Comments on: Reflections on Traveling and Positive Psychology http://pos-psych.com/news/dana-arakawa/20080114585 Positive Psychology News Daily - Daily boost of research-based happiness. Authored by University of Pennsylvania graduates of the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program (MAPP). Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:37:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Dana Arakawa http://pos-psych.com/news/dana-arakawa/20080114585#comment-15332 Dana Arakawa Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:33:36 +0000 http://pos-psych.com/news/dana-arakawa/20080114585#comment-15332 Hi Justin, I'm trying to go to Chile this August, so I will definitely have to check out Valparaiso! I agree with you about the contrast between the amazing parts of S. America and the other side. I found it hopeful though, that while I was in Peru, I met so many people trying to make a difference - three guys I knew organized a benefit dinner for their volunteer programs, and also started a foundation - www.volunteercause.org Also, to help the girls at Virgin Natividad, where I volunteered, another volunteer created a non-profit: www.puravidafoundation.ca I was so inspired by their proactivity. Aloha, Dana Hi Justin,

I’m trying to go to Chile this August, so I will definitely have to check out Valparaiso! I agree with you about the contrast between the amazing parts of S. America and the other side. I found it hopeful though, that while I was in Peru, I met so many people trying to make a difference - three guys I knew organized a benefit dinner for their volunteer programs, and also started a foundation -

www.volunteercause.org

Also, to help the girls at Virgin Natividad, where I volunteered, another volunteer created a non-profit:

www.puravidafoundation.ca

I was so inspired by their proactivity. Aloha,
Dana

]]> By: Dana Arakawa http://pos-psych.com/news/dana-arakawa/20080114585#comment-15331 Dana Arakawa Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:22:08 +0000 http://pos-psych.com/news/dana-arakawa/20080114585#comment-15331 Hi Kari, Sorry for the late reply! Peru is a wonderful place...I still miss it! They have such wonderful traditions of family , fresh food - haha you can tell when I miss the most! I remember the best thing about returning back to the states was knowing that there would almost always be soap, toilet paper, paper towels, and even toilet seat protectors in the bathroom. I never knew I took all of that for granted! Since I spent most of my time in Cusco, I remember being shocked when I spent my last day in Peru in Lima, and went to their big mall, Larcomar. That helped to ease the transition back to mainstream commercialism...I think that would be the biggest adjustment, back to our culture obsessed with trendiness, modernity...Cusco was a lot more quaint. Thanks again for reading! Dana Hi Kari,

Sorry for the late reply! Peru is a wonderful place…I still miss it! They have such wonderful traditions of family , fresh food - haha you can tell when I miss the most!

I remember the best thing about returning back to the states was knowing that there would almost always be soap, toilet paper, paper towels, and even toilet seat protectors in the bathroom. I never knew I took all of that for granted!

Since I spent most of my time in Cusco, I remember being shocked when I spent my last day in Peru in Lima, and went to their big mall, Larcomar. That helped to ease the transition back to mainstream commercialism…I think that would be the biggest adjustment, back to our culture obsessed with trendiness, modernity…Cusco was a lot more quaint. Thanks again for reading! Dana

]]> By: karl Staib l Your Happiness Matters http://pos-psych.com/news/dana-arakawa/20080114585#comment-12675 karl Staib l Your Happiness Matters Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:00:36 +0000 http://pos-psych.com/news/dana-arakawa/20080114585#comment-12675 Hey Dana, From all I've read about Peru it sounds like a wonderful place. I never really knew about the underside of the country, but I guess it's in every country. What has been your biggest adjustment since coming back home? Karl Hey Dana,

From all I’ve read about Peru it sounds like a wonderful place. I never really knew about the underside of the country, but I guess it’s in every country.

What has been your biggest adjustment since coming back home?

Karl

]]> By: Margaret Greenberg http://pos-psych.com/news/dana-arakawa/20080114585#comment-12673 Margaret Greenberg Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:48:38 +0000 http://pos-psych.com/news/dana-arakawa/20080114585#comment-12673 Dana, I admire your strengths of courage, kindness, and gratitude. You are truly an inspiration! Love, Margaret Dana, I admire your strengths of courage, kindness, and gratitude. You are truly an inspiration! Love, Margaret

]]> By: Jeff Dustin http://pos-psych.com/news/dana-arakawa/20080114585#comment-12629 Jeff Dustin Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:40:33 +0000 http://pos-psych.com/news/dana-arakawa/20080114585#comment-12629 Though I've never visited Peru (I wish I had!) I've seen many of the South American countries on the Pacific coast. I must say, of all the places I have traveled in the Western Hemisphere, I enjoyed Chile the most. A group of us went horseback riding in the foothills of the Andes on a tour to a classy little winery near Valparaiso. The experience of a horseback tour clashes with the abject poverty and prostitution so widespread down there. As you know, women often resort to turning tricks for a pimp to survive and provide for their babies. That side of traveling makes me sick to my stomach but greatly appreciative of what I have in a 1st world country and hopeful for global change. Though I’ve never visited Peru (I wish I had!) I’ve seen many of the South American countries on the Pacific coast. I must say, of all the places I have traveled in the Western Hemisphere, I enjoyed Chile the most. A group of us went horseback riding in the foothills of the Andes on a tour to a classy little winery near Valparaiso.

The experience of a horseback tour clashes with the abject poverty and prostitution so widespread down there. As you know, women often resort to turning tricks for a pimp to survive and provide for their babies. That side of traveling makes me sick to my stomach but greatly appreciative of what I have in a 1st world country and hopeful for global change.

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