25 Nov The elephant in the room

I am not sure my timing could’ve been any worse.  Less than two weeks after departure for my round-the-world trip global chaos has exploded. The worlds scene has become one of looming war, terrorism, and insecurity.

I sold my house, my car, and quit my job to follow this dream, now the foundation of global allies and axises has been trembling for several weeks and the pressure cooker it sits on is on the verge of explosion.

Two days ago the US Department of State issued a global travel warning valid for the next three months.  It doesn’t say to not travel, but to be vigilant, stay away from crowded areas, and have heightened personal awareness about security.

In 2011 while living in Munich I vividly remember watching scenes of the Arab spring on CNN international on our kitchen TV.  I felt pride watching oppressed individuals overthrow their archaic goverments and entering the world with more personal freedoms.

I didn’t know then that four years later, I would be blogging from a cafe in Turkey about an impending world war stemming from this victorious time in history.

I am overcome with grief, I can feel tears ready to stream down my face not only for my own self having started my journey just days before global crisis, but also for terror the entire world has face.

So what I am going to do in light of recent geopolitical escalations?

First, I have decided that regardless of some of the fear I am and have been feeling, I am determined to not be personally terrorized and I will continue to travel as long as I feel safe.

Second, I have started avoiding crowded areas, been back to my hotels by dark, and have tried not to make myself a target by speaking English loudly or waltzing around Turkey with my blonde hair flowing in the wind.  I have been keeping my head covered to avoid concerns of my nationality.  I don’t want to turn into a pawn as an abducted traveler.

Third, I am registering each of my locations with the Department of State via their STEP program.  I’ve only ever used this service once when I was traveling to Israel, Palestine, and Jordan.  Now considering that a vast majority of the world is at risk, I will ensure registration every step of the way.

Lastly, I will be amending travel plans as necessary.  Unfortunately, the day I arrived in Cappadocia, Russia and Turkey had a snafu regarding the downing of a Russian jet in Turkish airspace.  Russia and Turkey want different things in Syria – Russia aims to keep the Assad regime in place, and Turkey want to oust him.  NATO is calling an emergency meeting to address this conflict but this does little to curb my fear that Turkey will pay for this misstep.

I am cutting my trip in Turkey short by one week.  I am skipping Izmir, and Ephesus and leaving this Friday November 27th to go back to Frankfurt to wait for my flight to Namibia.

Sitting in the quiet, isolated town of Cappadocia it’s hard to believe this country is bordering Syria, and the epicenter of the worlds biggest seam waiting to burst since WWII.