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Coordinator Update! Sasha's Semester in Indonesia & Summer of AESOP

Welcome to the AESOP blog! I’m so glad you found your way here.

I’m one of three head coordinators for AESOP this year (my two co-coordinators are the most wonderful humans all you could ever ask for when planning 51 outdoor trips of varying difficulty) and we also have three stellar assistants. This post is comin’ to ya from Casino Beach in Cape Elizabeth, Maine (my hometown) where I’ve come to soak up some beautiful Maine summer sunshine before AESOP planning goes from a summer job to planningalldayeverydayandnight job.

This is what I’ve been up to for the past six months and how it all relates to AESOP (because, ultimately, everything relates to AESOP):

I spent the winter semester in Indonesia doing a Where There Be Dragons program. I had the credits and time to take a semester off (still graduating next year) so I figured time away from schoolwork would be good preparation for my thesis (maybe the opposite?) and a great way to immerse myself in a totally different culture on the other side of the world. I also wanted to live in different communities, speak a different language, get out of my comfort zone, and explore.

I spent the first month on the Island of Java (Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands) in the city of Yogyakarta. I did a weeklong bike trip around the city through rice paddies, past the largest Buddhist temple in the world, up the world’s most active volcano, and along the southern coast of the island. I spent the next three weeks living with a homestay family in the city. I learned to speak the language, and about the history, culture, customs, politics, and people of Indonesia.

From the city, I traveled to the Wakatobi Marine Preserve in southeastern Sulawesi where I lived with sea nomads on the ocean. Historically, sea nomads facilitated trade and culture across Asia, but as colonialism, capitalism, and globalization spread across the globe, governments forced the nomads living on boats to settle in homes. They built their homes on stilts over tidal flats and there are now sea nomad ‘neighborhoods’ scattered across the seas of Asia.  In the modern economy, they are an extremely marginalized population. After three weeks living in Sampella, I had no desire whatsoever to back to land. Living in, on, and off the ocean was way more fun and rewarding. I snorkeled over quickly dying coral reefs everyday, went spear fishing with my host papa at 4am, saw dolphins jumping at sunrise, had several encounters with sea snakes (the most poisonous in the world), and fell in love with the sea nomad way of life.

Next, I went to the island of Flores where I lived up in the mountains and in the jungle with another host family. I ate avocados, pineapple, papaya, guava, passion fruit, corn, and cassava everyday picked fresh from the garden. We harvested, dried, and roasted coffee, the third best in the world (I drank several cups per day and didn’t sleep for weeks). We climbed an old cinder cone volcano, watched sunrises and sunsets, went to three wedding dance parties, bathed in hot springs, weaved sarongs, and participated in the harvest festival ceremonial dances.

Throughout the trip I thought about and struggled with issues of wealth, health, religion, culture, and development. Knowing that I had unlimited access to clean drinking water from the tap back in Maine but also knowing myself and everyone else in the county had to purchase several plastic water bottles a day was frustrating. I watched most people burn their plastic waste or dump it into rivers, which is essentially what western nations do just with more oversight. We are very quickly collapsing the ocean’s ecosystems through overfishing and carbon emissions. Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, but five other world religions are well represented and all religions exist harmoniously.

I am so grateful to have been able to spend a semester in Indonesia, but was also thrilled to see my family again and spend time in New England. I came home and picked right back up working on AESOP. AESOP was therapeutic in a lot of ways as I struggled with reverse culture shock and assimilating back into western society. AESOP is something that has very tangible and exponential positive benefit to the Bates community—coming home and knowing I was helping a community I care so much about made me feel like I wasn’t leaving so much of Indonesia behind.

I’m spending my summer working on AESOP—answering a whole lot of emails and planning meetings, which has been awesome because I feel like I already know a lot of students in the class of 2019. I’m trying my best to make AESOP 2015 the most innovative, engaging, and rewarding round of orientation trips yet. Let me know if you have any suggestions! I’m also an intern working on the Maine YogaFest (a super fun and soulful long weekend of yoga, meditation, lectures, concerts, and events in Portland, ME), as well as working part time in an art gallery in mid-coast Maine.

Sorry this was a long one, but that’s what I’ve been up to for six months! I hope you all enjoy your summers and are looking forward to the next year at Bates. It’s gonna be a good one!

"Best Blog Post Ever" Co-Authored by Three 2015 Leaders

Greetings youngin’s!

This blog post comes to you from the joint minds of William Hilton, Liz Dolgicer, and Emily Bandoni.  We are currently on a patio in sunny Vail Colorado, Sunday morning in our jammies reading the New York Times sipping on Italian espresso of a cappuccino.  We’ve spent the past couple days enjoying the outdoors.  We hail collectively from Miami, Vail and New York City.  We are each leading a different style trip!

            I am William Hilton. I am gettin’ real amphibious real fast, good thing my toes are webbed.  I will be canoeing and hiking around the fourth longest place name, Mooselookmeguntic Lake, in the country.  My co-leader, Ellen Southworth, is currently navigating and guiding folks down the mighty Colorado for the summer.  After spending over five months gallivanting around Peru, I’m back stateside to travel by way of car even more for the next couple months.  Every day I would depart as the sun rose behind not knowing where I would be sleeping last night.  Fleeing from the escaped convicts in upstate New York where I began my journey, I had lots of fun meditating through Iowa and Nebraska with sights set on the West Coast, with aspirations of swimming amongst the seals in Pacific Ocean.

            Xin Chao! My name is Liz, I am from New York City.  After spending five months living abroad in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam, I have returned with many spring rolls in my back pockets, ready to take on AESOP 2015.  I have spent my summer days kicking it out on the beach, in Colorado, and in the offices at Christie’s.  I’m super stoked to paddle out on Saco Bay with my co-leader Maxwell Alley.

            Howdy! My name is Emily, my friends call me Lewis.  I was also living the dream in Ho Chi Minh City with Lizzy D.  I have returned back to my home stomping grounds in Ballerado.  Going into my senior year, I am pumped to be leading AESOP round dos with the same wonderful Julian Frederick Bardin.  We will be chilling on the Maine Coast, roasting some weenies, and brawts, discussing post US occupation in Vietnam.  So bring your thinking caps boys and girls, and maybe a buoy because you might drown in the intellect.

            At the start of our first year at Bates College, the three of us all embarked on our separate AESOP journeys and look at us now, chillin’ in Colorado, thanks C. Spencer!  As former AESOPers, we know first hand how valuable the AESOP experience is to the beginning of your college experience.  AESOP inspires you to embrace new adventures in a new state and make new friends. It gets you ready to get into the mindset of socializing and meeting new people!  We are looking forward to meeting Bates class of 2019 and seeing you around campus!  Peace out bob kittens!  

A Tribute to the Leaders

           The first memory you’ll ever have as a Bates student is most likely one that will take place on your AESOP trip; for me this was definitely the case. Of course you remember the first time you meet your leaders and the other students on your trip, but when I say “memory,” I mean your first moment as a Bates student that will stick with you for the rest of your life.

            My AESOP trip was one of the best experiences of my life (no exaggeration). Yes, lobster fishing off the coast of North Haven, Maine (an island off the coast of Maine with a permanent population of 355 people) was one of the most unique experiences of my life, but what truly made the trip remarkable were the people on it. I can genuinely say that I met people on that trip that I will be friends with for the rest of my life, two of these individuals being my two leaders: Abi and Reed.

            Abi and Reed truly became my parents away from home during my freshman year. The connection that these two seniors made with their freshman was remarkable. Whether I had questions about a class, a professor or just something completely random, Abi and Reed were the first people I went to for help. Experienced and extremely rational, Abi and Reed were amazing people to have in my life for my first year of college. In my opinion, my AESOP experience didn’t end when we returned from North Haven, it ended May 29th, the day I finished my freshman year. Whether it was Abi continuously giving me advice about anything and everything or Reed being an amazing and patient barber throughout the year, they were constantly helping me orient my life at Bates. I could also argue that my AESOP experience will never truly end because I know that my relationships with Abi and Reed will be perpetual. The uniqueness of my AESOP trip truly revealed the uniqueness of each person there, especially Abi and Reed.

By first-year Adam Blau

Coordinator Update! Jamo's Summer in NC

Hey y'all!

This is your assistant coordinator Jamo Karsten writing to you from the Montreat Retreat Center in the mountains of western North Carolina.  I am working here this summer as a Wilderness Ranger, a rather impressive title for an otherwise fun and relaxing job that includes public hike leading, trail maintenance, other general labor, and LOTS of time outside!   

A little bit about Montreat; it is a unique community, a blend of Montreat College (liberal arts!!!!), the retreat center which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, summer 'cottagers', as well as the small town of Montreat itself, all tucked away in a beautiful valley in the Appalachian Mountains.  

This past Friday I attended my first Barn Dance, a Montreat community Friday night tradition, which was an awesome Appalachian cultural experience and an absolute blast!  

The past three summers I worked at a wheat flour mill back in my home state of Michigan, so this new summer lifestyle is certainly a change of pace but it suits me nicely I think.  Summer is already flying by, and before I know it I will be done here August 9, have a week off, and then back to Bates to prepare for AESOP!  I'm so excited to welcome you all to college in perhaps the most exciting and unique way any students begin their college careers anywhere.  Enjoy your summers, have an absolute blast in everything that y'all are doing, and make to sure to stay on top of turning in all of your AESOP information!

Peace and Love,

Jamo  

4 Years of AESOP

Heya! My name's Cailene. This fall I'll be entering my senior year as a geology-loving frisbee enthusiast and I am stoked to celebrate 4 years of AESOP being a part of my life. 

What's the first word to come to mind when I think of AESOP? Utopia. It embodies the essence of Bates. It is a time where Batesies, both seasoned and fresh, come together to enjoy the beautiful wilderness of northern New England, get to know one another and become acquainted with the wonderland that is Bates College. I fell in love with AESOP the second I stepped onto campus in 2012, all bright eyed and bushy-tailed.  My fondness has only intensified with leading trips for the past two (going on three) years. AESOP is one of the best things about Bates for me because it is the first introduction to four years of fun and growth and learning and challenging yourself, all  while soaking in nature's beauty away from the hustle and bustle of the frontcountry. There is no better way to start the transition into a new life chapter than sleeping beneath the stars with sore calves, Annie's-filled bellies, profound conversations and new friends. 

I'd like to tell a little story: I've been hiking ever since I could walk, growing to love the outdoors and the magic that is mountains from a very young age. I'll admit that sometimes backpacking sucks. With burning calves, bruised hips and sweaty skin it isn't always hunky-dory.  But I love it for a reason. Last year I led Pemi II through the beautiful Pemigeewassett Wilderness in New Hampshire with my fearless leader Dana. We had a rockin' crew known as the Fabulous Fox. We tackled 5 peaks and what felt like a million false summits. The problem was, every time we hit a summit we were in the clouds and could see barely a foot in front of us- tough luck, eh? Most of the 'SOPers hadn't backpacked before and it was tough to convince them the hike was worth the pain. Though spirits were high and shenanigans were bountiful, knowing how gorgeous the Whites are had me itching to prove to them it was worth the achy legs. Then, on the last day of the trip, we donned our summiting hats and followed the first patches of blue skies up to Mt. Garfield for one last attempt at 360 views. The view was picture perfect. The energy of the group was radiating and we all felt an incredible sense of accomplishment. Seeing the beaming faces of the backpacking novices after soaking in their first true mountain view was truly magical. Magical for the AESOPers, and magical for me and my co-leader. 

I remember doing all sorts of new things on AESOP my first year, and as a leader it's pretty cool to pass on the torch and be a part of the experience for the next batch of Batesies. Everyone supports one another through the tough stuff, laughs through the rain and celebrates together when the sun is shining and a goal is met. Pardon my cheesiness, but AESOP really is about the journey. It's about meeting new people, getting stanky together, making trail food concoctions, telling embarrassing stories by the campfire and playing endless rounds of contact. Us Batesies are lucky cats to start off our four years of adventure with a bang by hiking or canoeing or climbing or surfing or doing yoga (the lists goes on) with new faces who just might end up being pals for life. 

After spending the past semester frolicking around New Zealand and tramping up all sorts of mountains, I can't WAIT to be back in the states and get my hike on with a whole new crew of bobkittens. Get ready for one of the best adventures of your life, friends. Maybe I'll see some of you on the trail! 

Love & Mountains, 

Cailene 

Welcome to Bates!

By AESOPer Katie Hartnett

Coming to college for the first time is a scary thing. Moving away from home, having to make an entirely new set of friends, and having to sit in class and discuss abstract topics with prestigious professors are all components of college that worried me as an incoming freshman. So naturally what did I do? I signed up for this thing called AESOP. I didn’t know much about AESOP, let alone how to pronounce the word (which is ay-sah-p in case you don’t know either), but I received an enthusiastic email that encouraged me to pick a trip—an offer I couldn’t turn down. There are plenty of reasons why AESOP was the perfect remedy for my pre-college fears: it allowed me to explore Maine in an environment where I didn’t have to worry about any logistics, it provided an space for me to connect with other Batesies on a level much deeper than just a simple introduction, and it was a super fun introduction to the lively culture at Bates before the start of classes!

One very memorable moment from my AESOP trip was when our group summited our first peak. Our leaders had hidden some treats the entire hike up, and we were able to sit on the top of the mountain, enjoy each others company, and share our snack with a really cool through-hiker! It was a hard hike up, but we were able to support each other and truly enjoy the experience of being in the outdoors together. In that moment, looking down at the beautiful wilderness of Maine, I felt like I really was a part of the community at Bates. I knew that if these group-mates were able to support me up the mountain, they would be able to support me through anything in school too. We were able to laugh together, work together, and learn from each other . . . college wasn’t so scary anymore!

I definitely owe my first great taste of Bates to the AESOP program.