Comments on Nathan Bransford, Author: In Praise of "Voluntourism"

WOW!!! What an amazing trip, Nathan. So awesome th...

2009-07-24T10:08:10.772-07:00

WOW!!! What an amazing trip, Nathan. So awesome that you got to go!

How amazingly cute was that picture of you with th...

2009-07-18T06:13:12.989-07:00

How amazingly cute was that picture of you with the llama! And you looked ok, too.

Yup, old joke. :)

I was really impressed by the photos, and yes, the...

2009-07-16T09:36:40.056-07:00

I was really impressed by the photos, and yes, the llama/alpaco was my favorite. Actually they all were, so much that I had to check out the websites you mentioned, which got me started thinking how great it would be to volunteer for one of the on-going projects. Thank you, Nathan.

I think we have to rename you. Saint Nathan. ...

2009-07-16T09:24:29.513-07:00

I think we have to rename you.

Saint Nathan.

coll

Awesome pics. Awesome time. Awesome deed. Good jo...

2009-07-16T06:33:41.886-07:00

Awesome pics. Awesome time. Awesome deed.

Good job.

Word verification: cherredr. Accidentally putting cheese through the shredder.

Thanks for posting pics. The trip looks amazing, a...

2009-07-15T14:24:58.058-07:00

Thanks for posting pics. The trip looks amazing, and you guys are awesome for doing it.

Hi Nathan, Thanks for sharing your experience in C...

2009-07-15T11:13:59.397-07:00

Hi Nathan,
Thanks for sharing your experience in Cusco. I support the Casa De Milagros at www.chandlersky.org. It is an orphanage in Cusco Peru that a woman, Mama Kia, from the U.S.started.If any of your readers are traveling to that area, the Casa is always in need of supplies, as you now know how hard it is to get things to those areas. Check out their website for all the info. Thank you for your service! Danielle

Here, here. It looks like you had an amazing trip!...

2009-07-15T09:00:01.895-07:00

Here, here. It looks like you had an amazing trip!

Thank you for posting! When I submitted my applica...

2009-07-15T08:35:36.157-07:00

Thank you for posting! When I submitted my application I had no idea that we chose the same cause. Now I have a better visual of what I can expect if I get selected.

Again, thank you for posting the link. I was not aware that a program like this existed. I am so glad you enjoyed yourself.

Amazing. Thanks for sharing the photos and the sto...

2009-07-15T08:16:34.074-07:00

Amazing. Thanks for sharing the photos and the story of your trip!!

Aren't these types of trips the most rewarding...

2009-07-15T08:04:55.595-07:00

Aren't these types of trips the most rewarding way to travel? My husband and I used to lead trips like this to Cuba, Argentina, and Chile. After several years of doing this, traveling just for fun seems a bit empty. Thankfully neither of us is very shy so when we do travel for fun we usually find ourselves interacting with the locals in some form or fashion.

Awesome! It's always nice to see an outpouring...

2009-07-15T07:33:00.001-07:00

Awesome! It's always nice to see an outpouring of love and friendship for our brothers and sisters.

We often take for granted what we've been blessed with in this country and seeing how other people live really makes you appreciate life, especially when they make the most of what they have.

Thanks for sharing!

What a cool trip. (And thanks for humoring us with...

2009-07-15T07:26:54.268-07:00

What a cool trip. (And thanks for humoring us with the photo of the llama.) Seriously, it is humbling to see how some people struggle, when we have so much - and yet how joyful they are. Thanks for sharing.

Good for you! I often write about similar trips f...

2009-07-15T07:23:37.016-07:00

Good for you!

I often write about similar trips for the local newspaper--working now on a package about two individuals who volunteered overseas for Habitat for Humanity--and the stories never fail to inspire me.

Back in 2000/01/02 I lived in Cuzco and worked as ...

2009-07-15T07:20:41.993-07:00

Back in 2000/01/02 I lived in Cuzco and worked as a tour guide. In my spare afternoons I taught English to the street kids so they could use this to sell wares to tha kazillions of tourists. Their enthusiasm, laughter and beautiful, smiling faces will always be with me. I learnt a lot about the humanity that changed my soul profoundly - I am so glad you had a chance to have this experience.

Wow. Phenomenal, fantastic. You know how everyone...

2009-07-15T07:18:37.600-07:00

Wow. Phenomenal, fantastic.

You know how everyone says they'd really really like to have Nathan for their literary agent? I think he's just quadrupled the number of really's for a whole lot of writers. Me included!

Yes, I know, synopsis, plot, market, economy, style, will the dang thing sell?

Regardless, Pablo Neruda smiles.

Did you sing llama llama duck ( http://www.albinob...

2009-07-15T06:17:35.253-07:00

Did you sing llama llama duck ( http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/llama ) while you were there?

I heart llamas. Super duper, Nathan. I love that y...

2009-07-15T06:07:29.160-07:00

I heart llamas. Super duper, Nathan. I love that you did this! Also, pictures are fun.

Nathan, this is amazing. Thanks for promoting volu...

2009-07-15T05:01:51.826-07:00

Nathan, this is amazing. Thanks for promoting volunteerism. It's great to travel too, but there are plenty of opportunities in everyone's backyard too. Big Brother, Big Sister, Habitat for Humanity, Nursing Homes, Soup Kitchens. The need has never been greater as more Americans slip into near poverty with this economy.

One question - no photos of your bride? Did you she make promise not to post a picture of her?

Kim

Nathan, brings back fond memories: I was in Cuzco ...

2009-07-15T03:28:03.778-07:00

Nathan,
brings back fond memories: I was in Cuzco and Machu Piccu way back in 1971 -- not as a volunteer but as a backpacking nut. One of the greatest times of my life, so thanks for reminding me.

I have worked as a volunteer in India and I can only agree with Nathan that what you get is far, for more than you can ever give. There is nothing so rewarding.

@Steven Till:
I am from Guyana - glad you liked it! And you are correct that people there are mostly content despite dire circumstances.
And by the way, anyone looking for a proper (paid) job in Guyana supervising a coconut/coffee farm and eco-lodge in the Interior, as well as volunteer work with the Amerindians, please contact me.

"It is truly an eye-opening and wonderful experience to visit a 3rd world country and help the people there. I've been to Linden, Guyana (just a few countries over from Peru), and the people there are incredibly happy and content, even with unemployment sometimes approaching 50% (and we complain about 9.5%) and people living in houses that are one-room 15x15 ft."

What is the group you went as a part of? Curtis Br...

2009-07-14T23:14:30.484-07:00

What is the group you went as a part of? Curtis Brown? That's cool. I had no clue that groups put trips like this together. dur.

Well, that's a very generous and nice thing yo...

2009-07-14T22:56:28.264-07:00

Well, that's a very generous and nice thing you did. I hope those people would have granted you and your team all the blessings they could pour (and I personally wish that I, too, could reprieve such beautiful experiences by helping others, especially rustic blokes).

Ah..ha; the light comes on! I may be slow, but lu...

2009-07-14T21:42:13.188-07:00

Ah..ha; the light comes on! I may be slow, but lurking in corners eventually pays off. I am glad you had fun on your "voluntourism" trip, and am happy, Nathan, you shared so much of your personal life with our group.

And thus the enlightenment. From the varied comments, I take it this post is unusual in that it shows you in something other than a professional light. You did not ignore my previous questions for some personal information (ie: your first queries and such). You were sticking to professional ethics.
Thanks for the lesson; and thanks for a glimpse into your private causes.

The pictures are beautiful, and if I may be so bold, seem to have also drawn a great many followers into the concept of voluntourism. A worthy sentiment indeed. I hope to see more of your photo journal; the pictures are inspiring and poignant.

Thanks for sharing this part of yourself with us.

There were places I went, when I lived in Colorado...

2009-07-14T21:36:14.180-07:00

There were places I went, when I lived in Colorado, where the altitude was so high, when you got there, all you could do was sit around and laugh. Really!

I think you went higher!

Nice guy. Friend to llamas and writers and little kids too. Wow!

I've always thought you were a cool guy - this...

2009-07-14T21:31:05.510-07:00

I've always thought you were a cool guy - this just confirms it.