Kayleen Travels

feels like my second home. Not because of my familiarity with the city, but because of my friends who live there. That's all it takes for anywhere to feel like home. This is my last stop before going home to Bay City, Michigan. So to recap. On September 14, 2013 I went to Chicago. Arrived in South Africa on September 17. On October 1, I embarked on a great road trip. I went to Swaziland, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia (for a hot second), Namibia, and Lesotho. I spent the last two weeks of October in The Gambia and Senegal. November 2, 2013 I arrived in Ghana, where I stayed until April 10, 2014. Except for the weekend I spent in Togo. April 11, 2014 Dubai. April 12-May 10, 2014, Washington D.C., Atlanta,  New Orleans. It's been wild. Thanks everyone.

If D.C. was about art and history, Atlanta was about family. I spent Easter weekend in Atlanta with my good friend, Shauntea. I met Shauntea in Ghana in 2010 doing study abroad. She has since been a very close friend, though its been three years since I last saw her.  When we went to a family cookout on Easter Sunday, Shauntea's dad greeted me by saying, "Welcome home," something I find very precious. It means that I am more than a guest, but received like family. It means belonging and acceptance. And it means a lot to me. I have been welcomed home by a number of families in a number of places, and it's wonderful how many homes and families I have all over the world.

Washington D.C. This is my first time to Washington D.C. It is about time I visit the capital of my home country considering I have visited the capitals of many other countries. I have even been to The White House in Senegal! What a homecoming. I was welcomed by my good friend, Abby, warm weather, and a variety of cheeses. I got to explore D.C. and its many monuments, memorials, and museums. AND it was the start of cherry blossom season (talk about timing).  Here are a few pictures- Next stop: Atlanta!

Since my flight was through Emirates, I had a layover in Dubai on my way home to the U.S. Twenty hours.  Lucky for me, American citizens do not need a visa to enter Dubai. Also lucky for me, a friend of mine connected me to her friend, Ellen, who has been living in Dubai for almost three years.  I arrived at 5:00am on little sleep. The airport was quite fancy, especially in comparison to the one in Accra. From there, I took a taxi to Ellen's apartment. It was a beautiful morning drive- Ellen was incredibly accommodating. She made me a bed on her couch. On the pillow was an eye mask, a bottled water, and her wifi password. I slept until the afternoon. Then I had the first hot shower I have had in months! We went out for lunch at a nearby cafe. I ate a camel burger, drank a camel milk hazelnut latte, and had camel milk ice cream for dessert. Yes. Camel.  After our late lunch, Ellen and I took a walk and made our way to the Dubai Mall. I loved seeing so many people from all ...

I am so thankful to have such a good friend. We have had some good times together these last six months. 

Some of the sights I will miss in Cape Coast, Ghana: Cape Coast beach, between Oasis Beach Resort and the historical slave dungeons.   Oasis Beach Resort in Cape Coast Crowded Sunday Market in Kotokuraba  Kingsway area of Cape Coast

Lately the sun has been fiercer than usual, making me desperate to go swimming! So this past Sunday, Tega and I took a trip to the pool. This is Elmina Bay: