Hey, I don´t know about your ethical quandaries but I can attest to the fact that Europe dosen´t have to be as expensive as you probably expect it to be. I´ve been backpacking around Europe now for 9 months and I´ve spent way less than i thought I would have at this point. You just have to be smart and check out all the alternatives.

I don´t know what you mean by radical, I´m sure everyone has their own definition, but on this ´Euro-Trip´ I´ve helped with eco builds and renovations, worked on a camel farm in France, lived in Tipis and Yurts, hitchhiked with Anarchists and had a million other adventures that have made this past 9 months incredible. And I don´t really feel like I´m feeding the tourist machine because I´m getting right off the tourist track.

I´ve never been to either of your other destination options, but would love to. In fact, before this trip I´d been to Florida twice and been across Canada but that´s all the travel experience I had. That´s one of the main reasons I chose Europe, but having done this (and I wouldn´t go back and change my mind for the world) I feel much more confident tackling somewhere a little more ´exotic´.

South America is BIG. Like, really big. It takes a long time to get around there. If you only have a few months I'd suggest southeast Asia, or where I went, Central America. Central America is small but incredibly geographically and culturally diverse. You can hike volcanos, play in the rain forest, dive in warm clear water, explore Mayan ruins, swim in limestone sinkholes, and more. Every country is incredibly different from the next, and there is a lot of regional variation as well. Lots of opportunities to learn Spanish or a native Maya language, learn traditional weaving, volunteer with children, on farms or with local wildlife, learn to dive, learn to surf and more!

I'd go to Central America as Amanda suggests or South America. I'm not sure where you are, but if you're in North America, I think it'll cost a lot more to go to SE Asia. Then you can stretch your money a lot further. Europe's fun and all, but I really don't think it's much different than North America. Sure the buildings are older, the food is different, the language is different, but in the end they are 'civilized' wealthy countries, doing much of the same things that we're doing over here. See what I mean?

Undeveloped countries like in Central and South America would expose you more to a different way of life, where kids have absolutely nothing except a stick and some dirt to play with and are incredibly happy with it. I can attest for Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica. All wicked places. And if you really want to help something, as your post implies, then your money will do a lot more good in countries such as these. My two cents.

Amanda..."limestone sinkholes.." Semuc Champey? that place was almost unbeliveable

you hav emore money than you will need.
You can get a cheap ticket round trip to central america.
You can buy books, medical supplies, low cost clothing and take it to orphanages and schools in central america.
If you spend 50.00 per day that can be a lot.. you only spend 1500. Your ticket shoudl only be abotu 500-800 so you have 1000 to spend on books for schools and clothes.
Go to Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica to Hotel California .. Robbie can use books and supplies for the school she has built through her foundation. She needs in particular special supplies for many children with serious disabilities.

You can PM me mor e about it.
I brought books to a school there.