Stacey's Travel Blog

Finding A New Path

By: Stacey

You never know where life will take you.  When Ken, my husband, planned our family vacation for winter break 2008-2009, I had no premonition about the new direction my life would take following our expedition.  We were headed to the Galapagos Islands—a place I had always dreamed of visiting, and then to Peru--a place I knew little about beforehand, but instantly fell in love with during our travels.

The Galapagos Islands are an adventure not to be missed if you have the chance, especially if you enjoy wildlife.  Our voyage was for 8 days on a solar powered expedition yacht that accommodated 20 passengers, and more than half as many crew. On-board were 2 other families: 13 relatives from the Philadelphia area, and a smaller group of 4 from Los Angeles. With 8 children collectively who enjoyed one another’s company, as did the adults—we were so fortunate.  We now have a myriad of fond memories, literally thousand of photos from our exploits, and developed new friendships that will last a lifetime.

the unique Land Iguana

The Galapagos Islands are home to species not found anywhere else on earth: more than 20% of marine species; about 80% of the land birds; 97% of the reptiles and land mammals; and more than 30% of the plants.  

Rocks morphed into iguanas sunning themselves on an island beach.  We encountered Giant Tortoises, both land and sea, for which the Galapagos were named—galapago meaning saddle, was a term early explorers used for the tortoises due to the shape of their shells.  Viewing these prehistoric looking creatures up close and personal was as close as we’ll ever get to walking amongst the dinosaurs (and that’s OK by me!)

the sea lion's big, soulful eyes up close

a tiny sea lion pup

We looked into the big, soulful eyes of sea lion pups, born just hours before our arrival—their proximity so close you could nearly touch them if it were permitted.  But because it is not, the wildlife on these islands have never learned to fear man, which is an extraordinary thing.  In fact, while swimming with his water camera, Ken kept retreating in order to photograph the penguins and seals that were playfully swimming by his side.

A part of me that could have stayed there forever enjoying the gentle rock of the boat lulling me into a peaceful sleep each night; loving the intimate connections I made both friends and creatures; and unplugging from our overscheduled lives.

Following the Galapagos we headed southeast to Peru, navigated our way through the Amazon Basin, and then onward to Lima, Cusco, The Sacred Valley and the always mystical Machu Picchu, machu = old or ancient, and picchu = peak or mountain; therefore, Machu Picchu is translated as "Old Mountain".  It’s mysterious architecture and breath-taking scenery was other-worldly.

dining with Scarlet Macaws

We journeyed up the Amazon for 5 days, spending the nights in eco-jungle lodges, until we reached the Tambopata and Manu Wildlife Reserves nestled in the Amazonian Rainforest. We literally dined with Scarlet Macaws, tracked monkeys swinging from the forest canopies, shadowed wild pigs from a safe distance, and exposed tarantulas by flashlight after nightfall.

It was also here that our son Avi, had one of his most memorable experiences—being stung by a Bullet Ant, which dropped from a nearby plant into his shirt.  An inch long, these ants are said to have one of the most painful stings in the world.  Subsequently, our guide swiftly hoisted Avi to his shoulders, and headed back to our lodge, navigating through thick tropical foliage. Avi was treated with a Benadryl-like substance, to prevent an allergic type reaction, but did little to alleviate the intense pain he experienced during the next couple of days.

Leaving the jungle behind, we then headed to Lima, Peru’s capital--a coastal city--home to wonderful restaurants, galleries, markets and museums. We spent little time there other than as a hub between destinations such as Cusco.

It can take a good day or two to adjust to 11,200 ft. altitude of this historical city.  Capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1983. You can detect the Spanish influence in its architecture following the Spanish Invasion of 1533. A by-product of this invasion, are many spectacular Inca ruins, especially in the Sacred Valley, between Pisac and Ollantayambo.  

It was from Ollantayambo we traveled via train through the Andean countryside with its circular Incan farming terraces, to the small town of Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu, amongst the Peruvian Andes.  Never revealed to the Spanish and mysteriously abandoned for over four centuries until “discovered” by Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu, stands nearly 8000 feet above sea level. During our visit, the clouds played tag with its peaks, continuingly altering its appearance as the sun highlighted its various facets.

a stunning view of Machu  Picchu

This 15th century cultural site is rightly included as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The complexity and engineering prowess of Machu Picchu’s giant walls, terraces and ramps of polished dry stone is truly an enigma. How did people who were without iron tools or the wheel, create such a masterpiece? The stones were cut with such precision that this marvel was constructed without mortar of any kind.

the adorable alpacas posing together

This spectacle was further enhanced by a colorful herd of alpacas lazily grazing upon the green grass--well dressed in their lustrous coats, unknowingly posing alongside tourists for their Facebook pages. Much to our amusement, in the recess of one of the walls, rested a Chinchilla relishing his siesta.

As unforgettable as each of these places were, it was the people of Peru that left a lasting impression on me—one that essentially changed my life.  Peruvian people are extremely rich in culture and artistic heritage.  Though 
poverty was most prominent in the rural regions of the country, it exists throughout.  I cannot recall seeing a single begger, however there were an abundance of mothers offering photo opportunities with their children and baby llamas.  It is respectable that they were at least doing something to earn their money as opposed to simply asking for handouts.

It was there that I realized, by the grace of God, there go I.  I could have been any of those women I met during our travels, struggling to put food on their tables, roofs over their children’s heads, and striving to educate their kids so they had a pathway to a better life.  We weren’t that different from one another, and that realization resonated with me all the way back home to California and ever since.

For this reason I was unable to return to life as I knew it, prior to our trip.  I knew well that doling out money was not the solution to improving these people’s lives in a lasting and meaningful way. What they and others like them around the world needed and desired was a dignified, sustainable means to earning a living, and using skills that many of them already possessed.

After months of research and the development of a unique business model, Shopping for a Change® was born. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we enable artisans from developing countries around the world, mostly women, to sell their handmade creations, enabling them to earn a sustainable income and lift themselves from poverty.

In addition to paying the artisans up front for their work, Shopping for a Change uses its net proceeds to subsidize community improvement projects abroad as well as help fund select U.S.-based charities that have partnered with us at no charge to them.

Through this model we are impacting the lives of thousands of artisans and their communities around the globe, as well as assisting those in need right here in our own backyard.

I have since traveled back to Peru two additional times: once during my research I went back on my own, and the third time to attend the Peru Gift Show as a buyer because many rural artisan groups were being represented there, and the Peruvian government paid my way there.

Though we are now working with artisan groups from 20 different countries, I have not had the pleasure of traveling to most of them yet.  So much can be accomplished remotely these days, allowing me to use others on the ground as my local eyes and ears.  As an all-volunteer organization, this allows us support our organization and mission without having to use the funds for travel or salaries.