Leap Day

If today is really an 'extra' day that we only get once every four years, why are we working?  Shouldn't we be given this day to accomplish all of those tasks we could do 'if only we had more time?'

Why is today Wednesday?  I know, yesterday was Tuesday, tomorrow Thursday, etc.  But how fun would it be if yesterday was Tuesday, tomorrow is Wednesday, and today was simply 'extra?'

What would you do if you truly had an extra 24 hours of time?  I hope it wouldn't be spent watching television!

Volunteering Abroad

Now that I'm back from a lovely vacation, I can't help thinking about where to travel next.  I'm still not comfortable touring alone, but volunteering sounds like a great midpoint.  I've spent some time today looking over conservation volunteer opportunities (yes, they cost $$).  I'm leaning towards somthing with sea turtles or a rainforest, and focusing on Costa Rica or Equador.  There are amazing trips in Asia and Africa, but the airfare is quite a lot!

                                                

One of the most well known is probably http://www.earthwatch.org/.  Although quite pricey, fees are tax deductible.  Great if you itemize, but I don't.  What else is out there?

TURTLES
http://www.seaturtle.org/jobs/  --has many opportunities, all to do with turtle conservation.  The cost is less than most volunteer organizations that arrange opportunities for you.

• http://www.parisminaturtles.org--Costa Rica, $25 per day homestay. Carribean coast, 2 hr walk from La Tortuga Feliz.
• http://www.corcovadofoundation.org/program-sea-turtle-conservation.html --$270/2 weeks. El Progreso/Drake Bay (Pacific Coast)
• La Tortuga Feliz, Carribean coast just north of Tortuguero.  6 person dorms, $40 per day, spanish class $80.

http://www.asvocr.org/english/dondetrabajamos/ has quite a few projects, mixed reviews on Lonely Planet.

RAINFOREST

Tirimbina Biological Reserve seems to have interesting research jobs for volunteers, but the information on the  site might be out of date.  About $20 per day, no meals, has internet and electricity.  Ficus or Howler monkey research.  2 week min, north of San Jose.

WILDLIFE

http://www.rainsongsanctuary.com/volunteer.htm

ORGANIZATIONS

http://www.workingabroad.com/ one of the cheapest volunteer organizations I found.
http://www.tambopataexpeditions.com/expeditions/volunteer-placement-program.html
http://www.isvolunteers.org/
http://www.i-to-i.com/