I started out my year at home. I got to surprise my niece and nephew by jumping out of a box as their Christmas present. Then I rang in the new year in Minneapolis at a bluegrass concert which was followed by a campfire in a shed. So typically perfect.
After returning to Montenegro I continued a very confusing job search. I thought so much about staying, but eventually landed on the idea of Central Asia with some helpful pointers from a parent of one of my students. I was offered several "wrong fit" jobs before finally accepting a position teaching 4th grade in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Whenever anyone asks me "Why Kazakhstan?" I respond with "the mountains".
In the spring I was able to spend 2 weeks traveling around Greece. Everyone raves about the islands, but in my opinion the best part was Meteora. Here, there are several monasteries located on pillars of rocks. I was able to visit some of them, but I'll be honest that the views from the outside where far better than the views of the inside.
I made the best of my final months in Montenegro by going rafting, beach camping, and having the pleasure of a few friends visiting me, so that I could show them my favorite part of the world.
After school ended I took a brief road trip through Serbia with my friend Rebecca, which was a complete failure, perhaps because we did not do enough research, or perhaps because there just isn't much information about eco tourism in this part of the world yet. However I was in good company, and we made the most of the difficulties we faced.
I continued on to Bulgaria, where I was able to explore the beautiful city of Sofia, and to spend 3 wonderful days hiking. This included a tour of the Rila 7 lakes, and a trek to the top of the highest mountain in Bulgaria. The last day of hiking was the easy hike, but mentally and physically was the toughest for me.
I had a few quick days in Skopje, Macedonia catching up with a friend before spending my last evenings in Tivat and heading home.
Home involved a lot of live music and serious life contemplation about why I can't just be happy and settle in the cities and be done with it all. Needless to say, life has not yet led me there yet, and so after my 3 amazing weeks with friends and family I was ready to leave and start into "normal life" again.
Though Almaty and I did not have the best start I have grown to know this city as a home. As long as I get to the mountains every weekend I can stay sane. What more can you ask from a city really? I have night life, I have the possibility of social life, and the mountains are a 30 minute bus ride away.
During my October break I traveled to Israel, which has always been a top priority for me. While I was interested in the religious history I found the large crowds and tourist traps to be annoying. I was glad I didn't set my expectations too high and re-set my mind to enjoy Israel for what it actually is: A country with a lot of history that has been way oversold, but that has an interesting culture worth exploring even with all the traps.
This year for winter break I'm heading back to Spain, to explore Barcelona and the south, and then on to Portugal which will be my 39th country :)
I'm looking forward to all the changes that 2018 will bring in my life, as well as the struggles I know I will face.
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