How it came to be that I ended up packing at the moment for a trip to the Mediterannean

I was originally scheduled to work with children in Hong Kong this summer. I have never been to Asia, and so I scheduled some time after the trip to explore Japan as well. All was going well until I received a mysterious phone call. I recognized the number as my employer in Hong Kong, answered, and was told, sorry wrong number. pause. "we'll call you later."

Strange I thought, and then I moved on with what I was doing.

Later that afternoon I called the office with another question relating to an airport pick up and the main person got on and started to apologize for earlier, and then started to explain.

Hong Kong site has been canceled she told me. I was shocked, dismayed, and very sad.

What are the options I asked at the end of our conversation. All of the staff are being re-evaluated I was told for other placement. Are any international positions open I inquired. No, I was told - only domestic.

I later wrote an email thanking her for taking the time to explain things, answer my questions, and also to reiterate that I am still working for the organization. I also emphasized that I would really like to work at an international site. She responded that it would be very unlikely a position would open up.

Soon after I was offered a position in Baltimore where I could work both sessions with the students. I agreed, and the paperwork began. I emailed again reminding them that I was still available and very interested in working abroad, I also thanked them for finding me an opportunity domestic at the same time.

Then, I got a phone call. Apparently, the Madrid director walked into the director's office. We have a problem they said, someone dropped. Give me five minutes said the director.

I was her solution. I accepted immediately.

I will be in Madrid for most of July working with the students.

Not just Madrid:

I booked my ticket to arrive in Casablanca, Morocco. In one week I will have both feet planted firmly on the streets of North Africa, of this I remain amazed. From there it is only important that I arrive in Madrid by July 2nd. After the program ends, I will stay in Europe and explore for a month, returning from Istanbul to New York August 26th.

The journey from Madrid to Istanbul is the adventure, and I hope to share it with you through this journal of my experiences.