T-1 Departure

2016: so far so good.

I finally moved down to Los Angeles after living with my parents and brother in a cozy two bedroom apartment in San Francisco. Not that I didn't enjoy staying on the couch for three months, but it's so nice to get out of there and live on my own in LA. Well, almost on my own, I'm sharing a house with five other strangers. But hey, at least everybody gets along. Plus, I live only 10 minutes away from work, I got 99 problems but traffic ain't one (heh).

Ahh, the city of Angels, I know a lot of people have this horrible perception of LA but I have to say I get so much adrenaline just walking around in the sun (and by walking, I mean driving mostly), looking up at palm trees as I'm cruising the streets, and soaking in this amazing vibe of positivity and aspiration all around me. Just having a grand ol' time and keeping myself busy at work.

So just as I'm settling in, GG gives me a call from Amsterdam. Little recap, GG stands for Gel Gogs, short for Angèle Goguely (not that anyone ever called her Gel). Homegirl is finishing up her internship [*round of applause*] at Travel Bird. Being the free bird that she is (pun intended), she decides that her next steps will be to continue her travels before committing to settle down in a work cubicle.

So where is her next destination, you ask? No other than the Land of the Kurds! What do you mean? Kurdistan, that's what.

So why Kurdistan? Mama FloFlo, aka Angele's mother, is residing in the Kurdish province of Iraq. 

But wait, best part in all of this...GG asks me to come on board. My response: all aboard! With my ride or die partner in crime, I'm off to Iraq on the biggest adventure of my life. I can't believe it. I'm leaving tomorrow and I could not be holding in a bigger batch of mixed emotions: anxiety yet excitement, and fear yet overload of joy. I'm a mess, but I am so ready for this!! 

Stay tuned for the ultimate reunion......... 

Next time on Marie in the Land of the Kurds: Marie takes the plane...to Kurdistan...and stops in Qatar...for a 20hour layover...fun times!