Hi family and friends! A lot has happened since I last posted on this blog. I thought that I would be updating more frequently but I am finding myself caught in different time zones, jet lag, crowds of different people and many unknown places. It has only been 9 days into the trip and everything seems a blur. Between the tours, new food, smells, sites and people my mind has been on overload with knoweldge. I will write a few paragraphs about the past 9 days so far just to sum up what has happened.
Sunday August 30th
I stayed up all night packing over and over again. I was limited to 35lbs of stuff in my checked bag and one backpack so not a lot. Mostly the nerves kept me awake. Global did not feel real but I knew it was happening and happening fast. I ended up stuffing things into my suit case until the last second before we leave for the airport. My nerves made me physically sick. In a few hours I knew that I would be on an airplane trip only for the 2nd time in my life. My family and I did not know which airport to go to which heightened my nervousness. We of course went to the wrong airport but finally arrived at the right one 40 minutes later. As I do not remember my first airport experience well I was scared I was going to miss my flight. My dad had split up with us and it was not long before the group was leaving. About 5 minutes before we leave my dad shows up and I say goodbye to my family. It was very rushed and chaotic but maybe it was better that way. It did not allow for many tears. A few hours later I was off wheels up, over seas.
Geneva, Switzerland
We arrived in Geneva the next morning a 7 hours difference from the United States. Our time in Switzerland was shorter than I thought but it was a lot to take in. We did a bus tour and walking tour of the city. I do not remember much because in Geneva jet lag hit me bad. I would stay up until 5am, wake up at 8 and have a full day of UN presentations, touring, and experiencing the city. For the moments I was awake, the United Nations was remarkable. I had not known much about the UN before. We had speakers from many different and inspiring backgrounds talk to us about Peacekeeping, Human rights, UNICEF, UNEP, WHO the World Health Organization, OCHA, Refugees and development. We stayed at the John Knox Centre and had free time after the UN to explore the city. I visited the rose gardens, saw the Alps, Lake Geneva and its 450ft fountain, ate a bar of swiss chocolate and mastered the bus system- oh yeah and learned some French. =)
We spent a night in France just over the boader about 5 minutes from Geneva. A few girls and I ate at a resturant called Buffalo Wings. It was my first westernized resturant dinner in a foreign country.
I love how the lifestyle is here in Europe. So peaceful and meals last long. I like that even though we are busy traveling I do not feel the rushed, fast food like feeling I had in America. I felt way too safe in Switzerland- almost as if I was at St. Olaf again. Green grass, everything maintained and beautiful. Trusting people, neutraility, low crime rate, amazing food. The only difficult thing was how overly expensive everything was and the language barrier but it was so much fun to attempt to speak French.
Istanbul, Turkey
Flying into Istanbul was beyond words. We flew over the Sea of Marmara and saw many buildings, houses and apartments all clumped together. Very different from Switzerland. I had no visual image of Turkey before I came here and let me just say it is beautiful. We are staying in a hotel that overlooks the sea. There are seagulls over our heads, merchants shoving items in our faces and shouting for us to buy, breathtaking mosques, ancient monuments, and palm trees! This city is half western half middle east. We went on an 8 hour tour into the Blue Mosque, Topika Palace, and the Haiga Sophia. Again all a blur. There was too much to take in. Too overwhelming. Most of the ground I walked upon in these places was ancient. There was history with every step.
A few times we have gone out to the markets. At this time in the year it is Ramadan- the month of fasting practiced by Muslims from dawn until sunset. After 8pm the city is crowded with people eating and celebrating. We saw a parade and many street vendors selling crazy food I have eaten so many interesting things so far I do not even know what they are. I am starting to get over jet lag finally but I am still torn between exhasution and excitement for new places. I have gotten harrassed by the locals and the merchants many times so far. I am learning the history and the tricks of the street. It is amusing the pick up lines that many men will use. While some places and people may seem sketchy and in your face this city is really great. Its interesting how many more people speak english here than they did in Switzerland.
Last night we went to a place called Taxsim, ended up walking an hour and a half there. I am going to come back in such good shape! haha. Taxsim is where all the young kids go and is very Westernized. We went clubbing. Today we went to the beach and swam in the Black Sea! I have never seen a sea or even an ocean before so it was really exciting for me. In reality though I am experiecning a lot of things I have never seen before in my life every day.
Within the next few days I am going to try to learn as much as I can about the culture and religion. Prepare for Egypt if that is at all possible- probably not. However I have learned a lesson from experience- If you are in Turkey or Egypt, or any other Middle Eastern country never go outside with your hair wet as it means you just had sex. I already have enough negative attention to me as a white, blond haired American I do not need more. I am going to practice bargining in the shops while I am in Turkey I think. It will help me throughout the trip as most people try to sell you something double the price. It is really hard to know what is going on here. When every thing is so foreign it is easy to get scammed. But it is all apart of the experience and I am becoming fully submerged.
I may not get to write on this blog often as computers and time are hard to find. After Turkey I hear internet is also hard to come across so when I can I will update. It may be a short list of things I have seen or done, a story, or a long summary like this. Either way my experiences are beyond words but still stay posted. I am hoping to make an account to post pictures soon as well.
With peace and love,
Molly
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