Because the really exciting stuff is about Lebanon, and I get on the plane to Beirut in an hour, I'm leaving you all with random phrases to describe Budapest, Hungary, which was an extremely strange, hospitable, and exciting city.
scarred by WWII
elegant and poor all at once
Danube River
fog and cold rain
graffiti
extremely international
extremely inexpensive (big bottle of water=$0.50)
regal
and FINALLY:
smiley young (fit) Hungarian men with intense eyes operating the tourist buses
I would love to go back for an extended period of time. I loved being exposed to a language I'd never heard before, and to so much smiling. Anyone hungry for Hungary? Oh, that's been used too many times, hasn't it. Bummer.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Hello, Goodbye
I warn you. This entry is chock-full of wordy emotion.
Every time I dig to the depths of me, I find Beatles lyrics. Does anyone else experience this, maybe with another artist?
I am emotionally numb right now. That's probably for the best at the moment, though in the long run, I find it comes back to bite you. I've had the time of my life for the past 5 months. I've done everything I've wanted to do and more. People and their fantastic personalities have exceeded my expectations. I have seen sights people will only dream of. And here I am leaving. In less than 24 hours. Anyone who has ever had an experience like this, on whatever level, knows that life, on its most adventurous level, is a cruel paradise.
I am ecstatic to go to Lebanon. To participate first-hand in peacemaking, to understand a culture 100% unlike my own, to wrap myself in colorful scarves and Muslim chants. I am also terrified. I am incredulous at the thought of leaving the vivacious, huggable European exchange students called Erasmus, but I also know it is time for me to get down to business, to return to the people who make up my heart and home, after a brief and sultry (?) escapade in the middle East with crazy people like me. I am torn apart on this roller coaster, but fully capable of putting myself back together again. I am jittery and smiley and my eyes are welling up.
To Erasmus, you have touched my soul. In my blog I speak of the places I have been, but it is YOU, the people, who will be in my hearts forever. I fully intend on putting pictures up of every one of you on my wall next semester, and of bothering you on facebook.
To my home, I hope you haven't changed too much. Being away has made me realize how much I love you. I am not quite ready to come back, but I pray you have endless adventures waiting for me when I do, if I look hard enough.
To my future, though I glance back every now and then, I embrace you fully.
Speaking of that last point:
I leave in 24 hours for Madrid, which will fly me to Budapest, and then on to my Arabic program in Lebanon. Needless to say, six weeks in a Lebanese university studying Arabic is not something females, or 20-year-olds, or caucasian-americans, or westerners, usually do, so i will be continuing my blogging (though less frequently; my focus there will be total immersion in the language, hence less writing in english) for those who wonder how the hell I am, at a to-be-announced URL.
Here's a snippet to get you interested in why I'm going: a portion of the transcript from President Obama's speech to the Muslim world in Cairo, Egypt this June. Call it what you will--naive, gregarious, overly idealistic--but please read it. It explains some of my reasons for doing what I do.
I know there are many - Muslim and non-Muslim - who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn't worth the effort - that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur.
There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country - you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.
Every time I dig to the depths of me, I find Beatles lyrics. Does anyone else experience this, maybe with another artist?
I am emotionally numb right now. That's probably for the best at the moment, though in the long run, I find it comes back to bite you. I've had the time of my life for the past 5 months. I've done everything I've wanted to do and more. People and their fantastic personalities have exceeded my expectations. I have seen sights people will only dream of. And here I am leaving. In less than 24 hours. Anyone who has ever had an experience like this, on whatever level, knows that life, on its most adventurous level, is a cruel paradise.
I am ecstatic to go to Lebanon. To participate first-hand in peacemaking, to understand a culture 100% unlike my own, to wrap myself in colorful scarves and Muslim chants. I am also terrified. I am incredulous at the thought of leaving the vivacious, huggable European exchange students called Erasmus, but I also know it is time for me to get down to business, to return to the people who make up my heart and home, after a brief and sultry (?) escapade in the middle East with crazy people like me. I am torn apart on this roller coaster, but fully capable of putting myself back together again. I am jittery and smiley and my eyes are welling up.
To Erasmus, you have touched my soul. In my blog I speak of the places I have been, but it is YOU, the people, who will be in my hearts forever. I fully intend on putting pictures up of every one of you on my wall next semester, and of bothering you on facebook.
To my home, I hope you haven't changed too much. Being away has made me realize how much I love you. I am not quite ready to come back, but I pray you have endless adventures waiting for me when I do, if I look hard enough.
To my future, though I glance back every now and then, I embrace you fully.
Speaking of that last point:
I leave in 24 hours for Madrid, which will fly me to Budapest, and then on to my Arabic program in Lebanon. Needless to say, six weeks in a Lebanese university studying Arabic is not something females, or 20-year-olds, or caucasian-americans, or westerners, usually do, so i will be continuing my blogging (though less frequently; my focus there will be total immersion in the language, hence less writing in english) for those who wonder how the hell I am, at a to-be-announced URL.
Here's a snippet to get you interested in why I'm going: a portion of the transcript from President Obama's speech to the Muslim world in Cairo, Egypt this June. Call it what you will--naive, gregarious, overly idealistic--but please read it. It explains some of my reasons for doing what I do.
I know there are many - Muslim and non-Muslim - who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn't worth the effort - that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur.
There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country - you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.
All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort - a sustained effort - to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.
2 Weeks of Meis
Welcome to the step-by-step record of my adventures with mom, mostly for nosy family members (just joking, ya'll).
Toledo is now my third favorite city in Spain (bajo SanSe and Granada), the medieval capital of the country, where we stayed at Posada de Manolo, two minutes walk from the Cathedral. Along with the bouncy Alejandra from Mexico, a fellow Erasmus, we ate a questionable meat platter, bought damasque jewelry, and explored the tranquil brown cobblestone streets. The city was preparing for the feast o
f Corpus Cristi at the time; even the apartment building surrounding the local McDonald's had put up banners, providing a very humorous sight (see pic). I took a reflective walk at night amid the illuminated buildings.Olite: we rented a car in SanSe and drove to this out-of-the-way town, which makes the map for its fantastic Parador, a centuries-old castle that has been opened as a hotel to mystified tourists. one night in this place and i felt like a princess. too bad i can't expect that kind of treatment every night (hooray for youth hostals!!).
French Pyreneese: our itinerary resided around seeing the Pyrenees, the grassy/snowy/curvy mountain range dividing France from Spain. From Olite we drove to Ochagavia, which would have been an easy 2-hour trip if my mom hadn't forgotten to switch the GPS from pedestrian to automobile. So, 80km and 6 hours later, we arrived in Ochagavia from Olite. This Pyrenean village is picture perfect, tiny, and was still empty of tourists. I had a great time hiking the mountainous surroundings after dunking myself in SPF 60+ sunscreen. Oh yes, it exists.
Torla: here's where the trip takes a turn. We planned on staying the night in Torla, a short drive from Lourdes, but by that time we still hadn't figured out why our silly British GPS named Henrietta (don't ask) was taking us through cobblestone streets and every tiny village we passed. I had extremely clogges sinuses, so driving up and down through the Pyrenees was starting to fill my head with pressure. Eventually I reached the point of crying, even after laughing for a while when we figured out what was wrong with Henrietta. After reaching Torla I collapsed in bed, basically cursing the universe at the pain (I was overreacting, yes), and my mom disappointedly but kindly commented, "You know, we can cancel Lourdes." I flinched at the idea, but knew my sinuses couldn't withstand another day of mountainous driving. So the next day my mom and I hiked the area, then drove down and out of the most beautiful scenery we'd ever come across. I say with complete certainty that the French Pyrenees beat the Hawaiian coast any day. My Lord of the Rings book had come to life around me. Here's a tantalizing taste of what we drove through.
Elizondo: instead of making our way from there to Lourdes, we drove to a remote Basque village at the foot of the Spanish Pyrenees, where a kind Anjelica Houston look-alike checked us into an empty hotel. We enjoyed a menu-del-dia dinner made by a pleasant, vibrant French woman, whose husband was the brother of the owner of our hotel. Small, sweet world: Elizondo. She made us both laugh when we asked her what "queso de cuajada" was, and she responded with a straight-faced sound effect: "baaaah." (goat cheese)
Bilbao: we ended our adventure staying one night in Bilbao, at a hotel across the river from the Guggenheim, the fantastic but misfit silver museum designed by Gehry. really, i have no idea why he picked such an ordinary city for such a statement of a museum. the whole city buzzes around the enormous shiny structure; its curvy mirrored walls reflect the surrounding industry, river, and nearby forest. mom had a great time failing at taking pictures where it looks like we're holding the whole museum aloft. you know, like those ones you gotta take at the eiffel tower where it's balancing on your headafter taking touristy pictures, we woke up at 4:30 the next morning to see mom off at bilbao aiport.
Monday, June 15, 2009
I am Newsworthy ;)
...although the funny thing is, David Azevedo, a fellow LMU honors student, definitely gets the front-pager for a State Department scholarship to Tunisia :). Oh well, I'm still cool:
http://www.lmu.edu/lmunews/LMU_Senior_Immersed_in_Arabic_Studies.htm?DateTime=633800500200000000&PageMode=View
http://www.lmu.edu/lmunews/LMU_Senior_Immersed_in_Arabic_Studies.htm?DateTime=633800500200000000&PageMode=View
SINARC popularity!
Pleasantly surprised to find this article a week before arriving in Lebanon. So maybe I'm not crazy :).
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Madrid/Mom
Just a quick check in. That's all I seem to have time for. I had a great weekend with King Jordan of Madrid (with whom I went to Cadiz), Tatyana and Alejandra from SanSe, Felix from LMU (who is randomly living in Madrid this summer), and new friends from Quebec who were staying at our all-girls hostel, Kathrin and Jessica from Vancouver.
We did mostly everything: the Royal Palace, the Prado, Reina Sofia Gallery, a night of sangria and kebobs. We didn't stay out all night partying. But I think that may just have been a good idea in the end, seeing as I needed my energy for greeting my mom at the airport on Monday.
She looks GREAT. The air is different in Spain with her here...more comfortable. I feel less like a struggling student and more like a carefree tourist. I will enjoy this two-week vacation.
We are leaving SanSe this morning for Parador de Olite (previous blogs) and a weekend in the Pyrenees.
Feelings: though more at ease, also exhausted, confused, depressed. Begging that this period of my life will never end, knowing that it will. Well, that's life.
You are in my thoughts. Peace be with you.
We did mostly everything: the Royal Palace, the Prado, Reina Sofia Gallery, a night of sangria and kebobs. We didn't stay out all night partying. But I think that may just have been a good idea in the end, seeing as I needed my energy for greeting my mom at the airport on Monday.
She looks GREAT. The air is different in Spain with her here...more comfortable. I feel less like a struggling student and more like a carefree tourist. I will enjoy this two-week vacation.
We are leaving SanSe this morning for Parador de Olite (previous blogs) and a weekend in the Pyrenees.
Feelings: though more at ease, also exhausted, confused, depressed. Begging that this period of my life will never end, knowing that it will. Well, that's life.
You are in my thoughts. Peace be with you.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
A Ridiculous RunDown of the Next Two Months
It's both boring and senseless to sum up one's itinerary on a blog. No one reads it. But I have to share this with someone, so here it is.
A Weekend in Madrid
I leave Friday 5 June at half midnight (say the Scotts, I've found) for the capital, to spend all of Friday, Saturday, and half of Sunday there. This will involve seeing the famous Reina Sofia Gallery and the royal palace, but also hanging out with Jordan (with whom I went to Cadiz), Alejandra, Tatyana (fellow Erasmus girls), and Felix (LMU student living with his family in Spain at the moment). I meet my mother at 13:oo at Barajas International airport...and she and I are set to do the following.
Toledo, Burgos, SanSe
On the way back to "my city" SanSe, we will see Toledo, the Medieval capital of Spain, and Burgos, a not-so-fancy city only famous for its famous cathedral. We spend Monday June 8 through Wednesday June 10 in SanSe, and.,.
A Night in a Palace, the Pyrenees, Lourdes
...leave for Parador de Olite on the morning of June 11. In case you didn't read my last posts (shame on you), it's a PALACE. We're spending a night in a PALACE. Then we drive north through the Pyrenees, spending a night in a cute Basque homestead of our choice, and arrive in Lourdes, staying one night and leaving Sunday morning.
The Northwest Spanish Coast
From SanSe again, after Lourdes, we'll take a train so Santander, and from there to the so-called most picturesque village in Spain, Santanilla del Mar, which I've heard has become one hound of a tourist trap, and eventually work our way back to Bilbao on the 17th. The 18th, mom leaves for Amsterdam and for home, and I head back to SanSe, to bid farewell to my lovely city, pack, and jet off even further away. I have a 12-hour layover in Budapest, during which I will see this mysterious city, and then I arrive at 3:00am in...
Beirut
the capital of Lebanon. Six intensive weeks of Arabic (SINARC), trips to the cedars and the north. We'll be staying away from the south, which is, well, slightly peligroso at the moment, due to recent Israeli missiles. This will be the defining six weeks of my life so far, I have no doubt. Whatever that means. More on these feelings later. After Beirut, I spend two sparkling nights in...
London
the city of my dreams, capital of poets and wit and sexy accents and gingers. Then I bid extranjero-dom goodbye, and return to LAX, on, are you reading this, Molly?, AUGUST 4. That means exactly two months until I'm home. I'm in no hurry, at this point.
Feeling very free. Finished my last and most difficult final today, and I'm now a college senior. I'm feeling ready for a fresh start. Whateve roller coaster is coming for me, I'm feeling ready to ride it. Bring it on.
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