Firecrackers are not allowed in Auroville. They are not environmentally friendly. They leave a lot of litter in the streets and sewers. The noise pollution scares away wildlife. The poor air quality peaks during Diwali weekend in every city in…
It is surreal to be traveling again. As I write, I’m sitting in the JFK airport with a more than 8-hour layover before my flight to Tel Aviv. Yep, I’m going back!! After more than seven weeks of wires, doctor’s…
Monday marked one month. A month of being home, feeling surrounded by people who know me best while, somehow, feeling so out of place. Feeling conflicted when I see the prices on things I used to have no problem buying. Feeling…
Tomorrow is the day! My wires come off at 9:30 AM and I’ll be able to open my mouth for the first time in four weeks. I probably won’t be able to open more than a few centimeters at first,…
Indians laugh when I tell them about our green, fenced-in pastures particularly sectioned out for our american cows. It is no joke: there are so many cows roaming the local streets and highways in India. My new favorite scent is…
Exactly a week from today, the wires come off, and I will finally be able to open my mouth! Soft foods are in my future! I cannot wait to be able to touch my tongue again. I’ll still have rubber bands…
Due to wifi issues, I’m a few days late. This is my first post, written three days ago on my layover in Mumbai. Enjoy! After many delays and cancelations, people and consulates, approval letters and stamps, 24 hours of travel…
I haven’t written in two weeks. This is only because every time I thought about writing this post, I imagined myself sobbing while typing. Two weeks ago, I broke my jaw in Bethlehem. Now, I’m back in Nashville with my…
This past Monday, I started my “Spoken Arabic for Foreigners” class at Bethlehem University. I go to class Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 5:00 to 6:30. It’s right after work and the university is even on my route home. The class…
Before coming down to Honduras, I heard over and over again how noble, how selfless, how kind my heart was to sacrifice my summer and energy to come down here and serve. It really built me up, like in the…