It is crazy how quickly this summer has flown by and to reflect on all the amazing things I have been able to see and experience. I have traveled through Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Ethiopia within this short time span of 3 months. Similarly, people throughout the program have taken advantage of their IGL term to travel to nearby countries that they would otherwise not have visited.
The final leg of this whirlwind summer was spent in Ethiopia. So much of Ethiopia’s identity is connected to its history, a history passed on orally which traces its roots back thousands of years. Ethiopia was one of the earliest nations to adopt Christianity. I was fortunate enough to visit a town called Lalibela, a place best known as the site where the king ordered the construction of 11 monolithic stone churches to create a “New Jerusalem”. The most known one out of these is St. George church, carved out of the ground by hand from one, unbroken piece of stone. The town is completely isolated from modern world with everything devoted to religion. There are no cars or paved streets in the center of the town as most of the population is dedicated to the priesthood. The simplicity of their way of life, combined with the breathtaking view of a town in the center of rolling hills and mountains adds to its timeless atmosphere.
It was amazing to spend almost a month reacquainting myself with relatives I have not seen in years as well as my heritage and culture. Though Ethiopia and Vietnam share many similarities (like their crazy roads, beautiful scenery and friendly people), it was calming to be back in a country that felt more like home and surrounded with family.
It has been officially one week since I have been back home in Toronto and I now fully appreciate what a multicultural and welcoming environment that we live in. Events have already started for fall recruiting season, signaling that it’s time to return to normality, despite the travel bug that has undoubtedly bit us all with this obsessive need to continually travel.
Until Next Time,
-Meklit