6’s to 9’s

I think one of my absolute favorite things in the world is a pink sky. Besides waffles of course - some colleagues can attest to that. 

When I was in Brussels, most mornings I would wake up to a pink sky. I guess there’s a reason as to why its one of my favorite things - “Aditi” means the dawn. 

The sunrise. 

Okay, so it also means "the Mother of the Gods" but that’s a whole other story.

(My mode of transport is a rooster.)

....

It also means happiness. Something that isn’t necessarily always synonymous to me. 

It’s easy to say that this has been a bad year. I’d be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t had some hardship. My issue is more-so with the fact that this past year has been an extension of last year. And the year before that. And the one before that. 

I’ve been in Brussels now for two months and it has been great. I love Brussels. But, and I guess as is with every major city, it’s a bit tiring. 

Or maybe... it’s not quite Brussels that brings this tiredness but rather everything that comes along with it: the social, the professional, the personal. 

It adds up. 

I love Brussels. It’s Belgium but it’s also really not. 

It’s easier.

I think. 

It's the melting pot persona. I’ve always had difficulties identifying as Belgian or Indian. Or where I can call home. 

But not in Brussels. I don't have those same difficulties. I think I'm going to stay a while.

Anyway getting to the point. Why this whole spiel?

Well, I needed a break. Between the last time I wrote (which apparently was back in January) and now, a whole lot happened that I haven't been able to work through. 

And, I realize that by writing all of this, openly stating how I've been feeling the last few years, that I am not actually as happy-go-lucky as I might seem, opens up a vulnerability. 

But, I'm okay with that. 

SO! I went to Sweden! I spent four nights in Stockholm, I deactivated my social media, I walked I don’t know how many kilometers and I ate. I also petted a lot of dogs. 

Disclaimer: the actual review of my trip will be short. Because. Well. Literally all I did I just stated above.

........

Its fine you can deal with it. I don't mind. I'll tell a joke instead even though they apparently aren't appreciated. 

Right. Stockholm. 

That first day I actually accidentally ended up walking 16km. Because I cannot read maps. There. I said it. I’m a millennial who is map reading impaired. If you ever travel with me, you'll have the most detailed trip you go on, but you'll need to take over the reigns when we actually get there so we don't walk unnecessary distances. Or the wrong way. Or. Just. Yeah. 

Basically what happened was I was walking across a bridge (maps told me to) to go to an island that would let me walk to that island with all the museums. 

What I of course did not see was that part of that walk was a ferry ride. And. Right as I arrive at the ferry, it leaves. 

SO. I retraced my steps, walked 3 different islands. 

At least it was pretty. 

I saw a boat! It was a big boat.

Literally, the first thing I said as I entered the museum was: 

Wow. That's a big boat.

As you can see, I'm incredibly observant while on holiday. It was a cool boat. It traveled a whole 15 - 20 minutes before it completely sank. A Dutch guy engineered it, so. You know. 

Because I felt as though I hadn't walked enough, I decided to keep going on that island. I saw the Abba museum! I could not bring myself to walk into the museum. Sorry Abba, I love your enthusiasm, but I couldn't. 

I kept going until I saw a hill, and having recently gone bouldering for the first time I thought: YES.

It was.......... definitely not at all as difficult as the bouldering because, like most hills in nature where tourists frequent, there was a path. 

But whatever.

I like hiking. 

The next day I thought I should walk a bit more. But having learned from the day before, I only walked 13km. It was an improvement. I saw more boats, more dogs, I ate a huge falafel. And meatballs. And a cinnamon roll. 

The two days following, besides walking another reasonable set of kilometers, I decided to take it easy. 

And then I flew back to Brussels where wonderful new lockdown measures awaited me. Loving this whole corona thing. If anyone wants to be the one person I'm allowed to hug the next six weeks, lemme know. 

That’ll be it for this post. Keeping it short and sweet and honestly I’ve run out of inspiration. 

Here’s a joke: 

What do you call a pig that does karate? 

A pork chop. 

World News

Hello!!

I'm back!!

Did you miss me?

Well okay to be honest I don't really care because I missed me. I missed this whole writing thing. It's been basically a year since I've last written and my goodness.

Stuff has...

Happened.

Stuff which I will not get into.

Fine fine fine just a bit:

• I changed jobs
• I moved countries 
• I lost important people and Frizz 

So it's safe to say that I lost myself a bit throughout everything that has been going on. Which is also why I hadn't been writing. Everything sounded fake. 

I decided to (and hold for the cliché here) to take back my life. 

Why yes, I did cringe writing that.

So I did what I did best.

I travelled.

I went to The Gambia y'all!! 

It was my first time in Africa and my fifth continent. 

Why The Gambia you ask?

Well, my parents (and keep the following in mind) who were concerned about me going to Berlin on my own, suggested it. 

So The Gambia it was.

I immediately started doing research and packing. I only had two weeks to go and I was already way behind.


Yes. I pack far too much in advance. So what. It soothes me.

Anyway, turns out that The Gambia has some unfriendly mosquitos. Fun fact: these unfriendly mosquitos require vaccines.

Fun.

Oh. The best part was that apparently these vaccines have an incubation period (is that the right word?) of 10 days. I had my appointment scheduled for the 3rd of January. And I was leaving the 7th. Several, and I really do mean several, medical officials pointed out that fact to me oh so kindly.

AND that one vaccine ended up being three.

While going to Gambia I though might as well also go to Senegal.

So I booked a 'safari' trip on a reserve in Senegal.

***********************************************

The TUI flight was to leave at 6am, which meant my wonderful father would take me to the airport to be there at 4am.

It was a short 5.5 hour flight. Everything went extremely smoothly. And that's not even sarcasm. It genuinely went well.

You know even they currency exchange people were extremely fair? But extremely?

I didn't really do much that first day. I walked along the beach, but quickly realized that walking alone along the beach was not going to be an option. I'll get to that later.

The next day I was up bright and early for a 6.30 pick up to go on safari!

So we pick up the rest of the crew and head to Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, to take the ferry to Barra to get to the Senegalese border.



Okay so it was a trek. We get on the ferry only to discover that we cannot actually leave because, well, a bus was stuck. A bus that already went back and forth on the ferry trip. Twice.

It took them two hours to get the bus off the ferry.

...We saw that bus in the same position 8 hours later upon our return.

While we were on the ferry, there was a man collecting rubbish going around saying "come on guys lets keep this place clean, let's make it like America."

...

Right anyway.



Once we're in the reserve the guide prepares us for the fact that we may not see giraffes or rhino as they tend to be shy and skittish.

Within the first 10 minutes of our drive we see the rhino. Big John. That was his name. He lived up to the name.

Biggie!

We also saw zebra's, antilopes, an ostrich and little pumba's. Yes yes I know they're called warthogs, let me have this.

And then not even 20 minutes later we saw a herd of giraffes AND there were baby giraffes.

The guide told us this was the first time in months of doing this tour that he had seen all the animals.

I don't think I could have had a better day.

Oh. Except. I forgot to mention, despite being extremely prepared for mosquitos, and having put the repellent on every inch of myself, I apparently forgot my lips.

So naturally, I was stung. I woke up looking like I was a bar fight.

So I was reasonably exhausted the next day and took it easy by doing a 2 hour tour around Serrekunda market.

If you've ever been to India, it's like one of those huge markets where they sell quite literally everything under the sun.

I was too afraid of taking pictures so I took this one of chili's.

Some like it hot.

What can I say.


The next day was a 'me' day. I went to the beach at around 10am because I wanted to walk. Which I did. Kind of.

Remember when I said that walking alone was going to be a challenge? Well. Gambia is called 'The Smiling Coast of Africa' which the country definitely lives up to. Essentially what this means is, every single person will approach you and start a conversation. Not necessarily to sell you anything but literally just to talk.

I knew this going in to the walk. I had prepared myself. I had my headphones on and I walked in the sea because I figured they wouldn't want to get wet.

Yeah.

That did not help.

As I was walking many people walked up to me asking me how I was, what I was doing, what my name was (I was Maria for the time being, it's my middle name), and no matter how many times I tried to tell them thanks but no thanks, they just would not stop. I literally had to tell them "please respect me I want to walk alone."

Actually one guy who owned a beach bar started walking with me, he asked where I was staying and he said "oh so we're neighbors!"

Me: yup I guess so.

Him: yes, it's nice to walk with neighbors.

Me: yeah but I like walking alone.

Him: yes with neighbors you're never alone

Me:... yeah but I like being alone

Him: but with neighbors you can walk!

Me: ..............

He got the message.

I did end up walking for an hour and playing with 3 streetpups so all in all it was a good walk.

Poor pup was afraid of my polaroid camera

The next day the guide decided to take me around the monkey park and the Makasutu cultural forest.



So. Many. Monkeys.


I was also kind of scratched by one, but it's fine cause it didn't break the skin.... right?

Look at their little faces!! Okay so the goat wasn't a monkey but I couldn't leave him out.

At the forest we walked for what seemed to be hours. We ended up at a fortune teller who told me that I would end up working for myself and be my own boss. So if anyone has any ideas for me to start something, I'm all ears.

And then we had lunch.

Now, I'm emphasizing the fact that we had lunch.

BABOONS.

These creepy baboons swarmed us! And they are vicious beasts. Who apparently drink wine?

The last two days I realized I was exhausted so I did pool and easy walking days. I walked along the beach the last day, at 9am this time, and went shell hunting.

I saw a pufferfish! Okay it was dead but it was all poofed up! And there was another couple looking at it and I said "oh I don't think customs will let us take that along."

They didn't find it funny...

I took shells with me instead. Also, I'm not sure if I just broke the law or anything but don't tell anyone, kay?

And just like that my trip was over. We went to the airport and flew away.

Haha. I'm just kidding.

We ended up being delayed by 7 hours at the airport in Gambia because there was no fuel.

No no I'm not joking. There was actually no fuel at the airport.

So once the plane finally arrived and we were cleared to leave, the pilot kindly told us that we would be stopping in Dakar to refuel.

It's fine. We landed at 2.30am instead of 10pm the night before.

TUI, I'm looking forward to that 600 euro compensation!

So that was my trip.

I channeled my inner Toto.

A few days later I turned 26. And apparently I dreaded it so much that I ended up having some kind of stomach-flu the day of and throughout the weekend.

I guess that's just what it feels like to be older?

You know. It's been a tough couple of years and I'm working extremely hard on getting myself out of that mindset I was prior to my travels.

I'm still struggling. And that's okay.

I'm off to Switzerland this week to hopefully not break any bones. The fortune teller told me I'd never have any serious medical issues, so maybe I'm invincible.

Who knows.

Delhi

Delhi,

I need to say goodbye.

I feel as though I'm constantly saying 'bye' to you. 

But. 

Maybe that's just it. I can't say 'bye' because it will never be 'bye.'

You are a part of me. 

Granted, I am half Indian and thus, India as a whole will always be a part of me.

I know what people say. You're dangerous, you're dirty, you're this and you're that. Sure. Parts of you are all those things, but show me a country that doesn't have those things. 

Before you, I was incredibly naïve. I had this picture of my life and how it was going to be. Obviously, it didn't exactly work out that way. But that's not to say that my future hasn't been shaped for the better because of you. 

I don't necessarily know what I want. But I'm that one step closer to finding out what that is. And I have you to thank for that.

Over the course of the last six months I have travelled, worked, met incredible people and umpteen puppies, and turned 25. 

I was absolutely terrified being here. Of course, I had visited many times before and even spent six months as an exchange student two years ago. So you weren't exactly a foreigner to me. But this time was different.  

I think in the beginning I tried planning as many trips as I could the following months so that I didn't need to think of being 'alone.' I don't think I wanted to admit that I was actually having a tough time. I don't think I realized it myself. 

I think I was just trying to figure out my life at lightning speed and by planning all these events and trips in between helped me move along. Maybe I shouldn't have done that. Not that I regret all the adventures. Not at all. But, maybe I would have let myself settle and my 'anxiety' wouldn't result in sleepless nights. 

In September I started a new job. My first official job with a think-tank whose objective it is to clean up the Ganga river basin. I was Executive Outreach Officer. Essentially I spoke to embassies and international organizations to create a network and database of clean tech which we, together with the Indian government, could use to further our objective. I loved the work I did; to be in contact with all these different people, to learn about new technology and to see how these two could intertwine to make a difference, I felt like I was making a difference. That thought was only furthered after the summit we organized for which I was personally responsible for inviting more than 15 countries and their dignitaries. I was good. Delhi gave me the confidence and room to become that person. 

Last day of 3-day summit with 500 people

I owe a lot of my professional growth to the Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga. It's because of him and the people at the NMCG that I reached as far as I did. I was introduced to several different international organizations and opportunities I otherwise would not have had the chance to meet. I understand that the NMCG receives a lot of negative feedback, but honestly, they don't deserve it. I know I'm a bit biased in saying that, but they do work hard.

Despite this, I decided it was time to leave.

Being in Delhi, I had good times and bad. Diwali was bittersweet. We celebrated light(ness) but couldn't help but think of those who should have been there with us.

In December I visited Varanasi, one of the places I was trying to save. It was a bit surreal. This river is 2525km long.

Assi Ghat - Varanasi

Varanasi

G.O.A.T.

In January I became 25. As much as I dislike the number, I had a fantastic birthday;

I was in Pune. I sat by a pool. I ate cake. I was with happy people. 

I was happy.

Lucky Chops - go listen.

Pune

Of course, going to a concert the day after and the zoo the day after that made it all the more fantastic. 

And then February I spent a weekend in Bhubaneswar and a week in Lucknow with my grandfather. I wish that week could have slowed down. It all went too fast.

Now I'm back in Delhi. Writing this piece exactly 6 months after my last post. 

And all I can say is, thank you Delhi.

I don't know when I'll be back, so I won't say 'bye.' Knowing myself, I won't be gone for long. I can't seem to stay away for longer than three months at a time. I think it'll be longer than three months and my visit will be under different circumstances, I'm sure. But I'm coming back. Each time I try to say 'bye' I'm right back at that 1am arrival time in T3. 

Delhi, I think you're fantastic. 

Don't you dare let anyone ever tell you otherwise. 

I also have a special mention to these people:

Sonali, David, Jessica, Théo, Dona and Edouard. I don't know what I would have done without all of you. And thank you for my 'farewell' dinner, it was... interesting. Please keep updating me.

Cheers.

Feels Like We Only Go Backwards

I wasn't planning on writing another post, but due to (apparent?) popular demand, here she is.

(Guys, are you sure about this? It's not like my life is actually interesting?)

I have had quite literally one of the best summers to date.

I don't even quite know where to begin?

I know almost everyone says that, but seriously.

Someone help.

Solar Fest. It was a vibe.

After I returned from India and Bali, of which you can find the posts here and here (respectively), I went with Julie to London to go to Ravinia's wedding.

Congrats again Ravinia! You looked regal. 

So about a day or two after getting back from London, I figured why try to get over my 6 hour jet lag and just go to the beach instead for a few days where my sleep would most definitely be interrupted.

I.

Did not take any pictures.

Oh wait! I did. But it's not my proudest moment. I was convinced this was a sharks' tooth.

Apparently.

It was not.

*Insert creative segue into the next part* 

*I'm clearly an amazing copywriter.*

Fast forward a few days and we're with the boys. And what do we do? Actually. I don't think we did anything. You guys showed me that show 'Love Island'? What even was that?

These boys are some of the best people I know. If only they'd learn to stop picking on me. And fourth-wheeling me.  

I know it comes from a place of love. 

Right? 

You guys can just pretend it does. It's fine. It's cool. 

My favorite part of being with them though is this guy. Smokey. The fluffiest polar bear dog you'll ever meet: 

Will you just look at his face.

To be honest, he's the only reason I put up with the 'abuse.'

The next day, the girls, Joris and I head to the beach (surprise!) and go paddle boarding. I'd just like to point out that Karyna and I pretty much owned. 

Did we fall in?

Nope.

Did we coordinate like pro's?

Yup.

Did we try to stand?

Eh. 

No... not really no.

But hey, we did not fall in. So you know. Go us. We owned. Obviously. 

Clearly naturals.  

The next evening I was supposed to go back home. But, who was I to think that the Belgian train system would function like it normally should. Crazy thought. Trains running when they're supposed to. 

As all my trains home were cancelled due to ....? we went to the beach! At night! Which I recently learned is actually illegal. 

It's fine.

It's cool.

The sunset was pretty. 

This person right here. Riana. I'm going to miss you. Just move with me. It'll be fine.

I also volunteered at a farm for a day, doing farm work, like picking up... donkey and bull... stuff. The bull seemed to take a liking to me. 

Fails, the bull (yes that's his name), did NOT leave me alone. He followed me, bumped into me, licked me, and do you know how heavy bulls are? This thing was taller than me and I do NOT have the muscle power to push away a bull. 

A. Bull.

At one point Ryan had to get the wheelbarrow and leave me alone in the bull and donkey pen. I was only more than slightly terrified. I kind of just ran around the pen hoping to avoid Fails, threatening to use the rake as some form of defense only Fails knew that I would not be able to push him back so it was like that scene in that show where the people are running comically fast and that music plays in the background. I can't think of it. But you know what I'm talking about? Like the people are chasing each other. 

Benihana? Or is that that restaurant? 

You know the one. It's fine. 

This post should actually be called: Summer 2018 or: How I Stopped Worrying and Was Attacked By a Bull. 

Oh. And don't even get me started on the emu.

Anywho! Because I could not get enough of gigantic animals and creepy pre-historic looking birds,  Jamie, Charlie and I went to the zoo! 

Because three adults of 24+ going to the zoo is a completely normal thing to do on a Thursday. 

It was the best. Because. 

Elephants. 

Look at how pretty she is! I want one. I'm going to have several at my wedding if I ever get married. Or not even marriage, think I'll just throw myself a party. 

All in all the day was great. 

Except when I don't get food in me. 

That's when my true colors begin to show. As Charlie and Jamie found out. 

Hangry doesn't really begin to cover it. 

Look. I'm sorry I snapped but if you don't feed me, that's whats going to happen. And I'm sorry I stormed off with my burger and went to sit by myself. 

Food just trumps common decency #sorrynotsorry. 

But to be honest, most people would be pissed too if you walked around for an hour and a half because some people couldn't make up their minds. 

Rant over. 

I love you guys really. 

Here's another elephant. 

A few days later, one Saturday night, at 8pm, when I was thinking I'd have a very relaxed following Sunday evening, I get a text from Charlie. 

He has backstage passes to a festival (Solar Fest) about an hours drive away. 

And. To be honest. 

I could not be bothered. 

Seriously. An hours drive.

On a Sunday.

Sunday is Netflix and eat day. 

Turns out.

It was one of my favorite Sundays to date.

And I'm so happy I went. 

We get to the venue and it had views. 

The passes included hanging out with this incredible band with some of the nicest people I've met. 

Lucky Chops.

You guys were.

I have no words for you.

This is a bad picture. 

But I mean.

Just look them up.

They were SO good. 

If I were to write anything about you guys it wouldn't do it justice so I'm going to save face and just tell people to look you guys up. 

It was an amazing day. 

If you guys ever find yourselves in India or in Belgium, please let me know. I feel like I owe you for being so cool to Charlie and me. 

Also. I'll be forever grateful for teaching me the 'flossy' dance. My uncoordinated self thanks you. 

(Although this was kind of ruined for me when my brother proved to me a few days later that it could be learned in 5 seconds and that I am in fact just horrendous at dancing.) 

The next day was a bit of a funny one. 

Well.

Not so much funny as the most spontaneous thing I've done this summer. 

Alright fine. It was downright 'crazy.' 

Or... was it fate? 

The band was headed to Amersfoort. And someone may have suggested that I head down there as well.

So I mean, what was I supposed to do? Take a few trains for 3 hours to go see people I had met for less than 24 hours?

Well...

Yes. That's exactly what I did. 

The amount of convincing though to get me there. The phrase 'you're killing me, Smalls' may have popped up here and there.  

It was worth it. 

Come to India and I'll come to Philly. 

I'm happy I went.

The hat was only slightly too big for my child sized head.  

The next day I got to see my brother and future sis-in-law. They brought two packs of sour patch kids which make them the best. And then I finished the two packs in two nights and I did not feel so wonderful. 

Evidently. I have no self-control. 

San Fransisco 2019 yoooooo! I'm there. And I'll stay for 3 weeks and you won't get rid of me and I'll just live there and eat sour patch kids. And gushers and all the other candy that I've missed the last 10 years. Should I come in October as well? I feel like I should. 

Unfortunately, you guys had to leave because of 'obligations.' Who even does that. Obligations. Really. I'm clearly much more important. My niece seems to think so. She runs around the house telling me I'm her BFF. So I'm more than enough reason to stay. 

So to help me get over my horrendous sadness, we had a mini party! That was a fun night. And don't forget, you all promised to come to India for my birthday. 

Ryan and Charlie I'm genuinely insulted you guys didn't know (and probably have forgotten by now) when my birthday is. Why would it be in August? Would I not have mentioned that at some point in the last few years?

I'm going to need a bigger apartment if I'm going to fit everyone I've invited for my birthday. 

Anders visited me for a few days! I haven't seen him in about 8 years. We did express tours of Antwerp, Leuven and Brussels. And. I'm exhausted. Sorry for the lack of tour guiding experience! 

And now my summer is slowly coming to an end. In exactly 10 days I'm off to India to start a new life. 

I am killing it with the cheesy cliches.  

Some have argued that I'm just a cheeseball in general. 

I'm leaving Belgium. I'm leaving a place that has served as my base for the last six years. And, to be completely honest, it's terrifying. This small country tested my limits most of the time, but it was easy here. I'm leaving the safety and comfort of this small country for a big chaotic, intriguing country like India. It's the biggest move I've ever made on my own. 

Don't get me wrong. I'm excited, but I'm scared. And. I don't scare easily. Insidious is in my top five. I'm scared to the point that I've started having nightmares about how to buy chicken from the market. I'm fairly certain I'll be protein deficient by the first few months.  

(Seriously though, where do I buy chicken? Online they only sell frozen chicken nuggets).

I'm over-exaggerating. I know. It'll all work out in the end. 

But still.

And to add to it, this summer I've met people who I'd rather not have said 'bye' to quite as quickly as I've had to. 

And. I've spent time with people without who I don't know what I'm going to do if I don't see them a few times a week. 

Charlie and Riana. I don't know what I'm going to do without you guys being literally only a phone call away. Since I got back from my Delhi exchange, you guys have been there nonstop. Even when I was a massive pain, even when I made mistakes, even when I was frustrating to no end. 

And. I know I was all of those things. 

If I had a dollar for every time Charlie called me a 'donut' for doing something dumb, I'd probably be able to buy three and a half of those fancy donuts that cost about 10 euro. Who else will I do Carpool Karaoke with?! 

Riana I don't even know. I'm kind of half-expecting you to be in my suitcase when I arrive. We've been through so much together the last few years. I'm sorry I'm leaving, but you're going to do great things. You are. I know it. I'm not gone for forever. And if I am, I'll just come get you. 

Sofie. We live about 20 min walking distance from each other and although we didn't really get to see each other that much, you have no idea how important you are to me. Don't worry so much. Everything is going to work out. It always has and always will. You deserve it. Also. Please send more pictures of your cat. 

There are many more people I should be mentioning; Ryan, Jamie, Karyna, Mariya, Loïs... But I can hardly see through my eyes at the moment. 

No. I haven't been tearing up. You have. 

I think this is a good moment to round off. Coincidentally, Tame Impala's 'Feels Like We Only Go Backwards' has started playing right as I said that (title reference woop). 

Fate? 

I think so. 

Bye Belgium.