When my sister invited me over for crêpes at her boss’s apartment, I didn’t realize I was actually attending a traditional French celebration. The Christian holiday of Candlemass, or Chandeleur, in French, takes place on February 2^nd and was created as a tribute to God’s light where candles were lit, blessed, and borne in a procession. The French tradition, however, involves crêpes, which are very thin pancakes that are usually covered with sweet or savory toppings and rolled or folded up to be eaten.

My last night before departing to Rio De Janeiro. Packing, tweaking out, spending time with family, and saying goodbye to my home- the tundra of Minnesota. You will all be missed (except for, snow)!

Amsterdam is impossible.

             The very existence of Amsterdam is something of a mixture of chance, dumb-luck, sheer willpower, and stubbornness. An old city still young compared to other European cities, Amsterdam sits among its canals and dams as a testament that impossible things do happen.

A few days ago marked my one month-aversary in Nantes. My host mother asked me if so far I believed I had progressed and have my expectations for France been met. I answered honestly when I told my host family that I decided to come to France with no expectations and that each day would be a new and interesting experience. Over the course of January, I’ve been to Tours, a small town of the coast of Nantes with the most beautiful little houses, went to the folle journée and by chance explored a botanical garden.

I’ve been here over a week and have so many experiences that already I am overwhelmed. Morocco is not what I expected it to be and I would like to share some of my observations.

Chun Jie, the Spring Festival, happens this Saturday at midnight. This year is the year of the snake. It’s really amazing to see Beijing being completely transformed in preparation for the year’s largest holiday. Buildings, roads, parks, restaurants are all being decorated. Red and gold are the main colors of the celebrations thought to bring luck, and ward off evil spirits.