“I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” ― Mary Anne Radmacher

Getting my traveling papers was quite an undertaking.  You may remember the numerous times I had to visit the stinky building and sit for an eternity until my number was called.  Then, I had to wait and wait for my final residency stamp.  Unlike many of the others who came over with me in August, I was unable to begin my travels and found myself here during EID and Thanksgiving while co-workers were off to enjoy the holidays in places like Jordan, Bahrain, Paris, Dubai, Kenya, and Egypt.  They were frolicking in foreign lands,  and I sat in my apartment quietly counting the ways in which my life had already changed.  In those few short months, I understood how it feels to be a foreigner in a strange land with limited to no words in my repertoire of the native language (Shout out to the girls for teaching me and gladly quizzing me on a daily basis).  And although I wasn't traveling to exotic places, I was acutely aware that I was experiencing new cultures every day through my interactions with the teachers in my building who are from Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, London, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, the Caribbean Islands and India.  Even though, I was already expanding my thinking just by listening to stories of their home countries, I was feeling very antsy and looking forward to a bite from the travel bug!!!!!

On November 16, it finally came!  Although too late to plan a trip for Thanksgiving, I finally got my passport back with my residency stamp and received my civil ID.  It was definitely on and popping from that moment forth.  I was off and flying the friendly skies and have no plans to stop.  I have visited countries I once only read about in books and dreamed of visiting after watching shows on the travel channel.  

Sri Lanka

Malaysia

My first stop, as you know, was Dubai with Camryn for Christmas.  Then I was off to Malaysia to present some of my favorite instructional strategies to a captive audience at a curriculum summit.  PD takes on a whole different meaning when it's in another country and your captive audience is truly an international one.   I was thrilled about visiting here as it is the home of one of my best girlfriends, and she armed me with a list of delicacies I was not to leave without sampling.  She set me up with one of her friends who took me to the local haunt so I could eat like a native,

Thailand

and I successfully sampled every dish but one during that night on the town. Next, I was on to a much needed and absolutely relaxing long weekend in Sri Lanka.  I admired and envied the local people's contentment with the simplicity of life. Sri Lanka is also where I first experienced being mistaken as a Nigerian (LOL).  Then, spring break rolled around, and I found myself landing safely in Thailand where I enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and the beauty of Phuket.  Bangkok is something to behold and definitely left a lasting impression.  Phuket brought out my adventurous side.   I snorkeled, canoed,  and explored caves.   Now, I am eagerly anticipating my next destination, a mini tour of Europe with Camryn and my mom (London, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Rome) before I head home for the summer.

We finished the school year during Ramadan now, so daily life has been adjusted.  Our work hours were reduced to 5 (8am - 1pm) which has been great for getting in a nap.  It's around this time that everything closes down and reopens again at sun down (restaurants around 6:30, stores again at 8) staying open until 1 or 2 am.  I tried the late day shopping but am obviously not equipped for such late  night happenings.  Nonetheless, not wanting to miss the opportunity to  soak up more of the culture and expand my knowledge, I attended a Ramadan information session at the Aware Center and enjoyed an Iftar buffet after.   I came away with a deep respect for the strength (physical and spiritual) it takes to fast (no food or water) each day from sun up to sun down, especially in these 115+ temps.

During these nine months, I have found a renewed joie de vivre and gained a new appreciation for living comfortably and happily with the bare minimum. I have refused to buy anything that would not fit into my suitcase, and if it did, it had to have little to no impact on the baggage weight limit for traveling.  I understand what it feels like to feel alone or lost in a swarm of people. I have learned that patience with myself and others must be practiced.  I have stretched my thinking and adjusted my perspective in many facets of my life.   I have altered the lines of my comfort zone, and these days, Inshallah rolls very easily off my tongue.  In the evenings when I sit in quiet reflection, I am often reminded of a meme that best summarizes the entirety of this experience: Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.  I nod to myself emphatically.  I have certainly bought my fair share of travel, broadened my outlook on life, and am, most definitely, richer for it all.