It’s with a heavy but inspired heart that I write the first blog post since the Give Backpacker’s founder Lindsay M. Hawley’s passing on New Years Day 2017. She was more then a best friend, she was my idol who made me want to give back, travel and live more. Lindsay was a guiding light for so many of us, and her shocking and sudden death left us all speechless. Unsure how to deal with the loss and feeling the urge to do what she always inspired me to do, I chose to embark on a wild journey through South East Asia that April, flying out of LAX on 4-14-17. Following in her footsteps quite literally, I researched all the places she went to and asked a couple mutual friends if they’d like to join my quest to keep Give Backpackers alive. Even though our kind hearted friend is gone, we can keep her spirit with us in so many ways. This was my way of keeping Lindsay close, and I learned so much along the way. I encourage others to follow their heart when dealing with pain and loss, it helped me so much and I cannot wait for the next trip. This is a brief summary of the latest Give Backpackers journey, hopefully I’ll see you on the next one!

I flew to Siem Reap with Elliott Breit, a friend of Lindsay’s and Give Backpacker advocate from San Diego. Carissa Castro, a long time friend and fellow model that worked for Lindsay’s other company LMH promotions (yeah, Linz was a badass), had already arrived the night before. Without planning it this way, we had arrived in Cambodia on their last day of the Khmer New Year, a week long celebration that involved water fights and a massive concert in the streets. It was divine timing and a fitting introduction to this wild part of the world, and we returned to Sam So Guesthouse that night soaked and covered in baby powder. Long story. The following morning we got up at 4am to watch the sun rise over the 900 year old Angkor Wat temple, a touching experience to welcome in the New Year that moved me to tears. We explored a few other ancient temples and received a blessed string bracelet by a monk before returning to Siem Reap to escape the extreme humidity and heat. Travel Tip: don’t go to Asia in the middle of their summer.

The next day we met with Sedtha Long, the founder and director of Build Your Future Today. Lindsay had worked with this incredible organization that builds wells, roads and schools for nearby villages, and he told us about all their amazing endeavors to help build the future of this impoverished country that has faced so much anguish with the Khmer Rouge genocide not that long ago. The following day we went out in a truck with some of the BFT team who showed us local villages and schools that they have helped. It was such an eye opening experience to pump a well and walk around the home of a local family, seeing how they live so simply but happily.

We walked down a dusty road to a small hut that was covered in hand paintings and surrounded by palm trees. This was the local preschool, a quaint structure filled with young children who were playing with puzzles and toys inside. We joined the kids and helped them practice english, learning from each other in the most precious ways. Next we visited a village supported by BFT and their kind sponsors, who donated sewing machines so the women can have classes and learn how to start their own business. It was mango season, so we picked fruit and ate with the local kids, laughing at the puppies and chickens running around everywhere. Afterwards, we were so lucky to witness another New Years tradition where the local elders gathered to make food and crafts for another celebration and they fed us the tastiest lunch; a local specialty of fish and vegetable soup.

Over the next week our eyes were opened to so much visiting schools and villages of all shapes and sizes, reading and working with the kids, playing sports and drawing, bringing them donations and teaching them english. They also taught us -about love and compassion, living simply and full of joy no matter the situation. These people have so little compared to what we do in western countries -materialistically- but so much more in other ways. Their lives are full of hardship and struggle, with no opportunities until groups like BFT came along, and yet they show so much more gratitude and happiness then most people I know. I am so grateful for the team at Build Your Future today for showing us so much and allowing us to go where no tourists get to see. If you are thinking of going to Cambodia and want to see how the locals really live, leave a comment and let me know. They also accept donations, and to help install a well is surprisingly affordable. Making a real difference here is possible and you can actually see the results!

 

THAILAND

After a long night bus to Thailand and terrifying Tuk Tuk ride to a hostel, we had arrived in Bangkok. Here we had a meeting and tour set up with the NightLight Foundation, an initiative to help women out of sex trafficking and prostitution. Sadly these issues are far too common in this part of the world, with men traveling here specifically for sex tourism. NightLight goes on night visits to the red light district, offering women a way out and giving them places to stay and legitimate jobs to work. It was rough to hear about what these women go through, but it’s so good to know there are groups helping them. We bought jewelry and clothes these women have made, helping to support their business ventures and spread the word. I would like to go back and help further on another trip, as this one was more to scout and see where we can be helping people. If you know of any organizations that would be aligned with the Give Backpackers mission, please drop me a line!

After visiting the stunning island of Koh Tao for a much needed beach break, we ventured up to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Known for attracting hippy creative types, the city was full of life with bustling night markets and live music. We heard about a farmstay through an inflight magazine, so upon contacting them we decided it was just the alternative experience we were looking for off the beaten path where we could volunteer and experience the local culture. “Happy Healing Home” was nestled in the mountains a few hours west of the city, and after looking for the mini “bus” like a wild goose chase we finally made it on the open-ended vehicle and rode out through gorgeous untouched countryside. Farmstays are popular in Asia and we exchanged a few hours of work a day for invaluable knowledge of the land, culture and food traditions. Sleeping in a hut listening to thunderstorms and monkeys, Hanging out with the thai kids, Collecting food for ourselves and the families water buffalos was an experience I will cherish forever.

After traveling to Myanmar (Burma) for temple hopping and soul searching, we parted ways and I was off to India and Nepal for an adventure of a lifetime. The people I met, the things I saw and the food I ate deserves a novel of its own along the lines of Eat Pray Love so i’ll leave you with this- Travel More, Give Back and Live More Happy. Your body, mind and soul will thank you for it. We love you Lindsay and your dreams will continue to live on through Give Backpackers, I promise.

Namaste.

~Kelly Pantaleoni