10 Question Check-In: Brooklyn

1. Out of all the places we’ve visited so far, what is the most amazing sight or activity you’ve experienced? I have really enjoyed everything so far so it was hard to make one decision, but one highlight was the elephant reserve. I really enjoyed that because I liked seeing all the animals and how hard everyone working there were trying to be able to release them back into the wild. It also made me happy to see that they were trying to help all the elephants that had a terrible life before to be as happy as possible.

2. If you could only have one dish/food from this entire trip again, what would it be and which country was it from? I loved many foods so far on this trip but a specific food that stood out to me was shawarma which we had lots of in Jordan and some from Dubai. I really like shawarma because of the delicious spices the meat has and all the fresh flavors of vegetables. I also have a few favourite desserts such as macrons from Paris and Dubai chocolate from Dubai.

3. What was the biggest challenge you overcame or the moment that made you most stressed? I was really stressed about the tiger safari because I was worried about being so close to dangerous wild animals. I realize now that I had nothing to worry about and I actually really enjoyed seeing the tiger. Next time we do something I am nervous about, I will go into it more open minded.

4. What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about a culture, a person, or a historical event on this trip? I was very surprised to learn that in 2004 many countries were hit by the worlds deadliest and most destructive tsunami. Even some of the countries on are trip including India, Thailand, and Malaysia. I was shocked that we have been to some areas that the tsunami hit Thailand and to see how much the area has been repaired vs pictures of after the tsunami. Our closest beach was one of the hardest hit areas.

5. Describe a moment where you had to use a new skill (like speaking a foreign phrase, reading a map, or haggling) that you wouldn’t have learned in a regular classroom. Over are trip so far we have attempted at learning basic things to say in other languages in most of the countries we have been to so far. We have learned things such as Hello and sometimes other basics.

• Paris, Merci (Thank you)
• Portugal, obrigada (Thank you for women) obrigado (Thank you for men)
• Jordan, Shukran (Thank you) ma’ (water)
• Dubai, Shukran (Thank you)
• Thailand, Sawadeeka (Hello or goodbye for women), Sawadee khrap (Hello or goodbye for men), khop khun kha (Thank you for women), khop khun khrap (Thank you for men)

6. What is 1 THING you miss at home? I miss my painting set, because I have been seeing so many beautiful animals that I have been wanting to paint.

7. If you could give yourself one piece of advice from four months ago, what would it be? I would tell myself not to worry so much because before the trip started I was worrying about everything. That is the advice I would have given this advice to myself because it would have saved me so much stress about things I did not need to worry about.

8. Now that we’re halfway through the countries, how does the reality of traveling the world compare to the version you pictured in your head before we left? Before we left it felt kind of like a dream that did not feel real until we was on the way there. I am having a lot more fun than I expected to have because I was so worried before it started.

9. Of the countries still on our list (the next 7), which one are you most excited to visit and why? I am really looking forward go to Vietnam because it is supposed to be a beautiful country. I am exited to do basket boating which are circular boats that are paddled in circles. Another thing in Vietnam that looks really cool is the Golden Bridge which is supported by huge carved hands and it is on the top of a mountain so we will have to take the worlds longest cable car to get to it.

10. What specific activity, landmark, or meal still to come are you counting down the days for? I can not wait for the Ice Cream Museum in Singapore! We get UNLIMITED ice cream, learn about ice cream, and there are interactive rooms! I have been looking forwards to this attraction even before we left on our trip.