Hello! In the weeks since I last updated, my life has fallen into a steady routine. Since I do not have anything particularly extraordinary to update you all on this week, I decided to use this space to provide you with rundown of my typical “day in the life.”

Each day starts between 7:30 and 8:00 am when I get up, quickly get ready for the day, and head downstairs to our other volunteer apartment for breakfast. I am usually greeted by our wonderful caretaker, Karen, and the other volunteers. Breakfast each day can vary but is usually something along the lines of yogurt, eggs, mandazi (sweet fried bread – typical Kenyan breakfast food), sweet potato, or oatmeal with fruit. I also always start my day with a cup of coffee, either black instant coffee or brewed with my AeroPress. After enjoying breakfast, we begin our commute to the office, most often using Uber but occasionally we use the local buses, called matatus.

We arrive at the office in Kibera by 9:30 each morning. At the office, we usually have a quick check-in with our manager, Edna, and solidify the plan for the day. On Thursdays this time also includes a short meeting with the UCESCO psychologist for a mental health session. We then depart for our projects for the day. The other volunteers usually disperse to the schools, and I make my way to ACK clinic. We are always accompanied by one of the local UCESCO staff as we walk to the sites. My walk is relatively short – only about 7-8 minutes – and includes walking through a market and matatu stop and greeting all the shop owners and matatu drivers I see each day.

Once I arrive at the clinic, I am greeted by Arafa, the receptionist and assistant at the clinic. I also usually stop into the dental office to say hello to the dentist, Elphi, and the lab to greet the lab techs, Darius and Issac. I then go into the exam room in the back of the clinic to meet with the doctor and help him prepare to see patients for the day. We usually have a steady stream of patients each day and can see anything from prenatal cases to flesh wounds to common infections. My role in the patient care typically involves taking the patient’s vitals and history, escorting patients to the lab if needed, preparing medications and IV injections the doctor prescribes, and assisting with any minor procedures that may be necessary. We may see anywhere from 5-15 patients in a day. In my time working in the clinic, I have already developed relationships with our regular patients and it’s always nice to see one of them come in and have the chance to catch up and chat with them.

Between 3 and 4 pm I wrap up my work for the day and either meet up with the other volunteers or call an Uber and head home by myself. With traffic, the drive back to our apartment can take 45 minutes to an hour and I usually spend this time reading or talking with the driver or other volunteers. Most days, I stop off at the grocery store – Niavas – across the street from my apartment to pick up a quick lunch and other necessities. I have become obsessed with their chicken samosas from the hot food section and will grab 4 of them and a pack of broccoli – delicious lunch for just under $2. I then will head across the street to my apartment.

By the time I make it into the apartment, it’s usually between 5 and 6 pm and my evening routine usually consists of a shower, maybe doing laundry, playing many games of solitaire or other card games with the volunteers, reading or watching a show (Dancing With the Stars on Wednesdays, always), and catching up with Karen as she prepares dinner. Occasionally there are deviations to this, like if we go to a mall or a restaurant after work instead of heading home, but by-and-large weeknights here are pretty chill. I usually climb into bed for another hour or so of reading or watching a show around 10 and get ready to do it all over again tomorrow.

The past two weeks in San Pedro have unfolded at a slower, more deliberate pace than usual. With most of my coworkers, including my boss, out of town, I’ve had the rare opportunity to experience this space more independently. While the office felt quieter and the rhythm of daily tasks more relaxed, I found this time to be valuable in a different way. It gave me the space to focus on personal goals I had been putting off—goals that often get buried under the noise and busyness of everyday responsibilities.

Living in San Pedro continues to be a unique and enriching experience. I’ve enjoyed immersing myself in this new culture and environment, but I’m also learning how easy it is to be so present in the moment that future planning can slip away. If there’s one thing this experience has taught me, it’s that time is moving quickly. With hopes of pursuing a master’s degree in Fall 2026, I’m reminded that preparation must begin now, reaching out to professors, drafting application essays, and organizing the many requirements that come with this next chapter. My hope during this season is to become more disciplined in my dreams, knowing that much of my success so far has come from thoughtful planning.

Beyond professional and academic aspirations, I’ve been navigating another reality—loneliness. Some days here feel heavy with the absence of my community. I miss the ease of being known, of not having to explain myself or justify how I think or feel. I miss the familiarity and security that come with longstanding relationships. Though I’ve met some amazing people and have experienced genuine moments of connection, there are still days when I feel like an outsider—unsure of whether I’m truly welcome or simply tolerated. Trying to integrate myself into the lives and plans of others can feel invasive at times, like I’m intruding rather than belonging.

Even so, I’m incredibly grateful for my roommate, Sydney. Her presence has been grounding and consistent in the midst of this transition. We’ve created a nightly ritual of sharing dinner while watching an episode of Gilmore Girls, which I’ve never seen before. She’s brought a sense of home into this unfamiliar place, and I’m confident that our friendship will continue long after my time here ends.

My life has shifted in so many small but meaningful ways since arriving here, from the foods I eat to the hobbies I’ve taken up in my free time. More than anything, I feel a strong desire to grow—to learn, explore, and embrace the challenge of adapting to a space that wasn’t built with me in mind. That challenge, though uncomfortable, has helped me develop a deeper appreciation for the life I’ve left behind and the new opportunities ahead.

Though these last two weeks may have felt quieter, I’m learning to value the slow seasons. They offer space for reflection on both the joyful and difficult moments and allow me to share my journey with honesty and gratitude.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Two more weeks have flown by and I can’t believe I’m already here writing again. Life here recently has been filled with a lot of “I can’t believe this is my life” moments that have made me reflect on how thankful I am to be living in this new reality that really feels like a dream. I’m never quite sure how I’m going to use my 500 words to describe the experiences I’ve had each week until I brain dump my thoughts and end up with something, but this week I want to share a specific moment from this week that helped me to redefine how I want to view this next year of my life:

On Tuesday, we hosted an entrepreneur workshop for community members focusing on creating a business model and finding the purpose and value behind it. It’s a lesson I’ve heard a multitude of times throughout my college career in a variety of different entrepreneurship classes, but I had never been on the delivering side of it before. It was such a unique experience to hear these individuals share the dreams they have of what they want their businesses to be one day, and help them find their value and voice behind that business model. 

It made me think of where I was when I was on the receiving end of these classes. Just last year, sitting in my senior year venture planning class, creating a business model and finding the value in that business that only I could bring into the market. But rather than dreaming about making that business a reality one day, I was dreaming about helping other people bring their dreams to life. I dreamed about living abroad, doing everything I could to make this world a better place. I dreamed about the life I am living right now. 

After the workshop was finished, I went out with some of my coworkers to get an early dinner. As we were sitting together, we started talking about our own lives, and what we wanted for our own futures. As I was talking, I started to realize that even though I am barely 2 months into this year-long experience, I’m already thinking and worrying about what’s next: Where do I want to move? What job do I want to get? Where else will I be able to travel to? Do I need to start making plans already? We talked about how easy it is to be continuously focused on what’s next, rather than enjoying where you are right now. It was a  wake up call to compare myself a year ago, dreaming about where I am right now, to myself now, living a dream come true but worried about what’s next. 

So, I made that a new goal for my time here. Even if I don’t know what comes next, I want to focus on where I am now. I want to live this experience the best I can, enjoying each day as it is given to me. What a blessing it is to be here! 

With love, Sarah

featuring random pictures from a concert I went to this week because I need to get better at documenting my time here 🙂

Kalispera friends – this post is a few days late because I’ve been grappling with how to go about writing this. I’ve been apprehensive to share this story, because it is one that is so common on this island yet also so fragile and sensitive that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to share it publicly. However, I’ve tried multiple times to sit down and write other stories from the past two weeks, and this is the only story I wanted to share. 

The past two weeks here have been beautiful, full of the last beach days of summer, delicious food at the local taverna (zucchini flowers and fried feta are some of my personal favorites) and saying goodbye to friends leaving the island to return to university. Swim lessons have ended as the water gets colder, although I am continuing to volunteer in the evenings at the gym that hosts the swim lessons. 

But amidst this beautiful experience I am having here, there is the duality of this island. Recently, I went on another camping trip and it was lovely. We looked at the stars, talked and laughed for hours, and shared an amazing meal together. But little did we know that just a few hours after we zipped ourselves into our tents and sleeping bags for bed, safely protected from the strong winds, a boat carrying asylum seekers would be arriving about 100 feet away from us. 

I have seen a lot of the media surrounding the crisis and talked to people about their experience coming to the island, but something about seeing it firsthand brought tears to my eyes. After they had been taken to the camp, my friend and I walked along the shore to make a pile of life vests to be made into bags. We found about 10 life vests for a boat carrying dozens of people. So many people made this trip with nothing to protect themselves if something were to go wrong, on the windiest and coldest night since I have been here. 

These are the stories we don’t often hear in the United States. We know about the crises abroad, but we don’t see this. The people who make these journeys, the few things they carry with them, and the courage they must have to leave everything behind. 

I want to write more about life on Lesvos and all of the beautiful things I am experiencing in this place I am falling in love with. The interesting people, the beaches, the close-knit community of island life, and the work that I am becoming even more passionate about by the day. But this was a part of my experience that will resonate with me for years to come, and for now it is all I wanted to share here. 

In the meantime, I had a busy two weeks, here are some photos of things I got up to...

morning run with the craziest view

had traditional food from pakistan for lunch at my internship... it was delicious

gryo on the beach to start my weekend !

some more bags in the workshop!

Hello! Following my last post, I am due to update you all on my time spent in Mombasa!

I traveled to Mombasa with a fellow volunteer to spend a week on the coast engaging with and participating in the projects UCESCO manages there. My week was spent beach cleaning, visiting a local clinic, and visiting a local school that UCESCO has partnered with. It was interesting to see how the healthcare priorities and needs vary from those in Nairobi. For example, the clinic in Mombasa hosts a robust contraceptive campaign and regularly administers most types of medical contraceptive, from the pill to the implant to the IUD. While family planning care is offered in the clinic I work at in Nairobi, seeking that type of care is not nearly as normalized and there is not access to every form of contraceptive like in Mombasa. I also noted how the common infectious diseases of each area were different. In Nairobi, the clinic mostly handles bacterial and viral respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract infections. In Mombasa, on the other hand, the clinic frequently sees cases of malaria, yellow fever, and other mosquito-borne infections, treats a wider variety of STI’s, and is an established tuberculosis treatment center. The differences among these common infections can be attributed to a variety of factors, from varied access to clean food and water to the climate.

The week was full of ups and downs but, overall, I enjoyed my time in Mombasa. I am grateful to have gotten the opportunity see more of the country and experience a very different culture and lifestyle from what I have become accustomed to in Nairobi. Mombasa is so different from Nairobi. Where Nairobi is a lush, green city built in a forest, Mombasa is a sunny city of islands with palm trees lining every street. Where Nairobi is fast-paced, Mombasa is laid-back.

My use of free time was also very different from being in Nairobi. Most afternoons and evenings in Mombasa were spent on the beach. While there, I got to see most of the public beaches and they were all so beautiful but all so different. Shelly Beach – where we went on the days we participated in beach cleaning – has a sprawling beach and you can walk kilometers in shallow water before reaching the end of the sand bar. Nyali and Mombasa Beach, on the other hand, are both short beaches with deep water.

On the Saturday that I was there, UCESCO hosted a community outreach beach cleaning event similar to the tree planting event I spoke about in an earlier update. Despite pouring rain, it was a great event centered around making a tangible impact on the environment with other environmentally-focused NGOs, companies, and individuals.

Since returning to Nairobi, I have gotten back into my routine at KAC Clinic. My workweek was spent much like weeks past, assisting in the clinic during the day and spending time with other UCESCO volunteers in the evenings.

Sunset view from the train back to Nairobi.

Afternoon spent reading on the beach. Did you notice the camel sitting on the beach?

Beach cleaning at our outreach event

Tried madafu (unripe coconut) for the first time – very sweet but quite good.

Mombasa tusks sculpture – these were built as a welcoming gift for Queen Elizabeth in the 1950’s (prior to Kenya’s independence from British rule).

On the beach with Ofright (UCESCO’s manager for Mombasa).

Hello everyone!

The past couple of weeks I have been working with public health as well as the outpatient department which include general doctor consultations.

Public Health

Public health in Belize is in charge of outreach and health safety, while interning with them they informed me of the “New World screwworm” which has been affecting not only Belizean pets, but also citizens. We have already had two hospitalizations at our very own hospital. In efforts to reduce cases and keep contamination isolated I participated in a campaign with public health officers in our district. We walked door to door informing citizens about how the New World screwworm lays eggs in open wounds of pets like dogs and cat but can also do the same with humans. The fly looks like a normal house fly here in Belize, but the eggs it lays in wounds can be fatal and deadly as they become worms and spread.

During the campaign I was able to meet many locals and even met a family who has lived in the USA for over 40 years. Another issue public health explained to me was the ongoing sewage and plumbing problem. Due to Cayo district not having an underground sewage system, sewage passes by the sidewalks and often backs up at homes due to the lack of licensed laborers. One of the major issues is that the sewage falls into one of the major rivers in this district which contaminates the water people use to bathe in, do laundry, and swim. Mrs. Armstrong recently was appointed to work in Cayo district and is currently working on a proposal to create an underground sewage system that will eliminate contamination, smell, and increase efficiency. We mostly did inspections and gave out educational materials in Benque which is a town in Belize with a dominant Hispanic population.

OPD

In the outpatient department we are starting to see dengue cases spike. Dengue is a viral infection spread through the bite of the  Aedes aegypti mosquito. Although this virus is not spread person to person, an infected person being in the same household can lead to a mosquito becoming infected and spreading the virus to the rest of their family. The public health department provides mosquito nets to reduce the risk of infection. Ironically, I often get asked if dengue is prevalent in the USA as it is here. However, I believe the few cases we have a year are usually due to people who travel abroad and bring the virus over from the tropics.

Additionally we have also been seeing a surge of salmonella in our district. Many cases of nausea and diarrhea have led to positive salmonella tests. This has made me question whether there is food contamination or if it is due to undercooked meats.

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Horseback Riding 

Apart from my internship I also went horse back riding for the first time this month. I was able to ride my horse alongside the Macal River and enjoy the peacefulness of nature. I even saw monkeys and toucans while I was riding!

I’m just a few days away from my one-month mark here, and life is moving fast. There’s so much gratitude in that—because each day brings me closer to reuniting with my loved ones—but it’s also bittersweet knowing that one day this experience will only be a cherished memory. Living in the DR has been teaching me lessons I didn’t anticipate. Working with a faith-based organization has opened my eyes to the realities of missionary life and what it looks like to intertwine faith with humanitarian work. As someone who stands firm in my faith, I know that everything I have comes from God alone. With hopes of one day becoming a diplomat, it excites me to see that my faith could also carry into that future—maybe even through missionary work.

During week 3, I attended an anti-trafficking presentation led by the Ministry of Women and the Ministry of Public Health here in San Pedro. Even though I could not understand every word in Spanish, I walked away with a deeper knowledge of the realities of trafficking. Many people think it only happens when someone is taken across borders, but it can also happen within your own country. Sometimes, tragically, it’s a family member, a husband, or someone close who sells you or forces you into the streets.

For some of the women in the room, the presentation was overwhelming, but it was so necessary. Conversations like these are the first step toward prevention, healing, and empowerment. I believe wholeheartedly that our work is not only about nurturing women back to “health” through a recovery program but also equipping them to stand strong and advocate for others who may one day be in their position. Process is never easy, but it’s incredible to see how God uses seasons of breaking and rebuilding to prepare us for something greater than we can imagine.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been conducting interviews—listening not just to survivors, but to mothers, wives, and daughters. What may have been moments of brokenness in their past have now become testimonies of resilience and strength. It’s an honor to sit in their presence. I’ll be honest—I struggled in the beginning to build connections with them, for many reasons. Even with the language barrier (and the Dominican twist on Spanish that I’m still getting used to), I’ve been learning that community is built as much on action as it is on words. So, I greet them with a smile, eat lunch with them, laugh when they laugh, hug them when needed—and in those simple things, I’ve learned that kindness never goes unnoticed.

This past weekend has been full of fun activities. Allison (my boss) and I spent a day in Santo Domingo(the capital) exploring the Colonial Zone —it was BEAUTIFUL. The Spanish influence in the buildings and environment gave me a familiar feeling of being back in Spain. We ate good food, I enjoyed a raspberry and vanilla paleta (popsicle), and we visited two different coffee shops because, well, my boss has an addiction. Haha. It’s moments like these that remind me that while parts of the DR reflect hardship, there’s richness, culture, and beauty waiting to be discovered, and it was refreshing to take it all in.

Moreover, I’ve had the opportunity not just to pour into others but to be poured into by the community here. The missionary circle has embraced me and created space for both my new experience and my heart. We had a super fun sip-and-paint night where we painted pumpkins (I like to think mine was the best one), laughed, shared stories, and ended the evening in worship. I sat there in awe of how quickly the Lord shows up when hearts are willing to invite Him in. These simple, joy-filled moments have reminded me that God is present in both the big lessons and the small gatherings. My heart is full, and I can feel that He’s only just getting started.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

I

This week I celebrated one month of living here in Mendoza! 

As I was preparing to move, the most common question I would be asked is “What are most nervous for?” and, not really knowing how to answer that question without either lying or revealing deep-rooted fears, I resorted to always answering by saying “I’m most nervous for the things I don’t know yet.” Simple. I was scared of the unknowns. Big and little. And it wasn’t until I moved that I realized the truth in this answer.    

These past few weeks have been full of reminders that my life here is a new normal – not just a quick break from my life at home. It has reminded me of all of the things I took for granted until I didn’t have them anymore. The small comforts of home, as silly as they may seem. Something as simple as coming home after church on a Sunday to watch football games with my family, or the tradition of weekly Tuesday night Dancing with the Stars viewing parties are things I no longer have access to. It’s the things that I didn’t know were going to change until I moved that make me miss home the most. 

But, on the contrary, the things that make me most excited to be here are the things I didn’t know until I got here. Things like Sunday asados with the family of my friends, or the tradition of getting coffee and pastries with my coworkers every morning before work starts, those are the things that make living here feel like a new home, another place where I can belong too.  

Here’s a photo dump of some fun moments these past 2 weeks (and yes, I do need to get better at documenting my time here with pictures!):

Mood Primavera

One of the highlights of this past week was going to “Mood Primavera”, a music festival celebrating the beginning of spring here! It honestly felt like I was back in Nashville, and was a fun tribute to my college-life and my time at Belmont. It was really cool to experience such a familiar event in a new cultural context. The energy here is definitely incomparable, and this was such a clear example of that. Even though I didn’t know any of the bands, or any of the songs, it was such an exciting thing to experience this with new friends – so much fun! I’m so thankful for nights like this where I know I am creating memories that I will remember (and talk about) forever!

Secretaria de Gobierno 

My work week was spent with a completely new area of the city this week, and I had the opportunity to go into under-resourced neighborhoods in Mendoza and learn about the hands-on work that the government is doing to bring support and resources to communities in need. I got to spend time with kids, families, and elderly communities to learn about their biggest needs and the work that is being done to help meet them. This community work is very familiar to me, and something I am so passionate about, so it was really refreshing for me to be back in that work, and see it from a new perspective in a new country! It was such a great reminder of the purpose of my year here and I can’t wait to continue to learn more about the community here and grow with it!

Hasta la próxima!

With love, Sarah

Since I last updated, I have had another wonderful week in Nairobi and have traveled to Mombasa!

I spent the majority of the past week working in the medical clinic. I am settling in well in the clinic and feel like I have a good grasp on the workflow, the scope of practice, and the ways in which I am most helpful day-to-day. I am genuinely enjoying observing and having a role in patient care and have learned so much from the providers already. One patient in particular has stuck with me from this week. On Monday, a man in his late twenties cam in complaining of chest pain without difficulty breathing, body aches and fever, and a generalized feeling of fatigue. He also had decreased oxygen saturation and elevated blood pressure. After a physical examination, the doctor ordered lab work and an abdominal ultrasound. His labs came back showing that he was positive for streptococcal bacteria and most of his symptoms were likely the result of this systemic infection. This diagnosis was particularly interesting to me because strep infections are fairly common throughout the world; most people, even in the US, have had strep throat at least a few times in their life. This was a prime example of how an infection may be easily diagnosed and treated in areas of high health care access but, the same infection can become systemic and life threatening in healthcare deserts like Kibera. This individual, due to his chest pain and concerning vitals, was already experiencing signs of the bacteria damaging his heart muscle. He was prescribed a combination of antibiotics and reported back to the clinic each day throughout the week to receive his medication through an IV injection. With each passing day that we saw him, it became obvious that the treatment was working to address the infection as his vitals and disposition improved.

Other cases this week included a woman diagnosed with esophageal cancer who had a G-tube and needed it to be secured using a few stitches, many instances of pneumonia and gastrointestinal infections, and a pregnant woman being treated for hormone imbalances. All in all, it was another insightful and educational week in the clinic.

On Friday, we deviated from the usual schedule as UCESCO hosted its annual tree planting day of service. The event took place at a school for children with special needs that is striving to become more self-sufficient and has the goal of providing most of their meals from food grown on the farm on campus. There were over 100 attendees from various non-profit organizations and businesses across Nairobi. Together, we cleaned the campus, prepared the field where the trees will grow, and ended the day by planting over 200 fruit trees. While most of the volunteers were working on planting trees, some UCESCO staff hosted a field day of sorts for the students at the school. I got to learn about many environmental NGOs in the area through talking with the other attendees and learned a lot about the environmental struggles Nairobi is currently facing. While this event was a little bit more physically exhausting than my typical day, it was such a rewarding experience to see so many people come together to support the school, UCESCO, and the broader environment.

Finally, yesterday (Saturday), after a slow, lazy morning of reading, I attended a pop-up market at the Nairobi National Museum. The market had booths from many local artists and craftsmen, some food tables, and a second-hand book shop. After strolling through the market, enjoying a donut, and purchasing a few unique finds, I discovered that there is a sprawling botanical garden on the museum property. When I first attended the museum many weeks ago, we did not take the time to explore all the grounds and completely missed the garden. I had a lovely walk through the trees, taking in all the local flora, before heading back home to prepare for my next adventure.

And that brings me to today! I am writing this from the volunteer house in Mombasa, Kenya’s coastal city. I will be here for the next week volunteering with UCESCO’s programs here and am excited to update you all again soon with everything I get into this week!

UCESCO Annual Tree Planting Event! See me in the far right of the photo putting in the work and repping BU!

Market haul! A handmade mug, a painted card, and a pretty old book.

The museum also has a medicinal herb garden and displays many plants that are used in traditional African culture and healthcare.

Would you believe this photo was taken less than 2 km from the city center?! I’m constantly in awe of how green and lush Nairobi is!

Last Days of Greek Summer

Kalimera friends! Sitting down to write this blog post has been a struggle. Over the past two weeks since my last post I feel as though a lifetime has passed. Life moves so fast yet so slow here. It is hard to summarize everything in 500 words, but I will try my best.

Internship and Volunteering

As the weeks have gone on, it has gotten easier and easier to make friends. The NGO community here is very close knit due to the fact that many of the organizations work together. Additionally, I picked up even more volunteer work outside of my internship teaching swim lessons to refugee women in the evening.  One thing I find so interesting about this experience in Greece is that every single thing I have been interested in or passionate about has somehow come into play. I taught swim lessons for four years in high school and college and loved it, and here I am, doing it again, albeit in a very different context.

Biking to swim lessons after my internship... biking on the hills of Greece is NOT for the weak

At my internship, I’ve been primarily working on social media content and photography for our website as the other aspects of the project I am working on take a little longer. The unfortunate reality of doing a PR campaign is that you spend a lot of time waiting for people to email you back.

Office with a view of the sea... whaaaattt?

Some bags in the shop ready to be sold

Additionally, I’ve started learning the process of sewing the bags and am excited to start working on those those as soon as I am done with updating the website and social media.

Island Life

Outside of my work, I’ve also gotten to go one a couple of fun excursions. This past weekend, me and a group of volunteers went camping at Farra beach, about 45 minutes away from Mytilene. I was tasked with driving the car as the American drivers license is pretty strong internationally (shocking considering how easy our driving test is). That, I was terrified for, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

The camping trip was amazing. I brought my camera and messed around a bit with it. A fun new hobby I’ve been picking up on this trip is photography. At the beach that night a local band played some authentic Greek music which was beautiful. Additionally, I had some of the most incredible swims. The water here is so clear and, even right on the shore, there are hundreds of beautiful fish swimming at your feet. It feels like another world underneath the surface, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

But somehow it gets better. I have some friends who work at an eco-farm about 15 minutes outside of Mytilene and last night they invited me over for a meal full of fresh ingredients. And I do mean fresh, because right before dinner we went out and caught the mussels and sea urchins we ate with our meal. It was truly one of the most incredible meals I’d ever eaten. Mussels sauteed in tomatoes and feta, fresh risotto, and rice stuffed zucchini flowers.

Harsh Realities

However, as incredible as this island and this experience is, it is also very sobering. Meeting the people who came here and learning about their experiences is hard to hear. Suddenly the news headlines aren’t just headlines. Bombings in Yemen, Gaza, and Kuwait, flooding in Pakistan, they are so much more than a death toll. Knowing that people I am friends with have loved ones who could be one of those numbers is hard.

It has also made me realize that I am an incredibly blessed person. Not just blessed to have this experience and be in this beautiful place, but blessed for where I was born. I am blessed to call my family without fear that something has happened to them. I am blessed to swim in this sea and see the beautiful fish and catch mussels and not be scared. I am blessed to have a passport that took me two weeks to get. I am blessed to feel safe here. I am blessed to travel freely.

And of course... here is the playlist

Ladies Room by Olivia Dean (of course... more Olivia Dean)

Ya Habibi by Mohamed Ramadan (this was playing in the car for most of the trip to Farra)

November Air by Zach Bryan