Volunteering Volunteering? Search the web is my advice. There are so many organizations out there, especially working within Africa. Search, research and them follow your heart and breathe as you work with the world. The best advice I can give, from personal experience, is forever follow your heart and travel with your love and compassion in which you have to offer to all people and places we exist. Thank you! Maybe I'll see you in Africa soon.
In Peace,
cam
I am impressed by what you wrote. I am originally from Nigeria...lived in Nigeria and Togo for 14 years. Moved here 14 years ago, and made my first trip back this year. I was devasted at what I saw. I am crushed that the "giant" of Africa had been reduced to such a pitiful joke. I will forever be changed by what I saw in two weeks. At the detrioriation around me...the hope and zeal for life in the eyes of the people.
I would like to go back to Africa to help but am not sure in what capacity. Do you have any advice for me? How can I fund a trip back, how can I volunteer to help?
Yes, that's it. You summed up why I have tried to give up everything in order to travel. It is hard to tell people why you want to travel for months or years at a time, or forever. Why its not enough for me just go somewhere for a few months, have a good time and come home.
My first solo 9 month travel experience in Europe was in the moment all the time and every experience, good and bad, was equally amazing and the whole thing changed me. I crashed in squats, swam naked in the ocean with travelling circus performers in Italy, had midnight climbs through haunted graveyards in Edinburgh, hitchiked throughout the tuscan country side, weaseled my way into parties in Ibiza and so on. There were no rules and life consisted only of possibility, the now, and of my own core as a human being which flowed effortlessly the current of life.
Transition to socialization and daily routine when I came home was tough to say the least, and for the 5 years I did it to pay off my collective debts land to make enough money to leave again, I longed for release back into that realm of the spontaneous that made up my heart and deepest spiritual self after travelling. Finally I paid off my debts and by selling everything I owned I was able to go to Japan where I spent six months doing some pretty cool stuff (see ivadoll travelblog) and then jaunted off to Thailand and Laos for some relaxing during the cold Japanese winter). Unfortunately I got sick on that trip in such a way that may make independent travel abroad very difficult in the future. I had to abruptly return home when I had planned not to return for atleast 3 years. The shock has been terrible. Although seeing old friends is wonderful, I now have to worry about car insurance, what I am going to eventually study, future careers, where am I going to live in a few years, which city will I pick to settle down in, and all that bladdy blah. I am obsessed with the future because my society's now is all about planning for the future. I swear it is giving me an ulcer. I want to check out of this paradigm, of stuff, and invisible ropes as soon as I can, and perhaps never come back to it. Maybe if the universe smiles my way it will happen soon and I'll see you on the road somewhere,
ivadoll.
Well written Like the article dude - articulate and flowing, not to mention inspring. Hope your travels bring you to ever greater levels of self-realization; they certainly have for me :)
Holiday greetings! We think and talk of you often. Everyone thinks your stories and pictures are amazing! Please know that we wish you all the best this holiday season. Take care Cam! Love Deb
wow Once again....your words and photos transport me from the beach in Kingston....to Paris. Once again I can feel and sense and see within those words...and you take me with you. Ahhh.....always so kind . Thank you.....I miss you...I love you, Rosemary
Searching Dear Heart,
Following your dreams, your instincts, your passion. What will you find? It doesn't matter. Just that you are - you are present - all touches and changes your being.
Be well. Be there.
Barbara from Nigeria
Amazing Wow these photos are fantastic. Love your low angles and the effects you've created, very Cobalt looking. Hit me up sometime at tribe.net
http://people.tribe.net/faa6a46c-4b0b-4d3d-8e3c-000e44ad1b2a
or myspace.com/Phx_kidd
Merci pour tes idees! Cameron, Tu a du talent pour ecrirant et pour la photographie. Merci pour tes idees et pour partagant ton talent avec moi et l'autres!
P.S. Mais tu est le pere! Je pense...
Art of Living, Living for Art I'm looking forward to exhibiting your work whenever you are ready. Your work is realized and inspirational. Your desire to share your journey is the artist's way...you are undeniably a great artist and poet.
Liz
Wow Cameron, you are an amazing photographer. You could be published if you ever choose that. And your insights are beautiful. Thanks for bringing us along with you on your travels. Its a gift.
Becky
:,v! as you can see from the title.i am Chinese, these two letters mean very strong appreciation.
I have enjoyed your writing so much, Europe has been my most favored destination in my journey .I alway didnot get the chance to go there. Your writing make my dreamland more vivid and closer,
much thanks!
Incredible I am very glad I stumbled upon your blog. Your are quite the artist, your writing is superb and your photographs are exceptional. Truly magnificent.
I advice to you to visit Bologna. I live in Bologna and it'a a very nice city! I sometimes read your blog and it's so beatiful!
sorry for my english! :-)
'Who are you?' said the Caterpillar...
'I-I hardly know, Sir, just at present- at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.'
'What do you mean by that?' said the Caterpillar, sternly. 'Explain yourself!'
'I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, Sir,' said Alice, 'because I'm not myself, you see.'
-Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Listen to wise old Joseph-withers, dear Alice, the man called once Mr. Campbell. He spoke thus:
"You are that mystery which you are seeking to know"
T... full info
cam2yogi
Cameron Karsten
Volunteering
Volunteering? Search the web is my advice. There are so many organizations out there, especially working within Africa. Search, research and them follow your heart and breathe as you work with the world. The best advice I can give, from personal experience, is forever follow your heart and travel with your love and compassion in which you have to offer to all people and places we exist. Thank you! Maybe I'll see you in Africa soon. In Peace, cam