One Week.

It’s October 7th. October?!? No, really. I remember it being New Years’ Eve as though it was just yesterday – sitting in Zaid’s living room with a pesky stomach bug that I was aching to fight so that I could celebrate the occasion. This year has proven to go by the FASTEST for me! Perhaps much of that has to do with how exciting the year has been... I rung it in with my brother, sister in law, niece and nephew in California; I finally saw Mumford & Sons live – in a mosh pit – at an incredible music festival; I managed to swing a Vegas trip with some of my closest girlfriends; I graduated from university; I lived in Quebec to improve my French; I visited with family in both Toronto and Germany; our family welcomed my second niece to the world; and finally, I did the overzealous idealist fourteen year-old-me proud when I made plans to move to Rwanda. I leave in a week! It’s crazy.

I’ve been having a nice time as of late. I came to stay with my grandparents again a week ago and that means being in downtown! I love the city here. Last weekend was a lot of fun. I spent all of Thursday walking around the quaint streets where my favourite shops are all lined up. On Friday my great aunt took my grandma and I out for Italian food, and I spent that night at a jazz show with my lovely cousin Ziba. The following night I went out with a group of my cousins and we danced until the wee hours of the morning at a new club called Noho – it was so much fun! 

View of the lake near my Grandparents' home.

Noho with the girls!

My mom arrived in Hamburg two days ago and it’s been such a treat to spend time with her! I’m really close with my parents and can’t really say that I’ve ever made a habit of neglecting to spend time with them; but there’s just something different about the conversations one has and emotions one feels knowing time with a loved one is limited to a few days. Needless to say, it’s been lovely and busy! We have plenty of birthday parties, family gatherings and last minute errands to run before I leave. One such errand was getting some of my vaccinations, including yellow fever and meningococcal – not fun. For fellow travellers: please avoid ever having vaccinations done in Germany, you'll pay an arm and a leg! That aside, I’ve just been really content and feel so grateful for this valuable time with my family. They definitely won’t make it easy for me to leave!

Exploring Hamburg.

What's meant to be, will be.

Guten tag! I’m at my grandparents' house at the moment... sitting in their living room in my PJ’s, writing and relaxing. Mami Jan is next to me, watching BBC documentaries in Persian. It’s been a chill couple of weeks since my return from Berlin. I was pretty stressed out before leaving for my four day trip. I had spent about two weeks gawking at my computer screen, frantically researching my options of what to do next – blow thousands of dollars to backpack through parts of Europe, travel to Thailand or Spain to partake in a TESOL program, or wait it out for an internship. The truth is, I was spending too many hours in front of my laptop, pondering. So about two days before my trip to Berlin, I told myself that I would take a a break from my researching and worrying and would focus on enjoying myself for a full week. Low and behold, upon returning from Berlin I saw an email in my ‘Junk’ folder from a woman named Anna who was requesting an interview with me for an internship. I replied immediately and had a Skype interview scheduled two days later. I heard back from her a handful of days later and learnt that I was being offered the position of a Project Support Intern with an NGO called Radio La Benevolencija. I booked my flight the following day and am thrilled to say that I will be flying out to Kigali on October 15th! I’m really excited about this opportunity. I hope to receive the hands on experience that university failed to provide, whilst contributing to an organization that is making a positive impact in a country that has undergone tremendous hardship. This is what I’ve been hoping for and I’m so grateful that the countless staring contests with my laptop paid off! 

In other news, my beautiful niece Sofia Milan Ebrahimi was born 3 days ago, weighing 7 lbs 8 oz. I am so happy for Zaid, Linda and the kids and I can’t wait to meet her! On October 5th my mum will be joining me in Hamburg, which I’m really looking forward to. It’s been about three months since I last saw her, and I know we’re both happy about having some time together before I leave for Rwanda. I’m happy to know that I have the rest of my time here – roughly one month – to be completely present and stressless. I’m going to continue to enjoy what Hamburg has to offer, and though I wish I could join Iwona and Kasia on their travels through Europe, I just can’t risk being left broke in Africa. So, I’m trying to be financially responsible and make the most of the cards I’ve been dealt! Luckily, this is made easy due to the fact that I have such an amazing family here and spending time with them is so much fun! Since Berlin, I've already attended a baby shower, a birthday celebration, toured Hamburg's new 'Hafen City,' checked out the local circus, gone for great runs with my uncle through neighbourhood park trails, and more! These are happy times :)

One of many beautiful gardens on my running trail.

Hafen City

Carl Busch Circus

Berlin!

It’s a late Tuesday afternoon and I’m waiting on my bus to start its engine and take me back to Hamburg. I spent the last four days in Berlin! It was a nice trip, though it flew by really fast. I stayed with Greg and he was a great host – I had my own pullout couch to sleep on and everything – he really made me feel at home. (If you’re reading this, thanks again Greg, you’re a great friend!)

I left for Berlin early Saturday morning and arrived at the bus terminal at 2 pm, where Greg was waiting to greet me. From there, we went straight to his house so I could drop off my things. Before we parted ways, Greg gave me some tips on how to figure out Berlin's (super complicated) transit system. I hopped on the u-bahn and headed for the station near Iwona and Kasia’s hostel. I ended up waiting for them outside of a shopping centre because I couldn’t figure out the directions to their hostel. So while sitting around waiting to be found, from behind me I heard a familiar voice say, “are you lost young lady?” Haha, it was SO great to see one of my best friends after so long – in a foreign city nonetheless! The three of us ended up having a lovely day together, as we explored the city and had dinner at a delicious Thai restaurant. From there, we headed back to the girls’ hostel to get ready for a night out. Greg joined us for the night and the four of us checked out a couple of cool places, including a beach-themed rooftop bar, where people were sitting around and listening to live music. We then went to what Greg described as a “club,” but what was really a bar in a basement. The girls and I were keen on experiencing the livelier scene which Berlin is so famous for, so we convinced Greg to take us to Berghain – a club that I’d read about in nearly every “must see” list on Berlin. Greg tried to deter us from going, but finally gave in, which we all very much regretted later. This is because after lining up for about two hours in the freezing cold and watching about 50% of the people in the long line get turned away, we too were turned away by the doorman at Berghain. SO, of all the times I’ve ever been out I’ve never experienced anything remotely close to this – not to say I’m some spoiled, bouncer-schmoozing, expectant girl. But come on, to be turned away in a foreign city? We were all shocked, and Greg was just left shaking his head. So, why were we left to such unfortunate circumstances, do you ask (and why did my poor friend Greg try to convince us not to go to this ridiculous club)? Because (after doing some research I learnt that) Berghain is one of the most exclusive clubs in the world, specifically because of its social engineering. They award entry to people based on who has already gone inside so that you never get too many tourists, or too many straight people, or too many white people, or too many women, or too many coloured people, or too many men, or too many... you get the idea. I learnt that this specific system of selecting who can and cannot be given entry into Berghain is ultimately what makes it “special,” as it ensures an eclectic mix of people are present inside the club at all times. I also learnt that some people (specifically electronic music lovers) make trips to Berlin specifically to attempt (up to several times on any given weekend) to be awarded entry into Berghain. This is made possible for these poor souls because Berghain is open continuously for about 4 days in a row every week – God only knows how that’s possible, and one is left questioning what the hell is going on inside. After that failed adventure we were all exhausted, cold and ready for bed!

Gendarmenmarkt

My second day was spent with just the girls at what was hands down the coolest flea market I’d ever been to. It was massive and sported lots of funky vendors, goods and fashion. The market was nestled alongside a park that was packed with people who were lounging and picnicking on grass fields. There were several live musical acts stationed throughout the park, including a giant communal karaoke event. It was so much fun! From there, the girls and I parted ways, as they were due to take a train to Paris that evening. I spent the second half of my day adventuring on my own. I saw remains of the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Tiergarten Park, and the Holocaust Memorial. I then walked to Potsdamer Platz, where an Italian Cultural Festival was taking place. It was small, so I checked it out fairly quickly before heading back to Greg’s for some much needed rest. 

The following day was spent with Greg, who did a great job of showing me a local experience of Berlin. We started our day at “Dali Berlin,” an exhibition that I had anticipated seeing since I’d arrived in the city. Salvador Dali’s work is incredible, and to have seen some pieces in the flesh was a real treat. From there, we headed out to a funky, multicultural neighbourhood where we ate delicious Lebanese food at a little place Greg frequents. The shops and cafés in this neighbourhood were great, and when it began raining we had the perfect excuse to check a couple out. Once the rain subsided we saw a handful of other places – including Mauer Garten; the East Berlin Wall Gallery, a beautiful old church that’s been taken over by squatters and artists in protest of the city’s previous attempts at destroying it (where we got to see a small art exhibition); YAAM, a cool reggae beach club that sits along a river where you can find everything from rickety beach chairs to ganja-selling Africans; and finally a view of East Berlin, where we also saw a piece by Banksy (or so the rumors go) sitting proudly against a brick wall. 

Today was my last one in Berlin, and I wanted an early start. After getting up, saying goodbye to Greg before he left for work, and having a quick breakfast, I set off for the famous Pergamon Museum. The museum is located at Museum Island, the name given to the space where several great museums sit alongside each other amidst manicured gardens. Immediately upon walking into Pergamon, I understood the reason behind museum's notoriety, as I was welcomed by the great Zeus Altar from 160 BC. It was so majestic and took my breath away. From thereon out, each subsequent room contained artwork, artefacts and remains from classical antiquity, ancient Islamic empires and the Ancient Near East. It was a great way to spend a few hours. After a quick lunch at Alexander Platz, I headed back to Greg’s to get my things and took a train back to the central bus station, which is where I am now. Overall, it was a solid trip! 

If you’re into the aesthetics of a city, then Berlin may not be for you – it’s a city which is playing catch up over the reality that not too long ago two completely different sociocultural worlds were fused into one. There’s construction happening everywhere, it’s not all that clean, it’s a little unorganized. But, Berlin has a TON to offer pretty much anyone interested in anything – you will find an array of cultures, excellent food, art, music, a night life tailored to all sorts of people. It’s a sprawling city and maneuvering around it can be complicated at times with the impressively complicated transit system, but thankfully you can ask pretty much anyone for help and every sign is translated in English as well. In short, I loved it. It was a great place to spend a few days and I definitely could have spent a few more!

From Canada to Germany

Last I wrote, I had two weeks to go in the Explore program... It is now over 5 weeks later and I am writing from my Uncle's living room in Hamburg. Suffice it to say, this post will be a long one!

My last few weeks in Quebec were spent exploring Trois Rivieres and returning to Montreal two more times. After my weekend of relaxation, it was back to the books! It was in that week that I finally began to develop a sense of understanding about when to use which tense when speaking in French. The damned language is beautiful, but ever so complicated! It was also in that week that I experienced my favourite night in TR. On the Friday night before we were due to leave for Montreal for the weekend, a few friends and I decided we'd go and explore the town a bit. After long days at school, and with the campus being a long walking distance from town, we were beginning to feel a little cooped up. Luckily for us, we discovered that there was live street music on the main street in town that night! There was a jazz band with an older female singer whose sound was soulful; another band composed of young kids who'd made their own instruments from planks of wood and recyclable products – they were my favourite, because the lead singer was singing Amy Winehouse and Adele songs like they were written just for her; and the final act we saw was referred to by locals as "Bob Marley," who did a fair job at living up to the name. Alongside walking through the town, taking photos, watching the sunset and jamming to great music, we stumbled across a biker named Mathew. He was bicycling across Canada (began in Victoria, and was due to finish in Halifax) and ended up being a really nice person to chat with. We all enjoyed his company and it reminded me of the random meetings I'd have with fellow travellers while in Fiji... the conversations that ensue through such encounters are always the best. After the music ended and we bid Mathew farewell, our little group headed over to our favourite pub in town – Embuscade – which sports an outdoor fire pit and hip hop/old school jams! It was a really fun night and a great way to kick off our weekend, the rest of which was spent travelling to Montreal as a group. I managed to do more touristy things while out there with the university, including a trip to the Montreal Biodome, which albeit being a lackluster version of Vancouver's Aquarium, was still a good amount of fun. My favourite part was when I legit spent five full minutes watching penguins chat flamboyantly (well, it looked like they were chatting to me). That night was spent hanging out at our hostel and dancing at a few places in town. I can't say that we necessarily experienced the best night life that Montreal is so famous for because we didn't plan well enough, but it was still a solid weekend! That brings me to my final 5 days in Trois Rivieres, which were spent wrapping up classes and celebrating! My professor gave us a heartfelt goodbye, which consisted of showing us the videos that he had taken of each of us introducing ourselves in French on the very first day of class. It was hilarious to see how terrible we were, and exciting to realize how far we'd come in just five short weeks of French immersion. Alongside our final karaoke night, ladies' night, class, tutorial and cafeteria meal, we all attended a makeshift "graduation" ceremony, which was a fun way to bring the program to an end. Of course our last night was spent at Embuscade, which ended up being the perfect place to celebrate our newfound friendships and bring an end to what was a really fun experience!

The environmentally-friendly, super talented band.

My favourite building in Trois Rivieres.

Montreal.

The penguins at Biodome.

Night out in Montreal.

UQTR.

The girls from our class with our Prof.

The end of the program meant that I was finally able to visit with Laily, Mehdi and Sonia again! The three of them showed me a really great time and I am so blessed to have such wonderful cousins. We had a great week of catching up and exploring Montreal further. One day that really stood out for me was my Sunday in Montreal, where us girls went up to Mount Royal to see the sights and spent some time jamming with the tam tam players. Each Sunday of summer, a group of people gathers at the bottom of Mount Royal, where they dance and play the tams. It was basically a big hippie fest, and I loved every minute of it! During this time, I also had the opportunity to visit with some of my dad's extended family who live in the Montreal area. All in all it was a great week, and a lovely way to end my month and a half in Quebec.

The Tams at Mount Royal.

<3

From there, Laily and I caught a bus to Toronto, where I spent 5 days visiting with my Grandma, aunts, uncles and cousins. It was so lovely seeing everyone after three years, and I got to celebrate Eid with family members for the first time since I was a kid! We spent Eid at Toronto's India Bazaar, which was packed with Pakistani people who were fully dressed for the festivities. We ate dinner at Lahore Tikka House, which I highly recommend to anyone headed to Toronto who likes authentic Indian food. Another one of my days was spent with my eldest aunt, uncle and cousins at Niagara Falls, a place that I always love going to and where I have a lot of childhood memories. The Toronto trip was short but sweet, as I was reminded again of how lovely my family there is!

India Bazaar.

Niagara Falls.

CN Tower.

This brings us to Germany, where I am happily staying for now. I flew here via Finnair, a cheap airline that allowed me to avoid breaking the bank. With that said, the plane had old-school shared televisions and terrible food, lol. On the bright side, I slept for most of the 8 hour flight and was happy to wake up in Germany! Within minutes of my arrival at my Uncle Tamim's home, my grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins flooded through the door! It was a fun evening of eating my Grandma's delicious Afghan food and catching up with relatives. My two weeks here have consisted of celebrating a handful of family members' birthday parties, a day at my favourite amusement park here, daily runs through adorable German neighbourhoods, and lots of quality time with family. I got to see my friend Greg this past weekend, whom I had originally became friends with in Fiji. He's going to be moving to Hamburg in October and was in town to see apartments,  giving us a chance to hang out for the day! Other than that, I am planning a trip to Berlin soon, where one of my best friends from home will be visiting also! From there, Iwona, her sister Kasia and I will be doing some travelling within Europe together, which I am beyond stoked for! I'm currently jumping back and forth between staying with my grandparents, and with my uncle, his wife and kids. Staying at my uncle's house is really fun because my cousins live in homes on either side, so there's never a dull moment! However, it is at my grandparents' apartment where I feel most at home, as I have so many memories there and find it so peaceful. I managed to finish reading "The Book of Negroes" while relaxing with my Grandma at home, and I must mention how incredible that book is. It forced me to view human nature in an entirely different light – a far more dim one – and it broke my heart, but I highly recommend it.

DOM.

This time in Germany is meant to be for me to enjoy, for the first time since I can remember, being a citizen of the world with no title. I am not a student, nor a volunteer, nor an employee. I am taking what I know is a small window of time to be as free as a bird... I'm excited that I don't yet know what's next. An internship in Africa, teaching English in Asia, completing a TEFL certification in Europe, post-grad work... who knows?! I recently read an Aboriginal Proverb that said: "We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love... and then we return home." I believe my coming across this proverb – during an exact moment where I found myself briefly panicking over the fact that for the first time I am plan-less – was the universe's way of reminding me what I already know... that our time here is fleeting, that life is meant to be lived for the now, that making time for the fulfillment our dreams is what we should live for and not "make time for." As of now, I am living out one my post-graduate dreams... which is to spend some time in my hometown of Hamburg, where summers are perfect and not a day goes by that a family member doesn't drop by just to hug me hello. This time with my grandparents, over whom I shed tears of joy and gratitude each time I get to see again, family members and friends is perfect, and I am exactly where I want to be.

xoxo