RIP Nelson Mandela

EducationalPaths.com was in South Africa when Nelson Mandela passed away. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy is alive in all of South Africa and worldwide. There are many reasons to admire him. For us there are four keys to his success: Nelson was a well educated man, he loved the freedom of humanity of all colours (Ubuntu), learned to forgive the past and to obtain a better future and kept a smile to reflect all of this. We believe that these four keys are very important for the future of this country and hope that the current government changes their politics based on using fear and hate to keep their followers, who are very disappointed due to the corruption that is so well known that they no longer attempt to hide it.

Good bye, Lesotho

Sala hantle, Lesotho. After a few weeks working in different educational projects, we have to say good bye to this wonderful country where Educational Paths.com has left a valuable impression. From the Foothills Guest house in Maseru, we cold observe, learn and interact with educational professionals and students from the best schools in the country and during weekends visit so many places where we were also very welcomed. In this video we can see, hear and feel how these boarding school girls get emotional when shouting ‘Educational Paths’. 

Lesotho basketball... without bouncing the ball.

Is the field available too rough to bounce your ball? No problem with that if you use your imagination. On the way back to Ka Pitseng guest house, right in the middle of rural Lesotho, we found the answer. These basotho girls have found a way to have fun, exercise wile they play this game. In this version of the game they even need their team mates more as they cannot move when they get the ball.  

Sesotho in Morija

Morija Guest Houses provide an excellent environment for a Lesotho cultural weekend. We were very lucky to participate, with a group of local expatiates, the language and culture of the country. An excellent experience which we recommend travelers and residents alike. In this video we show some of our language skills. Can you understand us? If you use your imagination you will...

Learning opportunities in Malealea, Lesotho

Life is full of nice, cultural-enriching surprises. We experienced a good example of this in Malealea (Lesotho). As well as being able to hike to nice places in the area we managed to volunteer in a rural primary school, participate in an activity design to create awareness of AIDS through football, help the school teachers and offer them a seminar on Educational Coaching. Staying at Malealea Lodge gave us the opportunity to know about a very unique environment and meet many interesting people, including the members of Malealea Band, in the video.

The Flight of life

A flight in a balloon is very similar to life. It is an incredible and unique experience that we managed to experience with Drankensberg Ballooning, very near Lesotho. Among other analogies with life we found that the preparation requires team work, at the beginning of the flight it needs help and orientation and on landing we need to trust ourselves and others to succeed. At the end of life is best to relax our muscles for a peaceful death, that way our life empties as peacefully as this balloon show in the video. There is no use in trying to regret what we have done (or not) at this point. We will develop what we learned about life in our book and documentary. 

Durban urban hiking and skateboarding.

Our urban hike in Durban started at Tekweni Backpackers in Berea and finished at the Indian Ocean, where we touched the water that connects our world. We watched how the population of the third biggest city in South Africa enjoy their weekend. We paid special interest to these young people who have fun moving on wheels (skateboards, bikes, etc.). The interview to one of them will reveal how we can guide and learn from teenagers’ motivation.

School Education in Rural Swaziland

Very near our hut in kaPhunga Village (SwaziCulturalTours.com, Swaziland) there is a primary school. We had the opportunity to be there a few days. We shadowed some lessons and helped teachers, giving them feedback about their lessons and a workshop. Students start the day singing and sharing news. A very interesting activity which promotes culture over the generations. We wanted to stay a few more days, but we were also keen on continuing our Educational Paths around the world.

Looking after oneself in Africa.

These young ladies got attracted to Alejandra’s long straight hair and created an spontaneous hairdresser while we waited for Kestell (from KestellAdventures.com) to enjoy another activity in Sabie (South Africa) . People like to look after others and themselves in different ways. If you want to learn how people look after themselves in different parts of the world, follow us on your favorite social network so that you are among the first to watch the documentary.

Gender and Race Equality in South Africa

Often the differences between genders and race are only in our mental maps and they are not really barriers in our lives. In our documentary we will show how these differences are seen in different countries around the world. One example is that of this SouthAfrican girl who, full of enthusiasm and expontaneity, explains us her mental map on our way to the Thaba Tsweni Lodge near the Blyde River Canyon. 

What makes you happy?

This is a question that we should all ask ourselves. It is one of the questions about emotions we ask to many people in our trip around the world. Most people smile when they are asked that question. This is what connects us. It is like magic. What we see can make us happy. A good example is the beautiful sunset we filmed on our way back to Graskop Hotel, know for the art exhibitions.  If you want to learn how to be happy, follow us on your favourite social network so that you are amongst the fist to watch the documentary.

Ubuntu

We had the opportunity to celebrate the Ubuntu day in the Freedom Park (Pretoria, South Africa). Ubuntu means humanity with the feeling that united people can build a better world. Nelson Mandela promoted Ubuntu since he got out of prison, creating peace and prosperity when others would have felt the urge for revenge.

Gender differences in South Africa: Ladies first?

Among the many interesting topics in our documentaries, we include the differences between men and women in different countries in the world. In our research we include the differences between other mammals. In this short video we filmed how two male lions show no sign of being 'gentlemen' and take time to eat their food wile the females have to wait their turn.

Good bye, Ethiopia

Last Saturday we left Ethiopia and flew through Africa to reach the south. We stayed in Ethiopia almost a month full of experiences and feelings. These words describe what we've left behind: Love, happiness, sadness, anger, poverty, green, spicy, injera (typical food), anthropology, resignation, rage, black, life, lakes, waterfalls, shared taxis, money, resignation, rejection, roads, rain, hands, scam, hospital, police, children, church, religion, dreams, happiness and so many others. Good bye Ethiopia. Very pleased to have experienced you.

PS. The plane in the picture is the plane we took from Gondar to Lalibela. The one we took to Johannesburg was almost as big as Weygoss Guest House, our last hotel in Ethiopia, just 5 minutes away from Addis Ababa international airport.

Thief in Addis (Ethiopia)

This man is called Elias Negash. Do NOT trust him. He is a thief.

Please share this message with anyone involved in Tourism in Ethiopia.

Fancy a genuine story not in the newspapers?

Do you like independent travel free of scams?

Then read on...

We met Elias Negash in the morning of Saturday August the 31st by the tourist information office by Merkel Square in Addis Ababa.

We spoke to the tourist information employee and Elias seemed to be known to him (later we found out that he had entered the office with tourists several times in the past). Since he seemed to be able to help us better, we left the office and went to get our bus ticket to Bahir Dar. He came with us to this bus company office next to the tourism office. We ended up not buying the tickets there as he had told us about a more convenient possibility.

He introduced himself as an employee of Goal Ethiopia and said was happy to help us without any charge. His motto was 'Whatever you do for others comes back to you in the future'. 

He spent quite a few hours with us in a nearby clinic were we had to go due to personal needs. He helped us there (this is where we took his picture). He also got for us a mosquito net, which he sold us for 430Birr, which seemed to be a reasonable price to pay for a new, high quality net.

He called his 'brother', who is a taxi driver to bring the net and drive us to a restaurant with good quality wifi, which is difficult to find in Addis.

He also drove us to Axum Hotel, where we could work online. On the way he asked for a local lady who did laundry and we left our clothes there. He spoke to staff members of Axum Hotel who seemed to know him too (possibly been there with tourists in the past).

He promised to collect the clothes, and the minibus tickets and asked for 200Birr to pay the driver, which also seemed to be quite reasonable.

The tickets of this bus costed 270 each, therefore 540 Birr. As he promised, he brought us the clothes and the bus tickets the day after, Sunday September the 1st when we met him again at Axum hotel.

We have kept the tickets, which he falsified, together with 'pre-booked' tickets with an open date to go to Harar. He asked 230 Birr for the pre-booked tickets claiming that they could be valid for any day, just calling the office.

He seemed to know quite a lot of the Goal Ethiopia organisation (later we found out that he had indeed worked there and had been sacked for good reasons) He had probably studied the Goal.ie website and knew that there was no phone number in Ethiopia published to easily confirm his claims.

On the morning of September the 2nd we woke up early and we waited for a minibus which never turned up. We had to take another minibus later.

We did not have time to confirm his authenticity nor the authenticity of the tickets and paid him. Total we paid him 430 + 200 + 540 + 230 equals 1400 birr, from which we expect he made less than 1000 bir net profit (40 euro).

Was it worth it?

We believe that a man with his connections, intelligence, communication skills and knowledge could easily make that money legally.

Why then?

1- Tourists are often seen in Ethiopia as walking banks. This is because many in the past have given excessive tips and charity donations. We encourage tourists to donate money to registered charities such as Goal.Ie, but NOT give money to beggars and give money only when corresponded with a good service.

2- Elias was not worried about the police. We found out why. After three long visits to a police station we realised that the lack of motivation towards work from many policemen is helping crime in Ethiopia. We believe that crime, even if not violent, should be prosecuted to promote tourism, increase jobs and allow freedom.

We are hoping that this message in the social networks helps all tourists. Please share this message with anyone involved in Tourism in Ethiopia, as others can avoid the trap.

Lalibela Funeral

During our stay in Lalibela, we came across this event, in which while some celebrate the life of the deceased others enjoy it playing table-tennis and fuss-ball, which, together with pool are very popular games in Ethiopia.

This busy funeral is in contrast with Lalibela's characteristic tranquility, which we could appreciate while sleeping at the Tukul Village Hotel.

Ethiopian House inside...

Would you like to see this house inside? We visited many in Gondar in the north west of Ethiopia. It is a very interesting experience, and we will be able to show it to you in our documentary. If you want to be among the first in watching it, join us on your favorite social network. Links available at the bottom of www.EducationalPaths.com

However, we preferred to stay in a very comfortable and clean room at the Taye Belay, which we recommend you. Its location, right next to the royal enclosure (which we could see from our terrace) is ideal. Its restaurant has the best food you can eat in Ethiopia. You often see local connoisseurs going there to enjoy an excellent meal.

Educational Paths towards the Blue Nile Falls

The Blue Nile waterfalls are only 30km away from Bahir Dar. A must-see-site, not only for the beauty of the waterfalls but for the people you see around. We left the Abay Minch Lodge, excellent choice of hotel in Bahir Dar, and took public transportation, which we recommend to those interested in interacting with the locals. In these buses you also travel with animals, holy grass to put in the floor of houses and whatever you can fit. That way they use all the space and save petrol, which is quite expensive for them.

Educational Paths at their best!

Exclusive news from Ethiopia.

Despite of what it is often thought in the Western countries, Ethiopia has a rich variety of flora and fauna. The dessert is limited to the lowlands in the south and the east. Ethiopia has a rainy season with long thunderstorms. We experienced the effects of one of them in our way to Bahir Dar. The only road going over this usually small river, tributary to the Nile, was flooded. We had to push our 4X4 as otherwise it could not move. This was part of the adventure spirit that we shared with the locals. This video is exclusive to our documentary.

May the force be against Violence

Very near our hotel in Addis Ababa (Hotel Bahir Dar) we find many Ethiopians singing and dancing on their way back from a massive demonstration against Islamic Extremism. It was very interesting to see how many people show their strength for their common goal. A very interesting experience during the beginning of our stay in Ethiopia. We are very keen to show you in our documentary how well they associate here.

Our telephone number while in Ethiopia will be + 251 927 16 71 25

Ethiopians add 6 hours to the European time, though they are at GMT+2 and have their new year on September 11th.

Beauty at work in Luxor

These images reflect the beauty of a sunset in the Nile river and the quiet sailing of the typical falucca along the longest river in the world. It is the view that we could enjoy from the Hotel Steigenberger's swimming-pool in Luxor. Despite of the recession in tourism, the hotel employees maintain high levels of activity and their attitude helps this fantastic hotel keep the status as the Nile Palace .

Fear and hope in Egypt

This video shows the hope of the Egypt as reflected by the activity in the food sector, second of importance in the economy of Luxor.
Fear has severely affected tourism in Egypt. We were the only guests of Venus Hotel, even though it is situated only a couple of minutes from Luxor Temple and has very cheap rates.

Egypt Turmoil? Relax at a Hotel in Sharm el Sheikh!

Fear is a basic emotion that helps being alert in situations of danger and as such is positive. Egypt's turmoil has created fear, but that did not stop Alejandra from relaxing in the swimming pool of this Hotel in Sharm El-Sheikh, sponsor of our documentary. We invite everyone to visit Egypt and avoid being limited by extreme fear. Go to www.OceanClubSharm.com and start dreaming on excellent holidays.
www.EducationalPaths.com
Learn to desingn your life.

Fear and laughter on the Dahab-Sharm Sheikh bus.

While media is broadcasting the current turmoil in Egypt and the fear associated with it, the locals manage to catch up with normal life, including fun. Alvaro danced and laughed with them.

From Asia to Africa: 18 hours in a bus in Egypt

Today Alejandra and Álvaro will go from Asia to Africa, through a tunnel under the sea. Thew will be in this tunnel only for a few seconds, but the bus ride between Dahab (Egypt, Asia) and Luxor (Egypt, Africa) will be around 18 hours long.

If you want to talk to us to know more about our EducationalPaths around the world or the current situation in Egypt, you can call us tonight between 5pm and 9pm (Egypt time GMT (London winter) +2). Our mobile while in Egypt is +20 (0) 10 27 23 76 25.

Working in Dahab (Egypt)

In Dahab, (Egypt) life continues and we are lucky to experience the shadows and the lights of each chosen path. One can learn from any decision taken, therefore all paths are educational. We wish the best to whatever path Egypt might choose.

Our telephone number for those who are interested in following Educational Paths in Egypt during August 2013 is +20 (0) 10 27 23 76 25

Petra's Bakery

Before we visit the ancient capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, we enjoy how our favourite baker in Petra makes the bread that is the base of most meals in Jordan.

Thank you Ibercaja

One balloon and three smiles. Life shines in Ammarin, a little village near Petra. These three children thank one of the sponsors of EducationalPaths.com's documentary around the world: Ibercaja Bank's social Fund

شكرا

EducationalPaths.com's documentary new sponsors.

Hotel East New Imperial in Jaffa Gate, Old City of Jerusalem, sponsors of EducationalPaths.com documentary.

The Hotel is within walking distance to the Holy shrines in the Old City of Jerusalem, The central Bus Station, the Tourist Information Office, the Post Office, The Main "Souq" shopping district and to wide variety of oriental and Mediterranean restaurants.

http://www.newimperial.com

Jewish cemetery

What are the requirements to be buried in this Jewish cemetery in Jerusalem? Obviously being dead, but also have quite a lot of money as there are many interested in the location. The cemetery is in the mount of the olives, in the Kidron valley, right next to Jerusalem. Behind this group of Jews, a mosque was calling Muslims to pray. No words required, their gestures and emotions explain everything.

Typical Israely family hiking the Israely north to south trail.

Interviewing a typical Israeli family doing the hiking trail which crosses the country from north to south, in the Kibbutz area near the border with Lebanon.

From the ancient Jaffa of Tel Aviv

From the ancient Jaffa of Tel Aviv (Israel) a couple of Christian Arabs tell us about their relationship and their projects together.  The ambience in the Jaffa is ideal for romance, narrow streets and many synagogues  mosques and churches. This interview will nourish the documentary ''Love and sex in the five continents''. They tell us about how long they've been together, how much they love each other, how many children they want to have, how frequently they make love and how their religion and work influence their love.
Toda (Thank you for your contribution to the documentary).

Educational Paths around the world starts in Istambul. Ramadan ends.

Music wakes us up in Istanbul in the first day after Ramadan. These musicians have awaken, every morning during a month, the residents of the the ancient Constantinople so that they can have breakfast before the sun rises. Today people celebrate the end of the fasting period and Byzantium's inhabitants get ready to the family reunions during the day.

Istambul, 8-8-2013

Educational Paths Around the World, CALENDAR

Educational Paths around the world

Educational Paths around the world. LAS in Switzerland

Educational Paths around the world

Educational Paths around the world is a tour with the proximity of the local people and their culture. Living amongst them and with a very austere budget we can increase chances of learning from their culture.

From August 2013 to May 2014 we are going to travel around the world with this aim and encountering different cultures, which could be grouped in this way:

From August to December 2013:

●      Educational Paths in Africa

●      Educational Paths in Middle East
From January to May 2014:

●      Educational Paths in the far-east

●      Educational Paths at the other side of the planet

●      Educational Paths in the far west