This will not be my most interesting or insightful post.
Anyway-I landed in Frankfurt at 1030, I leave for Cape Town at 2250. As in ten hours later... I was all set to go explore the city but I got sick on the plane (yuck) and didn't sleep at all. So I determined I am too much of a zombie to wander Germany alone. Thank goodness they have sugar free redbull and plenty of outlets to charge my iPod on here.
There are these kids (guys around my age) playing some trancy electronic music on their MacBook behind me which is very good listening. I am currently watching planes go bye out the window... Only 6.5 hours left. Ug. I can't wait to get to South Africa. I still can't actually believe I'm going.
I need to learn other languages. I feel like such a moran whenever I go abroad because of this. It's my number one insecurity traveling.
Okay this was almost totally pointless but like I said, I'm totally dying of bordom at the moment.
Ac
Friday, January 14, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tomorrow!
So tomorrow I will be leaving, flying from Orlando to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to Cape Town. I'm flying with Lufthansa, which I've read only positive things about so I am hoping to enjoy a comfortable, pleasant flight. My only slight bit of hesitation about this entire thing is the 10 hour layover in the Frankfurt, GR airport. I don't know a word of German other than "thank you" and am probably going to be tired and confused while I'm waiting for my next flight.
I'm almost entirely packed, bringing only a small carry-on suitcase and a tote bag. I've condensed my luggage by a tenfold since initially packing, so I'm quite proud that I've got a carry-on only for 36 days of travel.
I am so excited to go to South Africa. I can't wait to meet the other volunteers, get to know the teachers, talk with the family I'll be homestaying with and explore the city of Cape Town.
It's hard for me to stop planning and looking ahead, for instance, I'm also working on teaching in Spain next October and planning my graduate school applications, but I have to remember to take these few weeks to really savor the moments of my trip.
-ac
I'm almost entirely packed, bringing only a small carry-on suitcase and a tote bag. I've condensed my luggage by a tenfold since initially packing, so I'm quite proud that I've got a carry-on only for 36 days of travel.
I am so excited to go to South Africa. I can't wait to meet the other volunteers, get to know the teachers, talk with the family I'll be homestaying with and explore the city of Cape Town.
It's hard for me to stop planning and looking ahead, for instance, I'm also working on teaching in Spain next October and planning my graduate school applications, but I have to remember to take these few weeks to really savor the moments of my trip.
-ac
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Why Travel?
So why bother travelling?
Earlier in my life it was to "escape" a life I "couldn't stand" and other dramatic reasonings of a teenager.
Then, it was to "explore" and assimilate into another culture, if only for a brief amount of time, and to inevitably return to my home craving more.
Now, this second reason still holds true somewhat, exploration of other cultures is one of the most rewarding reasons to travel. My focus now, after spending the past 3.5 years reading and learning about the world around me, is to understand by example. Through the intensive study of European and Latin American History, as well as European and Latin American politics, in addition to general political theory and Global Comparative Politics, I have built a basic framework for how I understand things in the world to be. I have studied influential political documents, books and manifestos. I have pieced together global connections and started to grasp the un-fleeting importance of globalization in this 21st century. I have personally researched extensively on the subjects of the development of nationalism in France and Latin America, also, the state of education in South Africa.
I am ready now, to see the world through new eyes, through an educated mind which will not rest. I will not stop asking questions, challenging things we so often accept as fact. I will not lament systems of old without dreaming up a solution of new. I will be proactive, not just observing anything, but doing, immersing myself, and helping to be apart of the change I want to see in the world.
This trip to South Africa, to teach, is not merely an "escape" or a chance to "see" life elsewhere. It is a chance to change, to develop and to progress. With the things I learn in Cape Town, I will start to make work in developing democracies a priority, while taking inspiration in order to help change the one I am a citizen of.
Take a moment to consider something previously unconsidered by you. That is what I am doing, and I will continue to say "yes" when I previously might have said "no." Continuous growth, continuous progression. Don't look back, only forward. Only consider what is to come.
-ac
Earlier in my life it was to "escape" a life I "couldn't stand" and other dramatic reasonings of a teenager.
Then, it was to "explore" and assimilate into another culture, if only for a brief amount of time, and to inevitably return to my home craving more.
Now, this second reason still holds true somewhat, exploration of other cultures is one of the most rewarding reasons to travel. My focus now, after spending the past 3.5 years reading and learning about the world around me, is to understand by example. Through the intensive study of European and Latin American History, as well as European and Latin American politics, in addition to general political theory and Global Comparative Politics, I have built a basic framework for how I understand things in the world to be. I have studied influential political documents, books and manifestos. I have pieced together global connections and started to grasp the un-fleeting importance of globalization in this 21st century. I have personally researched extensively on the subjects of the development of nationalism in France and Latin America, also, the state of education in South Africa.
I am ready now, to see the world through new eyes, through an educated mind which will not rest. I will not stop asking questions, challenging things we so often accept as fact. I will not lament systems of old without dreaming up a solution of new. I will be proactive, not just observing anything, but doing, immersing myself, and helping to be apart of the change I want to see in the world.
This trip to South Africa, to teach, is not merely an "escape" or a chance to "see" life elsewhere. It is a chance to change, to develop and to progress. With the things I learn in Cape Town, I will start to make work in developing democracies a priority, while taking inspiration in order to help change the one I am a citizen of.
Take a moment to consider something previously unconsidered by you. That is what I am doing, and I will continue to say "yes" when I previously might have said "no." Continuous growth, continuous progression. Don't look back, only forward. Only consider what is to come.
-ac
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Repulsion
In regards to the shooting spree in Arizona today:
This act of violence is a reminder of how completely failed the US political culture is. The line between "partisan" and "life and death" is blurred more than ever today. Calling for an extraordinary renovation of the entire political system in this country which breeds hate and extremes. Politics are about policy, not extremity, though that is hard to tell given the sheer divide of this "two-party system."
This act of violence is a reminder of how completely failed the US political culture is. The line between "partisan" and "life and death" is blurred more than ever today. Calling for an extraordinary renovation of the entire political system in this country which breeds hate and extremes. Politics are about policy, not extremity, though that is hard to tell given the sheer divide of this "two-party system."
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Like 15 Days
Boo. No Nice for me :( Au revoir nicoise!
It's okay, planning a day trip to Capri instead. The flight coordination to/from Nice just didn't work out and the rail fare was more than I wanted to spend. (Ciao Capri!) I'm just using the money I would have saved for Nice for a nicer accommodation in Rome, something more centrally located and on a major street. (Via Veneto)
STA Travel has many day-tours which I just may do. It'll be nice to have an expert guide and some fellow travelers as company. Since it's only a day trip, I'll still be able to be the *independent woman* that I want to be. (Speaking of, that's a GREAT song)
The good thing about having so many dreams is that they are interchangeable and not easily ruined.
On to the next.
EDIT:
Travel brainstorm for the next five years-
Beruit, Lebanon
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Cusco, Peru
Buenos Aries, Argentina
Back to Africa (have a feeling I'm going to want to spend a lot more time there)
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Belize
Dubrovnik, Croatia
...I enjoy travel-dreaming.
-ac
It's okay, planning a day trip to Capri instead. The flight coordination to/from Nice just didn't work out and the rail fare was more than I wanted to spend. (Ciao Capri!) I'm just using the money I would have saved for Nice for a nicer accommodation in Rome, something more centrally located and on a major street. (Via Veneto)
STA Travel has many day-tours which I just may do. It'll be nice to have an expert guide and some fellow travelers as company. Since it's only a day trip, I'll still be able to be the *independent woman* that I want to be. (Speaking of, that's a GREAT song)
The good thing about having so many dreams is that they are interchangeable and not easily ruined.
On to the next.
EDIT:
Travel brainstorm for the next five years-
Beruit, Lebanon
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Cusco, Peru
Buenos Aries, Argentina
Back to Africa (have a feeling I'm going to want to spend a lot more time there)
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Belize
Dubrovnik, Croatia
...I enjoy travel-dreaming.
-ac
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
EEEK
Less than a month before I leave for Africa/Europe. All in all this journey will take me to three continents. Amazing. So so excited to do this.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Whenever, Wherever
Ecuador in late spring?
Spain in September?
... or wherever the world takes me.
Graduating in a week with a strong push outward. Thinking globally, all the time, now.
Spain in September?
... or wherever the world takes me.
Graduating in a week with a strong push outward. Thinking globally, all the time, now.
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