Currently

It seems like the only action on my blog was the change of the background picture every once in a while. So, I decided to update everyone on how I am doing. I am aware that most of it is going to sound like "white people" problems, so don't judge!

Just to let you know what I have been doing recently:

I am living alone in Ljubljana, in a pretty comfortable room with its own kitchen and bathroom. It's a dreamy place to study: no noise, no distractions, and of course - crappy internet connection.

Other than my studies (or the thoughts of them, which are more time-consuming) I am busy making plans. I think, if I were to mention my favourite hobby, it would probably be making plans and designing check-lists. Nothing keeps my heart beet vast than a well developed plan of what I am going to do in the future.

My whole life now revolves around paperwork, phone calls, applications, CVs, visas, reservations, booking, thinking which way is cheaper to travel, and food.

For my dissertation, I have decided man up and to do it the hard way - travel across the ocean towards a country I do not have any idea about nor speak the language to conduct an ethnographic research on Armenians and Armenian language. My travels towards that magical land starts in 12 days. Interestingly, I am not going there straight away. Nope. I am visiting every country nearby, then going there. Oh, have I not mentioned? I am going to South America.

My trip starts on December 12th when I hop on a plain for 13 hours and end up in Sao Paulo, Brazil! After about a month I am flying to Buenos Aires, Argentina for some fieldwork and networking. Also tourism, of course. Then (maybe) going to Peru for a week, then back to Buenos Aires. In February, I am finally making it to Montevideo, Uruguay for a month and a half. On April 1st, I am going back to Amsterdam, spending a couple of days in the Hague (hopefully my friend would allow me to crash at her place), then traveling to Brussels, then to Paris, then to Lyon for System of a Down Concert, then maybe to Zurich (always wanted to visit for a day of two), then finally back to Ljubljana for a month and a half to concentrate on my studies and finish up my thesis. Theeeeen, that's where my plans end for a while. But I am thinking.

So now, because of this overly exhausting (and probably the best plans I have come up with my whole life) I am sitting around in Ljubljana and stressing out. "What if's" and "How on earth's" are not leaving my head, and I have a stay-up-all-night-thinking insomnia.

I am stress-eating and stress-shopping. Lucky for me, a two-Euro nail polish is enough for a day, so the harms to my budget are not that bad.

I miss my family.

I am going to Milan in 5 days and I have no idea how I am getting there.

I have to present my thesis proposal in front of a big audience of professors, and I am mortified.

Concentrating is the hardest thing in the world. And when I have so much to do, I find it a lot easier to just not do anything.

Well, this what my life looks like now. And even though I am stressing and not sleeping nearly enough - I think I am the happiest I can be.

Conversations. Part 2

As I have mentioned previously, one of the super cool things about living abroad and traveling is the fact that you meet so many different people along the way. You learn from them, share experiences, and if you are very lucky, you will have some stories to tell afterwards. Just to be clear, I do not want to stereotype anybody, I am simply sharing my experience.

So, this post is about the conversations with people I have met, all the weird and funny things I have heard, and all the questions that I have kept asking myself ever since.

The Kurdish Guy and Urban Decay 

It was raining in Vienna on the last day. I was in the city centre, and naturally, I tried to find a dry place to hide for a little bit. I found myself in the beautify shop (shocking!) and started looking around, you know, since I was killing time...

In the corner there was a whole shelf of makeup from Urban Decay - this over-expensive pretty good brand mostly famous for its "Nude" eyeshadows. I was looking around, trying some on my hand when a handsome guy, mid twenties, approached me:

- Are you interested in anything particular?

- Nope, juuuuuust looking. (And hiding from the rain.)

- Well, let me know if you need anything. Where are you from by the way?

- Oh, I am from Armenia. A small country. Nobody really knows much about it.

- Are you KIDDING me? I am Kurdish. My family lived on almost the border with Armenia.

- Oh. Really?

- YEAH! I know all about you guys. The history, the Genocide... Come on!! 

Yeah, the Genocide topic popped up in the conversation initially about makeup. He continued.

- You know, I can say "Ես քեզ սիրում եմ" (translation from Armenian: I love you) and... "հավատում եմ" (translation: I believe). Oh my god, do you know Sirusho? (name of an Armenian singer)

I smiled and nodded yes.

- I am obsessed with Siruho! - he continued, -She is just so pretty! You know her song... what's it called? What's it called?...

- Em... I don't know... Քելե-քելե?

- Yes, that one. I love all of her songs. I don't understand anything, but who cares?

I noticed that the shop was nearly empty, and decided to talk a bit more with the guy. I introduced myself and said that I was glad meeting him.

- Oh, of course, honey. - he replied, - We should look after each other. Come on, we are basically brother nations, we have the same enemy. You know what's going in Turkey now, right? 

- Yes, I do. And I am sorry. 

Then I decided to tell him about a nice little chat I had with a Turkish guy in Budapest, where I was earlier that week. I went to a Turkish cafe and had a Shawarma with my new acquaintance from Taiwan - Marcus. Cool guy. When we entered, Marcus told me that he really wanted to visit Turkey. I told him that Istanbul is a beautiful city and he should definitely do that. Also, I told him that he could also visit Armenia, but if he wanted to take the bus, he should know he had to go through Georgia. Of course, he asked why. I had to tell him the whole story. When we went to order some food, the guy making shawarma asked me if I was Turkish as well (I get that a lot!), and I said I was from Armenia. The guy (who later told me he was studying political science and wanted to be a diplomat one day) followed us to our table, asking me a bunch of questions about politics. I wanted to share my experience with the Kurdish guy.

So I started:

- ... So, this Turkish guy turns to me and says "What do you Armenians want from us?! I want to understand and see what we (the Turkish government) can do about it." And I told him he should google the list. Then he turned to me and said "Well, if you want your territory back and we give it to you, then everybody will want their territory back as well. I want to help you, but if we give you land, then Greek people want land, Assyrian want land, Kurdish people want land...What do we have left then, I don't understand..." and I replied to him that maybe they shouldn't have conquered the lands in the first place. Right?

- Ah, don't even get me started!

And we ended up talking for another half hour about Turkey, Armenia and Kurdish people. Then we switched to make-up, travels and weather. Then the rain stopped, and I had to leave. 

Conversations. Part 1

One of the super cool things about living abroad and traveling is the fact that you meet so many different people along the way. You learn from them, share experiences, and if you are very lucky, you will have some stories to tell afterwards. Just to be clear, I do not want to stereotype anybody, I'm simply sharing my experience.

So, this post is about the conversations with people I have met, all the weird and funny things I have heard, and all the questions that I have kept asking myself ever since.

The Chechen driver and his brother's respect

I was on my way from Vienna to Ljubljana in a car full of strangers. I found them on the website of Bla-Bla Car - one of the fun and cheap ways to get around in Europe. One of the benefits - you get hours of conversations with a driver and most likely two other people in the car.

Sometimes the drivers are talkative, sometimes - not so much. This guy was originally from Chechnya - a republic in North Caucasus and a federal subject of Russia. Beautiful place. Don't believe me? Check out the picture.

Modern day Grozny, ladies and gentlemen!

There were 5 of us in the car, with the driver and his brother comfortably sitting in the front and talking on their native language, and three passengers (two Austrians and myself). Since I don't speak German that well, and they did not speak English - our communication did not lead anywhere in the beginning, other then him asking if I have any luggage to put in the trunk. I nodded yes. Then, of course, he asked me what other languages I spoke, and I mentioned Russian. That's where the fun started.

First, of course, he told me about the migration history of his family, which was fascinating. Then he went towards "Երկիրը երկիր չի" (inner joke for my Armenian friends. Sorry!) and ended somewhere "Եվրոպան էլ մի ապրելու տեղ չի, անջիգյար ժողովուրդ են". Made me smile. He reminded me of home. The driver and I talked for a while. Then, all of a sudden we heard an Armenian song from his CD. I didn't know the song, never heard if before. And I was kind of a song that usually makes your ears bleed. You know, the "մուղամ" song that everyone hates. You know what? At that time and place - I loved it. Almost sounded like music to my ears.

When we stopped to breathe some fresh air and use the bathroom. While everyone was minding their business, the brother of the driver said hi. I said hi back. He said "I noticed you were talking to my brother the whole way. When you were talking about Armenia, I wanted to say that there was an Armenian boy in my class. We made a lot of pranks together..." I smiled and asked why he didn't say that earlier. And he replied: "Well, you were talking to my older brother. I could't have intervened. It's a RESPECT thing."

Ljubljana: new life, new habits

"Where are you, Laura? Where have you been? Where are you moving next?" I get asked that a lot (not to brag). Well, as of today (and the next 2 months) I am in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

View from my window in Ljubljana.

I moved here for two months, to do a module on Identity and Language in the framework of Migration and small nations (I am a student, for crying out loud).

As always, starting a new life (especially a short one) means one thing: series of new habits and promises to myself that I would try to keep but would eventually fail. Doesn't matter, I still love this part.

So, for the next two months, here is the list of my new habits.

1) Eating healthy.

Haha. I got you, right? 

No, but seriously, this is what I would keep myself busy with. I started with something known as "Cabbage Soup Cleans" which was recommended to me by some friends who assured me: "It works!" 

It's a pretty tough diet that goes on for 7 days. For those interested, here is the link: http://www.cabbage-soup-diet.com/

2) Getting comfortable with myself and my thoughts.

Not what you think, perverts. I decided to start a life where I am not afraid of loneliness. In the beginning of my first year as an MA student I wasn't coping well with loneliness. I was depressed for two weeks, and it took me a whole year to be self-dependent. I think I am on the right track, but I still need some more practice. For instance: traveling by myself, or spending hours reading instead of hanging out with friends and all...

3) Learning how to cook

Probably the worst place to start with that, as students get 50% off for the food in restaurants, which makes it more affordable than cooking for yourself. Still, for the next two months I am learning how to cook.

4) Staying in touch with people I love

Not only through Facebook and Whatsapp, but through postcards and old-fashioned mails. First thing to do - get everyone's addresses.

5) Stop being a shopaholic.

Spending tons of money on things I don't need - that is so me. Well, not anymore. As of October 15th - I am not spending any more money on things I can live happily without. Except for, maybe, when there is 50% sale... or better yet - 70%.

6) Getting real.

One of the advices of my dad, and a new habit: becoming more responsible. Plan and stick to it - that's my new motto. I have decided that starting from today no more missing deadlines and leaving everything last minute. This is the day I grow up, and that is what grow-ups do (I think)!

7) Going back to studying Spanish.

I spent my whole life thinking that I would never go to South America. Well, as of right now it is not so impossible as I thought. So, watching movies in Spanish, reading and maybe finding new friends to practice Spanish would be my thing. Now, where in Slovenia can I find Spanish-speaking people?

_____

Well, this is it for now. If I keep at least 3-4 of these new habits/promises to myself, then I will reward myself with a new laptop. My old one is falling apart already.

Safari

When in Uganda, I had to do a Safari tour. There are two major destinations for Safari in Uganda: Murchison falls and Queen Elisabeth. I chose the first one and was very excited.

I chose one of the more affordable packages: three days in Murchison falls, on the Nile and a Rhino Sanctuary. All inclusive, except for food. Also, one of the most exciting things: I was gonna sleep in a tent.

Now, one of the most fun things was letting my parents know about my plans.

They were really happy about the Safari, but not crazy about me sleeping in a tent. Here are some comments I heard:

#1
Mom: "I raised you... I spent sleepless nights for you... and this is how you are thanking me? Spending a night in a tent so some lion would eat you? You, ungrateful child!"
Me: "Mom, it's not one night. It's two nights"
Mom: "Ah, what difference does it make. You're gonna be eaten at some point!"

#2
Me: "Mom, it is really ok. There are a lot of people. No animal is going to eat me. I promise, there is nothing to worry about"
Mom: "How did I raise you so abnormal? Did you get it from my breast-milk? Ah, they told me not to breast-feed you longer than 6 months. This is what happens when you do!! "

#3 (I was already on the way to Murchison. On the phone)
Me: "Hey daddy! Happy Birthday!!"
Dad: "Hey sweetie! Good that you remember my birthday. You know what the best gift for me would be? Would you give me the gift of surviving those 3 days and not being eaten by lions or whatever creature you will see?"
Me: "Yes, daddy. I promise!"

Safari was awesome. I didn't see lions or leopards, but I saw a whole bunch of other wonderful things.

Turns out, even if I don't get eaten by lions, my tent might be attacked by a warthogs. That's why we were all told to take out everything that we have that smells (good or bad, doesn't matter).

Here are the falls: Murchison and Uhuru (Independence).

And the rest of the wonders of Murchison Falls National Park

Rhinos are the scariest animals I have seen. They are freaking huge!! Plus, I heard this from our ranger 

Ranger: "If it attacks you, you have to hide behind the tree" 

Me: "What if I don't make it? Would you shoot the rhino?"

Ranger: "Oh, no. The life of a rhino is costs way more than human's. They are dying species, you know..."

Well, maybe not exactly his words, but all the ranger meant was that he was in no way going to harm the rhino.

Btw, funny story. There is a family of rhinos in this sanctuary, where the Mom is from the US and the Dad is from Kanya. Guess the name of their child! Obama! Haha.

Even though I booked my tour by myself, I met a bunch of nice people and shared a drink or two (or three... or four, who keeps count)

BEST TRIP EVER!

Uganda's nature

I am sure I have mentioned this before, but the nature in Uganda is stunning.

Although the rainy season has begun, and the rays of sun don't burn your head as often, Kampala stays its gorgeous self.

The rain here is nothing I have seen before. Here, it rains as if there's no tomorrow. But unlike Germany, or Norway, it stops after a short while. 20 minutes, 30 minutes. Not more than that.

DID YOU SEE THAT HORNY COW?!

One of the things that amuse me the best in Uganda is the nature. Not a day has passed without me smiling at a chicken, a goat, at those weird-looking-man-eating marabous, and other beautiful birds of different colour and most importantly - the cows.

A horny cow would usually mean something else in a different context, but in this one - it literally  means a really horny cow.

The cows here are amazing! They have huge horns, which make you worry about your ass when you approach them. I was told by the locals, that the cows are not aggressive and won’t attack, but honestly - they are badshit scary!

Here are some pictures! You judge.

I was attending a very serious and important training in Mbarara. Halfway through the training I noticed the cows from the window!! Leaving the important event behind, I raced to the field, where the cows were enjoying the fresh grass. I didn’t care for the rain, nor the slippery soil. All I cared about - were the cows! Ah… the cows!! 

My colleague joined me in a while. He started telling me different fascinating facts about cows. Apparently I am the last person to find out that when the season comes for cows to get pregnant, they get on top of other female cows to “send a message” to the bulls that they are ready for… you know…

With this in mind, I remembered several occasions, where females of another species - humans, would get all over one another to impress the males. Come on, we have all seen that in bars. Girls making out with each other to impress a guy….

Well, next time I encounter that, I will enlighten the females that they did not invent the girl on girl action. The Ugandan cows did! :D