It is still so surreal to be here. I am settling in, getting used to the work and class routine, using the tube stations, etc. I am very comfortable and feel confident in what I am doing. The adjustment period has confirmed things about myself that I already knew (routine and rhythm), but it also…
Time Flies
I can hardly believe that I’ve already been here for three weeks. I suppose when I sit down and think about everything I’ve done I can understand how in just one week my first month will be over, but in the whirlwind of all things London, it doesn’t feel like three weeks at all. I…
Turning 21 in Amman with 12 cakes and 3 Parties
I am honestly feeling a bit speechless. Jordanian and general Arab hospitality is indeed world renowned, but the love I have felt these past several days is with little comparison. Turning 21 in Jordan was a dream realized. We left on the day of my birthday, September 19th, to a city named As-Salt, as part…
Why Nicholas Cage is Weird… in Arabic
A few weeks in and I am quite fascinated by Jordan, much more so than I ever had anticipated. Traveling somewhere new always brings with it an initial feeling of elation. Being in a new place is exciting! However, I have been in Jordan for several weeks now and still, the feeling has not worn…
Just a thought
I’ve been thinking a lot about time lately. I know this may sound a little repetitive since my pre-departure post was based on time as well, but now that I’ve been here for almost a full month, time is back on my mind. This all started a few days ago when I was on the…
Climbing Mt. Kurama
I did not get to post yesterday about my hike (after being so tired), but I just recently had the best day climbing Mount Kurama in Kyoto! I had known about the mountain and about the Buddhist shrine (Kurama-dera) that you are able to visit while you are there, and when the day of the…
Visiting Ancient Caesarea
We went on a group trip to the ancient port city of Caesarea, about an hour north of Tel Aviv by bus. It was built by King Herod around 13BCE to improve relations with the Roman Empire. The original structures were mostly destroyed during the many different times the city was captured. It saw many…
Settling in
I’ve been in Reutlingen, Germany for the past couple of weeks, and classes still haven’t started yet. I’ve done an intensive German language course, which ended last week and just finished orientation. It’s been frustrating, especially since I’ve been watching my friends talk about their classes, that they’ve been in for a month, and actually…
A World of New Food
I have been in Shanghai for a little under a month now. This is incredible city that is growing at an extremely fast rate. People from all over china flock to this city in hopes to hop on the growing train of success that is occurring in Shanghai. These people bring many things, culture, music,…