Prior to my trip, I cleared the college library shelves of travel guides in the Netherlands and other Western European countries. I compiled a spreadsheet of places and activities, leaving a column to check them off. “Veni, vidi, vici,” I imagined myself proclaiming after a semester of countless culinary and sightseeing adventures.

Pft.

It has been approximately a week since I have arrived in the Netherlands. I have confronted numerous struggles and successes that left me riding on a non-stop emotional roller coaster.

There are so many things that I love about Rome. I love the people, the scenery, the history, and especially the food. Even though I haven’t been in Rome for too long, I have seen and done things that will stay with me for a lifetime.

Last weekend, I left sunny Barcelona for snowy Switzerland to visit my dad, who was in town for the week. My Thursday evening flight was quick and a even included a bit of Swiss chocolate after the in-flight meal.  The wind hit me as soon as I got off the plane, and I was immediately grateful for the mild weather we’ve had in Barcelona.

Now that orientation has come to a close (and we all feel sufficiently oriented) things are really getting under way! IES classes started this week. I’m taking Spanish Film Noir and Social Reality and Surrealism in Spain, which are sure to be engaging and both taught by top-notch professors. Because classes at USAL haven’t started yet, I had more space in my schedule this week to do what I’ve been most excited about: integrating myself into life in my new city.

“Dale limosna, mujer, que no hay en la vida nada como la pena de ser ciego en Granada.”

“Give him alms,woman, for there is nothing sadder in life than being blind in Granada.”

~Francisco de Icaza

S-salamu alaykum!

It has been exactly 10 days since I have gotten to South Africa, and it really has been CRAZY! To start off, “Molo” which is featured in the title of my blog means “hello” in Xhosa, one of the 11 official languages here.