't talk to strangers. specially if they have candy. I'd say the answer to that question is kind of like the answer to "who's the sucker in this poker game?"* *If you can't tell, it's you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walsingham Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 If things look a bit dodgy, act crazy. Also, always carry a set of or two of cheap pliers. "It wasn't lies. It was just... bull****"." -Elwood Blues tarna's dead; processing... complete. Disappointed by Universe. RIP Hades/Sand/etc. Here's hoping your next alt has a harp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monte Carlo Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Never eat yellow snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walsingham Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Never eat yellow snow. What, never? "It wasn't lies. It was just... bull****"." -Elwood Blues tarna's dead; processing... complete. Disappointed by Universe. RIP Hades/Sand/etc. Here's hoping your next alt has a harp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosbjerg Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 "The only other country I've ever been to is Jonathanland" Hmm. Fortune favors the bald. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monte Carlo Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Never eat yellow snow. What, never? Why run the risk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humodour Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 This September I'm going to be in Costa Rica and I'm going to be helping out a group of doctors there for a few weeks. It costs $1000, and I'm paying my own way, I can hardly wait, it will be the experience of a lifetime. I'm getting my passport and everything now so I'll be ready. I'm not getting paid to do any of this, and I'm going to be eating the same food as the locals, it's not going to be a vacation either, I'm going to be working for a good 12-14 hours a day. Of course, once I come back I'll be sure to share my experience with everyone here. The only other country I've ever been to is Jonathanland, and I reckon this will be a vastly different experience than visiting a first-world city-state. Anyone have any words of advice or words of advice? Eso suena excelente! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgoth Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 Hey, yo tambi Rain makes everything better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monte Carlo Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 I'll be doing ... community building. Because of course they couldn't possibly do that for themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walsingham Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 I'll be doing ... community building. Because of course they couldn't possibly do that for themselves. Sssh. Let the wee fellah get excited. There's no sense in telling him that for the same money the project could employ 10 or 20 locals to do the work better, and retain the skills in the community. It's an adventure. He should just enjoy it. "It wasn't lies. It was just... bull****"." -Elwood Blues tarna's dead; processing... complete. Disappointed by Universe. RIP Hades/Sand/etc. Here's hoping your next alt has a harp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monte Carlo Posted June 5, 2011 Share Posted June 5, 2011 (edited) It grips my **** that students go on vanity travelling projects and kid themselves they're making a difference. They ain't. Edited June 5, 2011 by Gorth Language Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nepenthe Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 I'm agreeing with Monte here (I must have been too long in the sun). You're a cheery wee bugger, Nep. Have I ever said that? Reapercussions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walsingham Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 It grips my **** that students go on vanity travelling projects and kid themselves they're making a difference. They ain't. Actually I'd say that they are. But the way that they are doesn't sit well with anyone who isn't a filthy public school educated egomaniac like myself. Quite simply, turning up as a foreigner adds a litle glamour and excitement. It makes people feel that the outside world is really interested. A bit like Prince Harry coming round and shaking your hand. It's just some bloke, really. But it straightens the sinews. (I'm in so much trouble now. Bracing for impact) "It wasn't lies. It was just... bull****"." -Elwood Blues tarna's dead; processing... complete. Disappointed by Universe. RIP Hades/Sand/etc. Here's hoping your next alt has a harp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurlshort Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 It depends on what type of community building they are doing. I'd say it is pretty helpful to go out and build houses and stuff. It may not make a gigantic difference to the country as a whole, but the family that gets to live in a house will be pretty danged happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humodour Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 I'll be doing ... community building. Because of course they couldn't possibly do that for themselves. It makes me sad people like you exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monte Carlo Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 Possibly, but we do so get yourself used to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walsingham Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 I'll be doing ... community building. Because of course they couldn't possibly do that for themselves. It makes me sad people like you exist. I'm confused. You're sad that it would be easier and better for the local people to use the same money to do the work they need? Why? Surely that's noble AND efficient. "It wasn't lies. It was just... bull****"." -Elwood Blues tarna's dead; processing... complete. Disappointed by Universe. RIP Hades/Sand/etc. Here's hoping your next alt has a harp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orogun01 Posted June 6, 2011 Share Posted June 6, 2011 I'll be doing ... community building. Because of course they couldn't possibly do that for themselves. It makes me sad people like you exist. I'm confused. You're sad that it would be easier and better for the local people to use the same money to do the work they need? Why? Surely that's noble AND efficient. Wals you're forgetting the injection to the economy of foreign currency, at the exchange rate that student will probably will give money to the community at almost the actual cost of the building. Or maybe i'm missing something? Do they get pay to build it, or is it charity? Or do they get their cost covered? I'd say the answer to that question is kind of like the answer to "who's the sucker in this poker game?"* *If you can't tell, it's you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Architect Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 I am also going to Costa Rica - 2nd January till early Feb (5 weeks or so). I'll be doing a mix of environmental conservation work and community building. Should be exciting. My trip is half-holiday, though - 2 weeks of adventure sports. I am really looking forward to it. Muy bien, adi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monte Carlo Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 My points are, variously - The folks who get a house made for them are thrilled because they don't have to do it themselves, hey I'd love it if some clueless student flew in from Australia and mowed my lawn for free. Aid turns people into dependants, not humans. On top of that, charity begins at home. Like Australia doesn't have deprived areas and a downtrodden indigenous people who might need a helping hand? I remember putting a tenner in the pot for Live Aid back in 1985. My money probably bought a box of 5.45 ammo for a Kalashnikov, or went towards a limousine. I think aid is part of the problem and free trade part of the solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orogun01 Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 My points are, variously - The folks who get a house made for them are thrilled because they don't have to do it themselves, hey I'd love it if some clueless student flew in from Australia and mowed my lawn for free. Aid turns people into dependants, not humans. On top of that, charity begins at home. Like Australia doesn't have deprived areas and a downtrodden indigenous people who might need a helping hand? I remember putting a tenner in the pot for Live Aid back in 1985. My money probably bought a box of 5.45 ammo for a Kalashnikov, or went towards a limousine. I think aid is part of the problem and free trade part of the solution. And i'm sure that the villages that depend on the supplies bought by aid would beg to differ. Had you stopped short of being a complete cynic, it would had been easier to see that while aid may not solve the problem it alleviates its burden on the affected. They are in trouble and they need help, are you really going to be nitpicking at the reasons. I'd say the answer to that question is kind of like the answer to "who's the sucker in this poker game?"* *If you can't tell, it's you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walsingham Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Monte might sound all angry and cynical, but I should point out that I heard an almost identical argument from one of the original founders of Oxfam a few years ago. To my mind, the simplest analogy is antibiotics. A short course will save your life, a long course will endanger it in all sorts of interesting new ways. "It wasn't lies. It was just... bull****"." -Elwood Blues tarna's dead; processing... complete. Disappointed by Universe. RIP Hades/Sand/etc. Here's hoping your next alt has a harp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humodour Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 Monte might sound all angry and cynical, but I should point out that I heard an almost identical argument from one of the original founders of Oxfam a few years ago. To my mind, the simplest analogy is antibiotics. A short course will save your life, a long course will endanger it in all sorts of interesting new ways. Monte (and you for that matter) didn't even bother enquiring as to what type of community building I would be doing before he went off on his tirade about 'foreign aid'. It is entirely accurate, to my mind, to describe him as angry and cynical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monte Carlo Posted June 7, 2011 Share Posted June 7, 2011 ^ Wow, another sleepless night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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