// February 27th, 2012 // 7 Comments » // Photo of the Week, Turkey
Built in the 6th century, the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul is located just across from Hagia Sophia. It was used as a reservoir for water storage. There are 366 columns. I can’t fathom why one might build such an elaborate space underground for water, but it’s beautiful and worth the 10 TL to enter. (more…)
// February 23rd, 2012 // 8 Comments » // Turkey
No Istanbul itinerary is complete without a stroll across the Bosphorus River on the Galata Bridge. The bridge is lined with fishermen and the mosques make for a picturesque background. Since we were staying near Taksim Square, we decided to walk to the Old City so we could stroll across the bridge. (more…)
// February 21st, 2012 // 7 Comments » // Turkey
Situated near Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is another grand structure called the Blue Mosque. Built in 1609, Sultan Ahmet I wanted to construct a mosque that was more beautiful than Hagia Sophia. While I am partial to Hagia Sophia, it is a pretty spectacular sight. It is also the first operating mosque that I have ever been inside. (more…)
// February 20th, 2012 // 2 Comments » // America, Photo of the Week
I spent the summer of 2006 studying in Hawaii. And it was blissful. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Since I started this blog well after that summer, I’d like to go back and share some of the amazing places I explored on Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island. (more…)
// February 16th, 2012 // 5 Comments » // Turkey
Maybe you read yesterday just how much I love Hagia Sophia. If not, then yes, feel free to go check it out. Because I loved it so much, I thought I would post some more of my favorite photos of it in sepia. (more…)
// February 15th, 2012 // 4 Comments » // Turkey
Initially a church, then a mosque, Hagia Sophia is now a museum in Istanbul. Hagia Sophia means ‘divine power’, and it’s truly one of the most stunning architectural creations I have ever stepped foot in. (more…)
// February 14th, 2012 // 2 Comments » // Travel Reflection
Abe finds a girlfriend
Valentine’s Day is truly a Hallmark holiday. I have a conspiracy theory that it was secretly created by flower associations, chocolate factories, and greeting card vendors so they could receive a huge spike in sales. And, hey, I don’t blame them. As a consumer, while I don’t really have an interest in the holiday, who doesn’t want an excuse to eat heart-shaped Reese’s peanut butter cups? (more…)
// February 9th, 2012 // 11 Comments » // Kenya
Visiting the City Market, Nairobi
My final week in Kenya was extremely stressful. I wrote quite a bit about it but have decided to move on to happier trails. However, I will leave you with the following excerpt as just one of the days that I experienced:
I’m sitting on a stool in my dimly lit hotel room with my head resting back against the wall. As the evening breeze, passing through the window, cools my sweating forehead and eases the discomfort of my head cold and anxiety, I contemplate why the world is so cruel…. (more…)
// February 8th, 2012 // 9 Comments » // Kenya
I have been writing about searching for a secondary boarding school for someone who is like my little brother in Kenya. If you’ve missed them, you might want to catch up on the previous posts before reading the final post in this series:
The School Search Begins
The Time I Cried in the Principal’s Office
Gaichanjiru: Could This Be It?
Gaichanjiru: Don’t Cry This Time
At 9pm the night before, I was completely exhausted. It was a long day and combined with little sleep, it had taken it’s mental and emotional toll on me. I briefly chatted with a few of the other volunteers when I returned from Gaichanjiru who wanted an update on the day, and then I intended to go straight to bed. But I ended up sitting in the office with an extremely funny volunteer and sharing stories from Kenya and laughing until my sides hurt, and suddenly I was falling into bed at midnight. Sometimes exhaustion must succumb to laughter to put mental well-being back on track.
// February 7th, 2012 // 5 Comments » // Kenya
I have been writing about searching for a secondary boarding school for someone who is like my little brother in Kenya. If you’ve missed them, you might want to catch up on the previous posts first:
The School Search Begins
The Time I Cried in the Principal’s Office
Gaichanjiru: Could This Be It?
Onesmus, John, and I on another day wearing our Sunday best
We reach the tarmac road, climb off the bike, and cross the street to catch a matatu to Kenol. With ease, and some great 90s music, we reach there at 7am. I encourage John to eat something so we stop at a hotel to take chai, and John has some nduma (arrowroot). We board our next matatu, get off at a motorbike stand down the road and take 3 motorbikes to the high school (Motorbikes here charge per person, so by taking 3, we’re simply spreading the work across a few of them). After a beautiful, and much smoother solo ride, we arrive at the school just before 8am. We are covered in dust, and I hand John some tissue to wipe down his shoes. Even the edges of his white shirt collar are a nice shade of orange from the dust of the red clay roads, but it can’t be helped. (more…)
I love to travel, run, volunteer, and explore this crazy world! If it involves an adventure or a passport, count me in! For more about me, click here.
