My name is Lauren. I am a quarter of a century old and have two younger brothers. I enjoyed studying Language and Literature in Leuven. I was lucky and got to study for six months in Madrid, a city I still love to visit today. After graduation, I did two seasons in the French Alps. I like climbing mountains, tea, good food, going to the theater or cinema, reading, camping and swimming. The thing I love most is snowboarding in deep, fresh, light powder.
What was your first introduction to Ryce Travel like?
It snowed for the first time that year. I had missed my bus so I was a little nervous because I would arrive half a day later than arranged in Avoriaz, the village where we would be on season together. But then Ferda and Peter came and waited for me with their snowboard and I knew it was okay. In the days and weeks that followed, I got to know Ryce Travel. And I was immediately sold. Kyrgyzstan? Kazakhstan? Georgia? Their stories almost made it seem like I had been there myself. And I couldn’t wait to see it with my own eyes.
What do you think of Ryce Travel’s vision/mission?
Nobel. Courageous. Punishment. Tough too. Appealing. Entrepreneurial. Adventurous.
What do you do in daily life?
In daily life, I am a strategist at Absolutely, a (rather) small communications agency on the Vaart that seeks creative answers to the communication problems of noble clients (public services and charities and the like). I live in Leuven with five friends and a sweetheart. During the week I go climbing and to Russian class and on weekends I prefer camping. In the winter, I drink tea and read books. In summer, too, but preferably outside.
What have you done as a volunteer?
Last summer I spent two months in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. I helped build up and expand a new Ryce Travel “Hub” in Karakol, which houses rentals (camping equipment and mountain bikes in summer, ski equipment in winter) and eventually a bar/meeting place. Most of the time I got to be in the mountains and help at our basecamp – the Ayu Tor Ryce camp. There I was pretty much the link between the locals and the travelers. We welcomed people, organized their stay, gave advice in planning their trip, and guided groups. Back home, I occasionally help write for the website. And I also got to go on a study tour to Georgia and Cappadocia – the new 2019 Ryce destinations.
How did you experience volunteering?
How I experienced it? Enjoyed it I did, to the fullest. The camp in the Karakol Valley is a little paradise.
During my summer in Kyrgyzstan, I learned about the country (caution, I am far from being an expert). I was able to get an idea of what is possible, how things work there, and even picked up a little Russian and the counting words in Kyrgyz (Kyrgyz is a very difficult language). I also improved leaps and bounds in communicating without words (it’s not always easy to talk when you don’t speak a common language). Furthermore, I discovered that we Westerners can’t wait anymore – can they in Central Asia like the best. There is little planning there, or really none. The bicycle repairman will come when he comes, the grass we will cut when we have a lawn mower, and the patio, yes, we will start on that tomorrow. Or the day after. Or else next week. But that’s actually not so bad at all. In Kyrgyzstan, a different conception of time prevails. It takes some getting used to, though.
What do you think are the opportunities for tourism in Kyrgyzstan?
The possibilities are endless. The mountains! The valleys! The lakes! The mentality! The food! Freeriding! Tourskiing! Climbing mountains!
What moment stuck with you the most during your stay?
That’s a hard choice to make. I go for our two Kyrgyz friends, Ilya and Amantur, cook and logger of the camp. Because I found it extraordinary that we became friends without speaking the same language.
What dream are you chasing yourself?
I would like to live in the mountains again.
