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Girl Gone Travel

Central America, Travel
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August 25, 2015

Guatemala behind the scenes with CoEd

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The roads were bumpy and winding as we made our way deeper to the countryside of Guatemala. Our CoEd tour group and sponsoring Rotary board members were on our way to visit a sponsored school.

I could hear the sounds of cheering and music as our van approached. Children, big and small, as well as teachers and administrators, lined up outside to greet us. Handmade banners and signs waved, welcoming and thanking the CoEd staff and sponsors for their contribution to their school and to each student they have helped to continue their education.

In all my years, I have never seen children so incredibly excited about reading a book, or receiving a map, or getting a new bookshelf (aka library) for their classroom. But education is hard to come by here, and being given access to it is truly a rare and luxurious gift.

CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravel CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravelA morning if celebration for our visit to their school was an incredibly humbling and moving experience.

In Guatemala, only 3 out of 10 children graduate from 6th grade. The lack of funds for books, supplies, and uniforms make it impossible for many families to support their children through it, and the demand for labor to help support the family is great among the country’s poor. Much of the hardship is a direct result over a civil war that started over land owned by what is now known as Chiquita Banana (then United Fruit) with the support of the CIA and other U.S. politicians. (A good read on this history are Bitter Fruit and Bananas: How the United Fruit Company Helped Shape the World.)

The war which officially ended in 1996 and much of the corruption that remains show their effects among the communities afflicted the most: the poor, especially among the Maya communities.

What organizations such as CoEd try to dispel is the belief that loose change or cute trinkets could help a child begging on the street. Instead, the message they are sending is that the only way to help families and give these children a better footing into a brighter future is through education. The goal is to not only change lives, but the country.

I met principles and teachers who go without getting paid for months, yet come to work everyday to educate the children who count on their guidance to move forward. I saw the excitement in children’s eyes as they opened the pages of a newly donated book and read the words for the first time. I heard students both still in the program and as graduates, talk about how CoEd changed their lives and made their dreams come true. And I saw CoEd leaders, many of them former students in the programs, as well as active members of the communities they live and work in, talk about the pride they have in their work and their passion for the same.

CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravel CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravel CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravel CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravel CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravel CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravel CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravel CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravel CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravel

I could go on and on, but words can never truly describe what it is to be there and talk to these families, these students, these educators, and these dedicated staff members and volunteers.

I love Guatemala. I enjoy the people, the food, the culture and diversity of its land. Getting this behind-the-scenes look of the country through my tour with CoEd made me love it even more.

The Snapshot Tour that CoEd offers helps sponsors understand and see for themselves how far their donations go and the impact it has on so many lives. It also helps to garner the interest of potential sponsors as well, as it did with me.

CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravel CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravel

We stayed at some of the most beautiful hotels and had fabulous meals together – though, maybe not as authentic as Guatemalans have to offer, but this is more due to the potential sensibilities of first-time travelers to the country.

We got to see beautiful landscape and towns, such as the lovely Antigua and we got to create wonderful memories together.

CoEd_SnapShot_Tour_Photo_GirlGoneTravelMaybe, with the support of many, this little guy won’t have to worry about his education in the future either.

But most importantly, I walked away thrilled over how educating the trip was, and how eye-opening it can be for those unaware of the realities of countries such as these. It elevates the meaning of giving. Anyone can write a check if they wanted to but the extra step to seeing what that check delivers is what makes it that more special.

If nothing else, this experience makes people feel grateful for what they have and hopefully inspires more compassionate travelers, which the world could always use more of.

For more information about CoEd’s Snapshot tour, check out their website at www.coeduc.org.

To read more about my Guatemalan adventures check out my photography in “The People of Guatemala” and my write up in Huffington Post Travel, “The Best Ways to Experience Guatemala“!

Like my photography? Follow me on Instagram. For more images of my time in Guatemala, check out my Instagram hashtag #GGTinGuatemala. All images are property of Girl Gone Travel and may not be used without direct consent of the publisher.

 

 

 

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a des If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a destination for you. This list of good eats were all within close proximity to each other and spots we made time for during our short weekend visit. So definitely note that this doesn’t even begin to cover the tip of the iceberg, but makes a good starter list!

📍@ShortStackEats in the heart of Downtown Madison is clearly a UW favorite. Loved their pancakes! We thought it was a pricey for breakfast, and only offered drip coffee, but the scene was fun, food was good, and service was friendly.
📍@SardineMadison is a waterfront French bistro that has stood the test of time (we’ve been coming here since we lived in Madison!). It can feel very corporate some nights, but their Happy Hour and brunch are definite highlights and it’s a really nice dining experience overall.
📍@EatattheAudrey impressed us! It’s not your usual “hotel restaurant” and I would say it easily stands alone as an eatery worth checking out in Madison. Great breakfast options, cozy vibes, nice bar, and good service!
📍@RamenStation1124 good, affordable ramen.
📍BlindShotSocialClub We really loved this spot for brunch (sorry, was enjoying the company and totally spaced out on capturing food images!). Golf fans will love hitting the putt here (you can reserve a private room too), and what I though was most cool was the delicious and wide selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from. This place is a total vibe!
📍@StringsRamen is a chain, but I have to say it is some of the best ramen I have had in a long time. I especially loved how you can choose your ramen but heat level but also by Japanese region which allowed us to taste a couple of new flavors!
📍@Parthenongyros has been around awhile (hubby recalls coming here during his college years!) and was voted #1 take out in Madison! Though we indulged inside and away from the snow. A delicious, quick bite when strolling around State Street.

And again, this is just a starter list. There is so much more to eat and enjoy in this top foodie city! What other spots would you add to this list?

#madisonwi #foodiegram #foodiedestinations #goodeats @destinationmadison
I love to travel. It has always been important to I love to travel. It has always been important to my family. My parents got my first passport weeks after I was born. They couldn’t afford to travel like I do now, but they understood, as immigrants, the absolute privilege that comes attached to having that shiny blue American booklet and they wanted me to have it.

I was yet again reminded of my privilege when my travel back home on this last trip was delayed over 24 hours. I have a village in place to make sure my kids were ok. Having my own business meant I didn’t have to report in to anyone, and was still able to work remotely so none of my clients were inconvenienced by it. Though the airline covered our hotel and food, we never worried that we couldn’t do it ourselves otherwise. While we were annoyed, we weren’t stressed.

So while I love to travel, and I love sharing my travels with you, I acknowledge that being able to do so, and dealing with the consistent travel disruptions so prevalent today without worries is a privilege…one that started with a little blue booklet that gives me more access to the world than some others do.

And I want us all in this travel space to be reminded of this. Of how lucky we are. Of our privilege to access and time and money.

So let us travel with grace and awareness. Let us remain rooted in reality and perspective. Acknowledging that our escapism isn’t one so easily accessible to others. Understanding that this is also why local stories have as much value as those to exclusive destinations, if not more. And, never forgetting, especially in the travel influencer and media space, that were it not for hosted campaigns and paid-for travel opportunities, most of us wouldn’t be able to afford the lifestyle we so beautifully curate online.

It doesn’t matter how often you travel, or how far. Just that hopefully you will be able to gift yourself the experience of doing so and experiencing something new.

#travel #travelmedia #travelinfluencer #wheretonext
As I work on compiling all the good eats I experie As I work on compiling all the good eats I experienced in Madison, WI, I have to ask: what is your favorite meal of the day, and where did you experience a highlight of the same?

I am a huge fan of breakfast. This beauty was a blueberry pancake order from @shortstackeats. Pancakes are not a big thing for me, but these were pretty perfect. I am craving them still. 🥞♥️

#madisonwi #goodeats #travelingfoodie @destinationmadison
We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a qui We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a quick trip to Madison, WI - my first time back in 14 years! Though we were here for family matters, we did take a moment to explore a bit of what used to be a place we called home.

We couldn’t do anything else until we drove around Lake Monona, where we once had a home, and took in the wintery views (there is an epic 13.2-mile trail that loops around the lake that is worth exploring if you visit!). Though our time was limited, we were able to enjoy some of it along State Street exploring the shops, eateries, the FREE @mmocamadison, and the beautiful architecture of the WI State Capitol Building (the Dane County Farmers Market will soon pick up again - Saturdays, April 15 thru November 11, 2023 around the Capitol Building and it is one of the best farmers markets anywhere!). 

We booked a room at the @hiltonmadison Monona Terrace to be within walking distance of all the downtown fun (tip: for a room with a lake view make sure to book at the upper levels above 10th floor for an unobstructed view of Lake Monona). 

Madison, WI is a skip and a hop from the Finger Lakes so this short and sweet visit didn’t feel difficult at all. And we absolutely loved the winter scenery and seeing what has changed (a lot) since we lived here.

Stay tuned for my list of where we ate!

Have you ever been to Madison, WI?

#madisonwi #weekendgetaway #wisconsin @destinationmadison
The joy of that first sip of the day. #randommom The joy of that first sip of the day. 

#randommomentsarethebest
I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t be I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t believe how easily I’ve been waking up in the early mornings since our last trip. Not sure how to shake it, or if it’s temporary, but here it is: the rare sighting of me up and moving early in the day. Am I a morning person now? Has travel ever permanently changed any of your habits?

#morningperson #lifeinthecountry #newme <-😂

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