Excuse my extended absence! I can't decide if I have just been lazy or if my recent move home and ensuing job hunt have left me uninspired and story-less.
Lets jump back to August. I never even updated on my wanderings to Greece and Turkey! Though you can't tell from my pictures, I went with my sister. She refused to take any pictures with me and was a bit hostile about having to conduct my individual photo-shoots. I guess she prefers impersonal postcard shots. Anyway, our first destination was Athens where we spent most of our time melting in the brutal sun and visiting the ancient ruins (dating back to the 5th century BC!) the city is known for, such as the Parthenon and the original Olympic stadium. From Athens we took a ferry to Santorini in the Greek Isles. Santorini was absolutely stunning with it's panoramic sea views from atop the caldera and the white houses we have all seen in the pictures. While in Santorini we even got a 'fish-pedi' where a bunch of little fish eat away at your feet. The Kardashians did it when they were in Santorini so we figured it was a must. Next stop Thessaloniki, Greece! We took a bus from Athens to Istanbul and made a short stop in the city of Thessaloniki where we visited the 'White Tower' and old city walls. Finally, Istanbul. It was incredible. I can't say I loved the city in a way that would make me wish to live there, however I thoroughly enjoyed the tourist-musts from the beautifully tiled mosques to the over-stimulating bazaars with their mosaic lanterns, aromatic spices, and locals drinking tiny teas. Aside from Malawi, Istanbul was the most 'different' place I have visited because of its strong Middle Eastern influences. Because of this it was mildly intimidating but stimulating and alluring at the same time. Someday I hope to return because two days was by no means enough time to thoroughly explore the city.
Athens, Greece.
Santorini, Greek Isles.
Thessaloniki, Greece.
Istanbul, Turkey.
Fast forward to more recent days. Since my trip to Greece and Turkey, and my subsequent move back to St. Louis from Edinburgh, I have devoted my days to job applications, cover letters, resumes, and the daydreaming that comes with applying for your dream positions. As of a week ago I officially graduated with my MSc in Africa and International Development from The University of Edinburgh. I was bummed that I could not be there and that I missed out on that experience that I worked so hard for but I was happy to be home for Thanksgiving after missing it the last few years.
To the good news! I got a job as an administrative assistant at the International Institute of St. Louis. This will be a great opportunity for me to get my foot in the door with a non-profit. The Institute works with refugees and immigrants from around the world, of which St. Louis has a large population. They provide a range of services from English language classes and help obtaining employment, to organizing the 'adopt a family' at Christmas time and the Festival of Nations over the summer. I will be working with three program managers, helping with fundraising, volunteers, and marketing.
