Archive for January, 2010
Cape Town: 4 Perfect Places & Photos
Sitting atop Table Mountain, over 1000 ft in the air, overlooking the grandeur of the historic, brilliant city of Cape Town.
Dining at Dieu Donne, a winery that sits overlooking the French inspired village of Franschoek just outside Cape Town, where the rich spell from the vineyards is coupled with the crisp air in an intoxicating duet Cape Town has it all.
Sunbathing on the white sands of Camps Bay Beach, in a cove surrounded by mountains while the sound of the waves and the rich city culture serenade you to sleep.
Picnicking in the gardens of Kirstenbosch, where exotic flowers, magnificent mountains, and crystal clear streams come together to create a picturesque landscape like no other.
Rio de Janeiro: Adventure Capital of the World
If you crave adventure, Rio de Janeiro is your utopia! From the second you step off the plane, you will be inundated by a billion creative ways to push your limits. I’ve been to many of the adventure capitals of the world including Interlaken, Switzerland and Queenstown, New Zealand and I can attest that Rio is right up there with the best – minutes from the heart of a world-class city. Step outside of your comfort zone and try a few of my personal favorites:
Hang Gliding: 3-2-1…RUN…JUMP! Fling yourself off a ramp attached to the side of a mountain and enjoy the amazing view of Rio de Janeiro as you literally fly like a bird for 15 minutes. This has been on my bucket list for years – check!
Rock Climbing: I had no desire to jam my fingers into little notches on the face of a mountain before my first rock climbing experience, but now I’m addicted. The thrill of pushing yourself to reach for the next rock, the butterflies in your stomach as you glance down and feeling you get as you pull yourself to the top are all priceless. Do not forget your camera!
Zip Lining: Everyone has friends that talk about zip lining in Costa Rica; well make them jealous by swinging from tree to tree in Brazil.
Kayaking: Leave the beach behind as you paddle out into the South Atlantic Ocean on your way to Cotunduba Island which provides sweeping views of Ipanema Beach, Christ the Redeemer (one of the new 7 Wonders of the World) and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Canyoning: Hike through an old coffee farm to the top of a waterfall and then rappel down the middle of the water stream – yep, it’s awesome!
If these don’t excite you, there are plenty of more options from our world-class vendor, Crux Ecoaventura (http://www.cruxecoaventura.com.br/).
Why Mama Mia got it 1/2 right…Global LEAD Greece
Mamma Mia had everything… an all-star cast, a killer soundtrack of ABBA hits and a love story that stole audiences’ hearts across the globe. But, they literally missed the boat when it came to the best location for the film. After spending my summer island hopping across 3 island chains and more than 10 individual islands, I consider myself an authority on spectacular Greek scenery, gorgeous sunsets and feta cheese. So, your LEAD trip will include the following gems:
Mykonos: Welcome to the playground of international jetsetters, celebrities, and models whose reputation among travelers is unparalleled. Whether you come for the Studio 54-esque parties, endless beaches or world-class shopping, Mykonos will surly capture your imagination.
Crete: As the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Crete offers visitors more varied options to explore the culture and adventure than any other island. Throw yourself off the second highest bungee jump in Europe, enjoy the Cretan hospitality or wander down to the beach for a relaxing day.
Santorini: Known for its black sand beaches, epic sunsets and awe-inspiring views, Santorini is one of the most awe-inspiring places on earth. Explore an active volcano or take it easy while sipping a glass of Pinot Noir while the sun sinks below the horizon.
Lucky for you, Global LEAD will succeed where Mamma Mia failed and provide you with the experience of a lifetime!
Do yourself a favor and go to Matt Barrett’s website (http://www.greecetravel.com/) which provides the most comprehensive overview of Greece on the web.
P is for Playa: Exploring the Best Beach in the World…Global LEAD style
Global LEAD Rio de Janeiro: This is your home for Summer 2010
Yeah, we get it…you’ve soaked up the rays in Key West, explored the culture of Club Lavela in Panama City and maybe you even snorkeled in the Bahamas. Fantastic, now you are ready for the best beach in the world – Ipanema.
Skeptical? Heard this song and dance before? Good, because as a beach expert who has scientifically tested beaches on 6 continents (the beaches of Antarctica have alluded me so far), I am here to prove it.
Everyone knows the elements of a great beach: soft sand, perfect weather, crystal clear water, a cool scene and of course gorgeous people. Check, check, check, double check, CHECK!
To start off, Ipanema is ridiculously beautiful. The 2+ miles of gently curving beach is sandwiched between a mountain, skyscrapers and a giant rock outcropping which creates a little slice of Latin heaven. Next we have the weather which generally moves between mild and beautiful (70 degrees) to steamy and sublime (90+ degrees).
Hungry? Well, if you are lazy and don’t feel like getting up, just raise your hand like a 3rd grader and a beach vendor will come your way wielding ice cream, corn-on-the-cob, shrimp, frozen fruit juice, chilled coconut milk (inside the coconut), fresh pineapple or a million other delicacies. Or, if feel like some proper food or some shopping, pick up your beach towel and walk 2 minutes to the numerous open-air seaside restaurants and boutiques that line the boulevard.
As for the beautiful people, is there even a question? This is the same legendary beach that gave birth to the string bikini and where the world descends for the biggest party in the world, Carnival, with supped-up Mardi Gras-type costumes. Finally, what other beach in the world lies in the shadow of one of the new 7 Wonders of the World?
Case closed!
To gain an insider’s guide to all things Ipanema, check out the following website for a fun read. (http://www.ipanema.com/rio/basics/e)
It fills souls faster than Soup!
Power of One: My African Mother
My mother said to me, “Courtney, you are my daughter and I love you. There isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do for you because you and your friends brought love into this place. May you always remember the strength of your own heart and of love—it fills souls faster than soup.”
My mother’s education didn’t go beyond eighth grade. She works as a seamstress and makes about $8 for a full day of work. When she comes home, she makes dinner for our family and usually several neighbors who she invites over if she senses they are struggling. She sings, dances, encourages my brother Duncan with his homework, and starts a fire so we can all stay warm. The financial burdens she feels are never exposed. She stands strong and resilient, as if we are the richest family in the world, which to her, we are—we have each other.
Her faith and spirit keeps me warm even when the fire dies. Her love fills my stomach even when the food couldn’t come close. Her wisdom gives me clarity, even though nothing around me makes sense.
I met my mother on June 15, 2009. I spent 24 hour with her and when I left she said to me, “Courtney, you are my daughter and I love you. There isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do for you because you and your friends brought love into this place. May you always remember the strength of your own heart and of love—it fills souls faster than soup.”
Courtney Doran is the Global L.E.A.D. Director of Operations. She trekked across Africa for 100 days from Kenya to Cape Town, lived in the Marshall Islands through a program at Harvard, and can return any email in under an hour–from any continent on Earth. She is the glue that makes Global L.E.A.D. stick and as Coach Vince Dooley says…you can “Count on Court”
Why Vince Dooley supports Global LEAD
- Vince Dooley brainstorms with members of UGA’s Global LEAD Program, which lets students volunteer and take classes abroad
Vince Dooley, extreme adventure and volunteering 10,000 miles away may have more in common than you might think.
These all come together in one study abroad program called Global LEAD.
Global LEAD – which stands for leadership, education, adventure and diplomacy – is a summer study abroad program that takes students to either Greece, Rio de Janeiro or Cape Town, Africa.
For four – six weeks, students help impoverished communities and earn six hours of University course credit.
But students aren’t the only ones going on LEAD.
Vince Dooley, a renowned former University football coach, is also involved in the program. He traveled to Cape Town last year and will be headed to Greece this summe as well.
“[LEAD] has a service component that separates it from the other studies abroad programs,” Dooley said. “[It's] a real education for someone’s heart.”
Dooley and his wife Barbara first went on LEAD last summer when Kevin Scott and Garrett Gravesen, along with Robbie Reese and Courtney Doran, all UGA grads and members of the Global LEAD team, called them up and asked them to join the newly-formed LEAD program.
“We watched [Scott and Gravesen] raise phenomenal amounts of money and touch lives previously,” Barbara said. “When we realized what they could do…we jumped on this bandwagon as well.” University student Scott Sumner, a senior from Sylvester, went with LEAD last year to Cape Town.
“I care a lot about service,” Sumner said. He described one experience during his summer with LEAD where he lived for a day like the poor families he was helping. “I lived off a dollar a day,” he said.
This year, the program is expanding to involve other colleges in the trips, something both Vince and Barbara said they are happy about. Students across the SEC and around the nation will participate and earn up to 6 hours of course credit in leadership and service.
“Service is a part of maturity,” Barbara said.
Vince and Barbara – who will travel with the group to Greece this summer – said LEAD is really about the students volunteering for others.
“We’ll enjoy the experience of being with [the students],” Vince said.
Barbara said that helping those in need is a rewarding experience.
“When you give, you receive a lot more,” she said.
A Global LEAD information session open to all students will be held at 6 p.m. on ThurdayJanuary 14th in the Miller Learning Center, room 248.
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This article was adapted from the Red and Black article entitled: Dooley on campus to address LEADers by Adina Solomon
Celebrity Sightings in Global LEAD cities
Prince William in Cape Town
Rio de Janeiro:
http://www.riodejaneiro-turismo.com.br/en/
Greece:
http://www.igogreece.com/EN/
Cape Town:
http://www.capetownmagazine.com/
Paris..well in Greece..being Paris
- Gisele and her Brazilian Victoria Secret Models
Manolo Blahniks and Finding Meaning
Jessica Grant is a 2009 Global L.E.A.D. Participant, owns 400 pairs of shoes, served on Panhellenic Council, and wrote a heart wrenching vision statement that puts life in perspective during her Global LEAD experience.
Vision Statement: I want to be a person who is loving, giving, and who is known to share. A friend. I want to make a difference in other people’s lives. A mentor. I want to be charitable and successful enough to be so. A philanthropist. I want to be self-reliant and trusted enough to be relied on. A mother-figure. I want to stand up for what is right. A defender of good. I want to be strong and independent enough to have a good life for myself and therefore be a role model to others. A trendsetter. I want to have enough to give, even if it’s something intangible. A counselor. And last but not least, I want to pay forward all of the great things that have been given to me.
3-2-1 Liftoff…Get ready for Global LEAD
”Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman
The moment I signed up for the Global L.E.A.D. program I knew I was in for something very special. I thought I knew what to expect, I anticipated all of the great memories I would make, but I never completely realized until now how life changing this incredible adventure would be.
The months, weeks, and days leading up to our departure were filled with excitement and curiosity, study and preparation, and hopes and prayers. As I sit here beginning this blog, it excites me to know that I have such an incredible chance to make a difference. To L.E.A.D. is to serve, and that’s exactly what I plan on doing. I plan to serve the community of Cape Town with compassion in my voice and love in my heart. I am at peace with myself in knowing that I have an opportunity to change the lives of others less fortunate.
My greatest passion in life is reaching out to someone and helping them overcome any obstacles that may stand in the way of their life’s treasures. Surrounded by the brilliant people who are accompanying me on my journey, I know we have what it takes to nurture our passions for service and channel those energies into a life changing six weeks that we will all remember for the rest of our lives.
Let’s be the change! Let’s not just go…but L.E.A.D.
Scott Sumner is a 2009 Global L.E.A.D. participant and modern day Mother Teresa (as a man..in his twenties…from Georgia). Read more about his Global L.E.A.D. adventure to Cape Town, South Africa at www.ToLeadisToServe.blogspot.com
