Travel feeds my sense of adventure, but also reminds me how great it is to be home with family and friends. These past few weeks I walked down ancient cobblestone roads in Pompeii, watched the sun set over the Atlantic by Lisbon, reunited with my college friends, saw most of my extended family, and lazed at home. I had a crazy three weeks of traveling in which I visited six cities—Rome, Lisbon, Boston, Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Tel Aviv-- and took six flights. I cannot believe that I managed to fit everything that I wanted to do—see people, relax, and explore new sights—in that short amount of time. I am incredibly grateful for the experiences, the cheap airfares, and everyone who went out of their way to see me. I am also grateful that my travel went smoothly; thankfully, I did not encounter pick pocketing, cancelled flights, or the flu.
Now that I am back in Tel Aviv, and soon will start my second semester at the Arava Institute, all of my visits seem surreal, like a dream. Though in retrospect, this is exactly how Israel felt to me while I was away on break. I take comfort that my favorite Mexican restaurant in Atlanta is still there, fried chicken tacos still exist, and winter happens in places outside of Israel. I am not present, but I have the privilege of always going back.
I also take comfort in the warmth and openness of people abroad. For the first time, I traveled on my own for a week in Rome and Lisbon. It was often stressful to navigate the two cities on my own, though I really enjoyed the itinerary that I solely chose. In my week, I met with an Arava alum whom I had never met before and did some sightseeing with other young people at the hostels where I was staying. I do not have to be alone even when I travel by myself.
Here are a few pictures that highlight my travels over the last few weeks:
Pompeii
The Colosseum
Lisbon
Sintra, Portugal-- Grottoes and castles
Here I am reuniting with Priscilla, a traveling guinea pig in a duck suit that I share with my friends, in Waltham MA. (I was also reuniting with my college friends)
