The 12-Hour Day

Okay, I know I said yesterday was the most exhausting day of my life--but I take it back. TODAY was the most exhausting day of my entire life. Twelve consecutive hours of class, meetings, and transit. That's more time than a week of classtime that I usually have in college. Is that not absurd??? So you can probably understand why I am slightly too tired to provide an intense reflection of the last twenty-four hours--but I'll give ya some of my thoughts. (This will be a v writing-intensive post, so I won't blame you if you skip this one altogether.)

First, a goal that I came up with today. We discussed the topics of travel and privilege a lot today, an intersection of which I and my classmates will have to navigate with a lot of thoughtfulness and care. We will have to remain conscious and respectful of cultural difference. As true as that is, and as much as I desire and aim to maintain that respect, I also hope to keep my sense of self, equality, values, and beliefs, even when I'm confronted by cultures and practices that may challenge them. I think there's a difference between respecting other cultures and recognizing injustice, unfairness, and inequality. However--it'll probably also be a hard terrain to navigate. So yeah, wish me luck.

Another goal--to ask meaningful questions. I LOVE getting to know people through questions that are inviting and evocative and personal. I think it'll be easy for me to get nervous and uncomfortable in situations abroad, but I'm hoping to keep my sense of inquisitiveness and interest in others. 

I'm starting to get close to a few of the girls and guys on my trip, which is so exciting and relieving. I kind of assumed I'd make some friends, but I was of course scared I'd be a total longer and that I'd have no one to take Instagram pics of me. BUT not worrying about that anymore,

Okay, I know this was probs so boring and so dry, but I need to get back to watching Top Gun and chilling out and resting after this ridiculously long day. GOOD NIGHT.

Aubs

Shalom/Ciao, Kajsa!

Today is a sad day--Kajsa, my travelling buddy/feisty Harvard peer/white counterpart (kidding, girl) has abandoned me. She left today for a week-long vacation in Italy before she returns home then back to school. So even though it will seriously be less than three weeks before I see her again, I'm about to pass out.

Me as Kajsa tried to leave work on Thursday

Kajsa and I have experienced a ton together. Here's a compilation of our cuuuutest pics:

Over the last two months, we've experienced: 

2 new languages

17 different cities in 3 different countries

Planes, trains, hitchhiked cars, trams, buses, and vans

Beaches, mountains, forests, and deserts

We've fought off creepy perverts; we've made friends with waiters, world travellers, and stray cats;  and we've traversed holy sites of 4 major religions.

At this point, Kajsa probably knows more about me than any other person on earth--travelling really does expose the quirkiest, most personal, and most unexpected pieces of a person. I literally know the most random and minute details about Kajsa, as well. So, if any boys are lookin' to catch Kajsa's heart, call me first, and I'll give you a 100-question test to decide if you're on her level, then I'll be your Hitch if you do happen to qualify. But if not...

Seriously though, Kajsa and I can communicate with just a look...

And I'm gonna miss her like crazy these next few weeks. So, even though it's difficult to say goodbye to such an amazing friend, I'm oh-so-thankful that this internship gave me the opportunity to forge such a cherished relationship with someone I'll be able to hang out with at Harvard!

So, Kajsa, I'll miss you, but I'll see you soon. Have a wonderful vacation in Italy--eat some passionfruit gelato, and drink beer even though you pretend to hate it, and stay away from dead bugs, and feed cats some more granola bars, and get off at anahaba'a, and find a CafeCafe, and find the man who is your "perfect match" who makes it past all your deal-breakers. 

Can't wait to see you soon!

Sending hugs your way--

xox,

Aubs, your "spicy" travelling partner