Woa. Finally back in the States. Very strange to be back-- feels almost like the past month never happened, either that or it is so totally out of time that I'm not sure how to place it in my mind. I was awarded the grant February 7th, planned for it all last winter and spring, adapted the trip details last second and then it's over. Just like that. Very odd.
After sitting in the Beirut airport for four hours, an eight-hour flight to London, spending the night in Heathrow and a seven-hour flight to DC, I finally made it to the promised land of Dulles airport. My lovely father graciously parked my car nearby (and replaced the cracked windshield that had been gradually been creeping along the entirely of my view over the course of three years-- hey, I've always admitted being cheap!), I grabbed a cab, picked up the adored Fit, and commenced my eight-hour drive to Spartanburg, South Carolina for my cousin Wyatt's wedding. Made it just in time for the rehearsal dinner that night and the ceremony the next morning.
Now it's up and down the east coast, visiting friends and family, checking up on my new tenants (groaning as I realize the roof is going to need to be replaced very very soon and having to hire a plumber for my sink, dishwasher and bathtub who struggle to fight the downhill slow of the city's sewer system), collecting my belongings sprinkled throughout several states and then back up to start my
last year of school. Can that be right?!
I thought I'd do a wrap-up for the trip, but I'm really not sure how to do it (strange I know-- I'm normally spewing horribly tangental thoughts that completely lack any sort of cohesiveness). However, I am finding it hard to deconstruct and mentally organize my month of travel.
The first two weeks were obviously full of fabulous food, delightful debauchery and a general lack of academic research. My frustration and generally apathetic view towards Yale in the past year pretty much yielded a guilt-free use of the first two weeks as nothing less than a vacation. The last two weeks, however, completely fulfilled my hopes of Middle Eastern exploration. I feel that I collected what I needed to pursue this area of study and, though I still regret the missed opportunity of visiting Egypt, Syria or even Israel, I am certain that this trip has opened up new doors for me to pursue this type of study and has thoroughly whetted my appetite for returning to watch what happens during the next few transitional years.
Yale does not have a thesis, however they do have the option for an independent study. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a proposal to obtain a coveted spot and continue to study how this reconstruction is actually taking place, including current events, current political turmoil and the personal opinions of local inhabitants. I have to put together a show at the end of the year, documenting my trip and displaying any conclusions or "lessons learned" on a series of boards hanging on the main floor of the architectural building. A question and answer session with the Dean (good lord, who knows how
that is going to go...) is open to the general student body during a wine and cheese reception. Definitely not a big deal so the compilation of this research is pretty much up to me. Guess I'll do it during all my free time this upcoming school year. Ha.
I wanted to thank my mom who gave up her priceless and fleeting Bethany time and summer in general to come to my rescue in a time of rapid change and uncertainty. The trip would have not been nearly as fun without someone to enjoy endless vino and hedonistic meals. Plus, who would have caused us to get lost on moped adventures or be a witness to countless travel debacles that people at home would not believe had I experienced them alone? (However, we were in the Lebanese newspaper while we were there. Names, quotes and all! I guess that's something...) I definitely would not have come home with as many travel trinkets, which I would have surely inevitably regretted.
This blog has pushed my comfort with social media and my fear of "governmental tracking" (Facebook is the devil) without a question, but I am glad that I kept it (though once I got home I definitely dropped the ball on keeping it updated!). It is a different type of journalling than I am used to, but I think it is a worthwhile thing to have. It will unquestionably help my ever-diminshing memory once I start forgetting what happened and the chronology of events! This silly thing has gotten over 2,200 views (though I am certain that most of them are repeat offenders!) in over six countries, which has completely blown my mind. I am touched that there was so much interest in my travels and appreciate all the emails received during the trip. Thanks for the support! (Sorry for the cheesiness...)
Alright, off to the next adventure: studio. And, oh, what an adventure it will be! Now all that is left is to try to figure out how the
heck to take this thing down so that no one at my snobby school will ever find it!
Thanks again,
the war-torn wanderer.
