II

Love, what a long way, to arrive at a kiss,
what loneliness-in-motion, toward your company!
Rolling with the rain we follow the tracks alone.
In Taltal there is neither daybreak nor spring.

But you and I, love, we are together
from our clothes down to our roots:
together in the autumn, in water, in hips, until
we can be alone together - only you, only me.

To think of the effort, that the current carried
so many stones, the delta of Boroa water;
to think that you and I, divided by trains and nations,

we had only to love one another:
with all the confusions, the men and the women,
the earth that makes carnations rise, and makes them bloom!

~Pablo Neruda

My Little Corner of the World

The view as seen from my kitchen-- out past the living room.  That's the Atlantic Ocean, and on the left is the new stadium that was built for the World Cup.

I have landed in southernmost Africa-- Cape Town, South Africa!  I feel as if I am in colonial times-- how romantic it is to picture explorers sailing around the Cape of Good Hope!  It is extraordinarily beautiful here, with vistas to rival the prettiest places I've seen.  I haven't even ventured far from my apartment here in Greenpoint, but I am already convinced that this place lives up to all descriptions of being a veritable Garden of Eden.  I can't wait to see more!

This is Table Mountain which on a clear day looks flat on top.  They call the cloud cover the tablecloth, and it is beautiful to behold as the clouds seemingly roll and drip over edge of the mountain.

But, oh, my poor neglected blog!  It seems that every time I get on a roll, something comes along to thwart my blogging.  It has happened no less than twice that my hard drive has failed (first in Miami in January of last year, and again in Istanbul in June).  Both times I was left without contact with the outside world, and as fate would have it, those were precisely the moments would it would have been nice to be in contact with friends and family.

My computer has NOT been afflicted in such a way this time, however, this "colonial" town seems to be lacking in that which most modern cities possess: internet!  To be sure, it is available, but not in my apartment, and I must trek daily to the internet cafe to get my news.  I am thankful that I do have that option, but it does mean that blogging (and especially posting pictures) is much more difficult.

My bed!  That's the day I moved in, so it's a bit cluttered-- but those who know me know that it often looks like that!  I share the room with one other girl.

My life here seems to move at a different pace.  Also in keeping with my colonial theme, I arise with the dawn, and sleep with the setting sun.  The reason for this night owl to adopt such a pattern is that the area I live in is decidedly unsafe.  Even in broad daylight, I feel "sharks" circling, looking for prey (yesterday as my roommate and I waited on the corner for our driver to pick us up, one man walked around us no less than ten times.  He would cross the street, then turn and walk back towards us, circle, and repeat), and as the late afternoon sun begins to dip below the horizon, I know it is time that I head home.  I have a self-imposed curfew of about 7pm, and from that time on, my roommates and I stay in until the next morning.

The view from my balcony.

Confined to an apartment without internet isn't all bad (or least, that's what I keep telling myself!)  I've started a plan to read the Bible through in one year, and the free time allows me to stay up on my reading.  My roommates and I watch a movie every night, and then we head to bed around 10:00pm.  I'm also determined to use my time to read more books, and to write letters to friends, which is something I enjoy doing.

I am quickly learning that Cape Town is a small town.  I've been here for less than a week, and already have "bumped" into five or six people that I know from before.

And, although I am a bit nervous to carry my laptop around (my roommate, Eleni, was mugged last week for her cell phone), I will endeavor to take it to the cafe once a week so that I can post pictures to my blog and keep you updated.

XOXO,

Goodbye Dubai

It was exactly three months ago yesterday that I walked bleary-eyed off the plane into muggy Dubai.  I was met at the airport by a driver sent by my agency, and dropped off, rather unceremoniously, at the apartment that I was to call home.  I was exhausted after an all-night flight from Berlin (via Cairo), but as the sun was rising, I could not resist taking a few pictures of the view from my balcony.  This is what welcomed me to Dubai:

The Burj Dubai

Tonight, in a very fitting way, I've bid adieu to that grand building which has been my constant companion these many months.  My fellowship group from church relocated to my apartment for the evening, and these people who I have considered my family for the past three months joined me to watch the inauguration of what will now be known to the world as the Burj Khalifa.  We watched men parachute over the tower, jets of water spray into the air, laser lights, and most fantastically, fireworks that sprang from the tower itself.  It was a fitting tribute!

The Burj Khalifa

I have to say this has been a wonderful three months.  God has placed amazing friends in my life, and I have simply been showered with love since the moment I arrived.  I've loved every minute and will always treasure the time I spent here.

Tanya bought me a giant chocolate cookie.  So sweet!

You'll always be in my heart, Dubai!

XOXO,

Remembering 2009 (Part 2)

CONTINUED FROM PART 1...

AUG 1 ISTANBUL, TURKEY  I turn 30.  Meanwhile, my twin sis turned 30 in Delaware.  I spent the day shooting a catalogue, and had a beer later with my roommate.  The following day, the agency took us girls to the pool for a party.

AUG 5-6 EPHESUS/SELCUK, TURKEY  I decided to go by myself to Ephesus, on a sort of pilgrimage.  I walked in the footsteps of Saint Paul, visited the church of Saint John the beloved, and saw the remaining column of what was once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (the Temple of Artemis).

AUG 9 NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK  Back in the states for a short bit...

SEPT 12 BERLIN, GERMANY

SEPT 13 WEERT, THE NETHERLANDS

SEPT 15 DORNBIRN, AUSTRIA

SEPT 16 VIENNA, AUSTRIA

SEPT 17 PARDUBICE, CZECH REPUBLIC

SEPT 18 BAYREUTH, GERMANY

SEPT 19 LEIPZIG, GERMANY  The above dates were passed with 23 smelly guys on a double-decker bus.  AND it was AWESOME!  I signed on as merchandise girl for my brother's band as they toured Europe with four other death metal bands.  I loved every minute of it!

SEPT 20-OCT 2 BERLIN, GERMANY  The end of September found me landing again on Matt and Corrie's couch (just like I began the year).  They moved out of their Brooklyn apartment in August, and moved to Berlin to work at a church there.  They're the coolest people ever, and I was fortunate to be able to squeeze out a visit.  I also FINALLY got to see my pastor friend, Christian's church that he planted four? years ago.

OCT 3-JAN 5 DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES  I came to Dubai to model.  I wasn't sure what I would find here, and did not bother letting any of my old friends know that I was coming.  The Lord blessed me greatly in this city: He provided for me, and gave me great friends and a loving church.  As it comes time to leave, I feel like I'm leaving my heart in Dubai.

 

NOV 26 DUBAI, ARAB EMIRATES  Thanksgiving Day!  I was adopted my Mack and Leeann Stiles, two wonderful people from my church.  It was a day full of Americans, and I felt absolutely loved.  Later that night I went to a Thanksreceiving Party at Kristen and Nigel's place.  What a wonderful day!

DEC 25 DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES  Christmas Day!  I passed Christmas Eve at the Stiles' house.  Christmas Day I volunteered in the morning at the coffee shop at church, and went to a service.  Afterwards, Kristen, Philip, David, Keren (Panama!!), Michelle, and I went over to Kho's house where we help prepared a feast.  People started arriving at 4pm and I had a perfect Christmas with my new UAE family.

DEC 31 DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES  New Year's Eve!  And now we've come full circle... spending it in the company of my church friends at Tanya and Orlando's house.

I pray you all have a blessed and happy 2010 and that you shall know the truth, and that the truth will set you free.

XOXO,