The second you jump in the back of a ‘sarety’ or wooden ox cart, you know you’re in for an #adventure. Never underestimate the stamina of ‘añòmbe’ or cow – they will pull you deep into the heart of the countryside. — Reposting for @bloggingabroad #BAphotochallenge #Madagascar #Androy @peacecorps #howiseepc #traveldeeper

A photo posted by liv (@olivepretzel) on Apr 6, 2016 at 6:13am PDT

I brought this thermometer from America a year and a half ago. Either it’s broken, or the temperature is always 90 degrees. I don’t think it’s broken. #weather #BAphotochallenge

A photo posted by Ashlyn Anderson (@ashlyn_renae14) on Apr 16, 2016 at 5:07pm PDT

You could hear the whistling and cheering across town, harmonious with the sound of the heavy rain drops hitting the roof. Kids ran home to grab buckets, pots and teapots to collect the water. Here they are huddled under the broken gutter, dancing and laughing in the long overdue rain. The Androy region of #Madagascar suffered from a severe drought during the beginning of this year. This was the first rain the area saw in months. #BAphotochallenge @bloggingabroad #weather #PeaceCorps

A photo posted by liv (@olivepretzel) on Apr 7, 2016 at 4:18am PDT

My students have such an incredible #spirit. Serving others is so ingrained in their culture, they can’t imagine doing anything else. Today is the first day of Term 2, and almost all of the students have come to school early in order to clean the building and prepare tea for the teachers. I may not love or understand every aspect of Samoan culture, but I am so inspired by their willingness to serve. #BAphotochallenge #Samoa

A photo posted by Ashlyn Anderson (@ashlyn_renae14) on Apr 17, 2016 at 12:52pm PDT

Day 3 of the @bloggingabroad photo challenge – this picture captures a small part of the joy and happiness that is #Carnaval season here on the Colombian coast. This celebration, which officially occurs during the five days leading up to Ash Wednesday (but unofficially starts at the beginning of the year) is filled with #parades, #espuma, #maizena, and endless amounts of #vallenato and #champeta music. This festival truly does embody the true #spirit of the people here in #Colombia and my pueblo. #baphotochallenge #outandaboutincolombia #espumafordays #nothingbutsmiles

A photo posted by Michael Owen (@mowen1101) on Apr 13, 2016 at 5:51am PDT

Today marks @camppendalouan’s annual wear your Pendy shirt to work or school day. I did both as I taught life skills at a local school. Then, the faculty gifted me with one of the school’s new hats! I’m showing off both #Pendy pride and school #Spirit with Grade 4 today! #Lesotho #Pendalouan #pcthirdgoal #peacecorpslesotho #peacecorps #lifeskillsclass #baphotochallenge #bloggingabroad #SouthernAfrica

A photo posted by Beth Spencer (@lbspencer) on Apr 8, 2016 at 2:19am PDT

Each day living here, I learn more about the rich culture of the Antandroy. Here, high school students perform ‘tsinjake’ the traditional Antandroy dance at a recent ceremony. It involves lifting your knees high into the air while waving your hands in different positions. Their bold #spirit inspires me. #BAphotochallenge @bloggingabroad #PeaceCorps #Madagascar

A photo posted by liv (@olivepretzel) on Apr 8, 2016 at 7:54am PDT

A free and fast ride from the #peacecorpslesotho office to the boys camp I’m working this weekend? #yesplease It’s always a challenge turning #Lesotho schools into camps-hence the pile of mattresses in the back!#road #baphotochallenge @bloggingabroad #peacecorps #howiseepc

A photo posted by Beth Spencer (@lbspencer) on Apr 15, 2016 at 4:56am PDT

There are moments of walking around and being intrigued by certain people or objects. I wonder what their stories are. This lonely beat-up soccer ball looks like it has a history and I wish I knew it to share, but for now, only its portrait will be shared with you. Hope it has fond memories with its owner.

A photo posted by Lianne Bronzo (@liannebronzo) on Jan 13, 2016 at 10:18pm PST

It’s going to be so strange when my travel doesn’t include cows, pigs, turkeys, ducks, chickens, and donkeys blocking the way! #4monthcountdown #travel #mycommute #road #baphotochallenge #outandabout #home #howiseepc #bloggingabroad #peru #cows

A photo posted by Brooklynn 🌎 (@nosleeptillpeace) on Apr 8, 2016 at 5:48pm PDT

(2/2) With her, she brought an #unexpected gift. Playing with valala or grasshoppers is common among Malagasy kids. They like to pull their legs off before they fry them with some oil and salt and eat them as a snack! #BAphotochallenge @bloggingabroad #PeaceCorps #howiseepc #Madagascar

A photo posted by liv (@olivepretzel) on Apr 10, 2016 at 5:35am PDT

We were taking a normal photo when this deer decided to be fresh. @bloggingabroad #BAphotochallenge #unexpected #outandabout #nara #japan #travel #travelgram #instatravel #igtravel #adamandlianne

A photo posted by Lianne Bronzo (@liannebronzo) on Apr 14, 2016 at 2:06pm PDT

@jchrisflowers, @izzie_gal, @katietherain, and I were #OutAndAbout in #Criuleni this weekend and had an #unexpected and delightful run in with some clowns! And pikachu! The youth leaders from our local Youth Center “UNiT” put together a surprise for the community, to spread smiles for #AprilFoolsDay. We got hugs, jokes, and balloons! They further brightened a beautiful day! #ZiuaUmorului #ZiuaGlumelor #ZiuaPacalelilor #holidays #BAPhotoChallenge @bloggingabroad

A photo posted by Rebecca Lehman (@lehmanrebecca) on Apr 6, 2016 at 3:56am PDT

Day 5 @bloggingabroad #BAphotochallenge: #OutandAbout + #unexpected = Of all the places to find a garden, we were super impressed they were growing veggies out on this dried up coral reef! #Jamaica #ingenuity #garden

A photo posted by Intentional Travelers (@intentionaltravelers) on Apr 5, 2016 at 2:18pm PDT

On Easter, I am commissioned by my neighbors (as I am on many holidays) to be their official photographer. This is a family of women. The three babies that were born in this compound during the first months of my time in Solenzo, Burkina Faso are growing up healthy and strong. Every few months I am privileged to capture them and their mothers in all their #Elegance. @bloggingabroad #BAphotochallenge #burkinafaso #peacecorps #peacecorpsburkinafaso #easter #africangirl

A photo posted by Elèna Ruyter (@eruyter) on Apr 13, 2016 at 11:17pm PDT

Day 7 of the @bloggingabroad photo challenge – today we finally got a much needed rain shower. The Colombian coast has been suffering through a 7-month drought that has devastated crops, livestock, and the agricultural livlihoods of many local farmers, including my host father, who owns a papaya and mango finca. Sitting in my room and listening to the sound of the rain striking the tile in my backyard brings me a sense of #peace and tranquility. Here’s to hoping for more days filled with rain and cloudy skies! 🌧☔️💦😃 #baphotochallenge #outandaboutincolombia #rainydays #muchneeded

A photo posted by Michael Owen (@mowen1101) on Apr 17, 2016 at 1:08pm PDT

“GOOOALLLL!” Fans rushed the sandy field under the dark gloomy sky contrasted with a bright rainbow. The middle school girls soccer team just beat the high school girls but they came together to celebrate. #BAphotochallenge @bloggingabroad #peace #travel #culture #PeaceCorps #Madagascar

A photo posted by liv (@olivepretzel) on Apr 17, 2016 at 2:36am PDT

Was #outandabout and something caught my eye. And then my bunică told me to rest. Today marks the middle of Lent on the old Eastern Orthodox calendar. Having eaten only fruits and vegetables (no meat) Moldovans gather, fellowship and prepare meals, fish being a staple. My fave! 😊 #ZiuadePaște #pcvmoldova #BAphotochallenge #Light

A photo posted by izzygirl (@izzie_gal) on Apr 7, 2016 at 9:11am PDT

Even when things seem dark and stormy, the light is there. You just have to look for it. #Peru #baphotochallenge #rainshowersandsunshine @bloggingabroad

A photo posted by Adrienne Peck (@humandenominator) on Apr 12, 2016 at 4:12pm PDT

I am where I am supposed to be in this moment. #countitALLjoy #pcvmoldova #somethingILOVE #BAphotochallenge

A photo posted by izzygirl (@izzie_gal) on Apr 10, 2016 at 8:30am PDT

Tori and I spotted this weathered door while #outandabout in Guano, and naturally we fell in love with it! It’s the entrance to a historic church near the city center. @bloggingabroad #baphotochallenge #ecuador #somethingilove

A photo posted by Allison Wilhite (@awecuador) on Apr 7, 2016 at 4:07pm PDT

The Ministry of Education brought a #rumba instructor to the school today for their “Learning in #Movement” initiative. All I learned is that my hips can’t keep up with Ecuadorians. @bloggingabroad #baphotochallenge #outandabout #peacecorps

A photo posted by Allison Wilhite (@awecuador) on Apr 6, 2016 at 2:13pm PDT

The islanders of Amanati, Peru are some of the kindest I’ve ever met. They were so excited to have guests on their island, sharing their history and culture. They are people who never stop moving, working in the fields to grow enough food to sustain the whole community. The day we set sail for mainland again, the whole community came down to see us off and wish us well. 😍 #culture #puno #peru #baphotochallenge #movement

A photo posted by Adrienne Peck (@humandenominator) on Apr 13, 2016 at 11:49am PDT