Global Explorers Blog 
Seeking Out the Authentic
What would make a travel experience “authentic” to you?
Would it be learning from a shaman in the depths of the Amazon? Eating a strange Cambodian dish? Giving back to a Costa Rican community through a service project? We travel for different reasons, but more of us these days seek travel with deeper meaning. Homogenized, mainstream, mass-experienced travel is unfulfilling to many because it lacks that authentic, original feeling. Instead, we seek personal connection with the local people and environment. A Global Explorers expedition can open your eyes to this powerful experience, but getting off the beaten path and seeking out the authentic is not just a way to travel. It is a way of life that anyone can adopt, wherever they are.
Share on Facebook Post to Twitter Posted by Administrator · May 25, 2011
A Summit to Remember: Quandary Peak
Last Friday, we embarked on our adventure to Frisco, CO and the Quandary Peak Summit we wrote about a couple weeks ago. Due to record snow levels in Leadville, we the climb was changed at the last minute from Mt. Elbert to Quandary Peak for the safety of the participants. It was an amazing climb to 14,265 feet with 55 of 57 climbers making it to the summit!
When we arrived in Frisco on Thursday afternoon, huge flakes were falling and it was COLD. We'd been receiving emails preparing us that the weather might be less than ideal, but reminding us the experience was about accomplishing it together. The adventure began with a group of us climbing on behalf of Global Explorers dining at what from the outside seemed to be an upstanding dining establishment. However, after the completion of our meal at this suspicious restaurant (which shall remain nameless), we were all hoping, praying, and crossing fingers that none of us contracted food poisoning. Thankfully, we were all fine! In the evening, we met up with all of the others participating in the climb, a group of about 60 from all across the US. Erik Weihenmeyer spoke about the organization we were supporting, No Barriers, and introduced the wounded vets that were part of the team. We then were privileged to see some of the clips of the Soldiers to the Summit film, even though it was not yet finished.
Share on Facebook Post to Twitter Posted by Katie Watkins · May 24, 2011
A Traveling Tip from a Bicycle Junkie
Large parts of vacations are often spent bustling from one place to another by automobile or bus to cram in as many sights as possible. On your next vacation, it may be beneficial to travel at a slower pace. When traveling by bicycle we can learn a great deal about a city’s idiosyncrasies as we truly immerse ourselves in the sounds and smells of a place. Rather than trying to decipher the words on road signs and catching glimpses of architecture from a car window, we can hear the sounds of street performers and feel the elements of the local environment. By experiencing a city at human speed we can understand the quality of life in that location, as it comes from a sense of place and a sense of community.
Along with the desire to learn about local cultures, many of us travel to learn something new about ourselves. By riding a bike, we enable ourselves to have a complete personal mind-body experience, as we rely on our own bodies rather than the push of a gas pedal. In doing so, we can learn about our own physical abilities and limitations. We can feel more in touch with our bodies as we open our minds to our world. Moreover, we can achieve peace of mind by recognizing that we are not contributing to the congestion and pollution that negates the integrity of the place we are visiting. If we are doing something that we feel good about – improving our health and simultaneously reducing our impacts – we feel better about the entire experience. By challenging ourselves to achieve better health and a greater level of cultural immersion while taking a stand for environmental ethics, we can have a truly fulfilling travel experience.
Share on Facebook Post to Twitter Posted by Administrator · May 11, 2011
Climbing for a Cause
As an organization we are committed to the idea of getting kids outside of their comfort zone, challenging them to meet their fears and reach new heights. It would be remiss if those of us employed by Global Explorers didn’t do the same thing from time to time. One of the things I love most about working here is being in an environment that supports constant growth.
Two of us (myself, Katie Watkins and Dave Shurna) will be facing fears and overcoming obstacles on May 20th when we attempt to summit Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado at 14,433 feet, alongside some pretty incredible people! The expedition is led by Erik Weheinmayer, the only blind person to ascend all Seven Summits, including Mt. Everest. The climb is commemorating the 10-year anniversary of Erik’s Everest summit, and each of the participants is raising money to benefit Global Explorers and an organization called No Barriers USA. We will also be climbing alongside several wounded veterans who participated in the Soldier’s to the Summit project- check out the trailer of the incredible film documenting their journey!
