I am writing this post—my last one—from the Sleep Inn in
Houston. Although the location isn't deliberate, the timing is. I decided after
my last post that I wouldn't post again until I was out of the country. It
seemed to me that I didn't want to spend my last week documenting everything. (Don’t
worry however, I did physically write thoughts down in my journal as I have
been doing this entire time.) I instead wanted to live it, experience it to the
fullest. That is what I did and what I will now chronicle as I bring my blog
and my 2014 World Food Prize Borlaug-Ruan International Internship to a close.
Work wise, I continued to wash and count nematodes, prep experiments
and help Elfinesh who is studying the morphology of Fusarium fungus and multiplying
fungus on wheat bran. I will add now that whenever she does this I have gotten
into the habit of smelling the fungus/wheat bran mix once the threat of
contamination has passed. I mention this because Elfinesh and I discovered that
different strains have unique smells. You could have Fusarium culmorum 23 smell
like hot apple cider (which it did) and then have Fusaium culmorum 2 smell like
rotting cabbage (which it also did). Now whenever she starts opening the bags I
come over and scientifically waft the smell and give her a report. None of this
is being studied or recorded for scientific publishing. We simply found it
interesting and fun.
Some of you may or may not know that my birthday was August
8th. I will preface this story with one from last year. In 2013 the
Iowa Aquitards, the Envirothon team that I was on from Marshalltown, went to
the North American Competition in Bozeman, Montana. We were gone for two weeks
camping, hiking, site-seeing, studying, competing and testing across the great
West. While we were out there I spent my 18th birthday locked in
room with my four teammates for eight hours as we prepped our 20 minute
presentation on responsible grazing practices. True Fact: When Lil Jon asks “Turn
down for what?” the only response he accepts in “responsible grazing practices.”
We kicked butt at the oral completion and ended up placing 11th
overall out of the 54 teams. I mention this because that was an amazing
birthday. I got to spend it with friends and the always wonderful Super Sue (my
ELP Adviser). I got a big foam cowboy hat and smoked cigars with some really
cool people from Ohio. All in all it was great and set the bar high for
birthdays to come.
So, what does this have to do with my internship this year? Well
this year comes in at a very close, and respectable if I might add, second. I
woke up that morning listening to “It’s My Birthday” by Will.i.am and Cody
Wise. I thought it very appropriate. I went into work where I prepped some
filters for soil and root samples and listened to some Spotify, NPR and Elvis
Duran and the Morning Show. It sounds like a rager right? Well, around the 3
p.m tea time Gul came in and started talking Turkish to everyone. I didn't pay
much attention because that is her job. I was talking with Dr. Zafer from
another department about my leaving soon when Omer grabbed me by the arm and
walked me to the break room where once inside I saw two beautiful cakes along
with everyone who works in the lab. Elfinesh lead the group in around of “Happy
Birthday” in Turkish as I and Omer blew out the candles. I should mention at
this point that Omer’s birthday was the very next day so this was a duel
celebration. Sevil and Gul handed out the pieces of cake which were oh so good
as Elfinesh took some pictures of the group (see below). I personally didn't take any pictures because my phone was dead from listening to the radio all
morning and afternoon. I was pretty surprised and very thankful for everyone
involved. I would like to add that the cafeteria served lamb kabobs with
couscous for lunch. I firmly believe someone tipped them off that it was my
birthday. That night Elfinesh, Cui and I made the famous lentil soup and
pancakes from scratch. I have to say, my second birthday away from home was
very nice all thanks to the caring friends and coworkers at CIMMYT.
As I look back now with the physical and mental distance, I
have to say I’ve changed. I’m not the same person that got on the plane back in
June. The discussions and conversations I’ve had over the past two months have
been life altering. I grew in tremendous ways from the talks I had with many
different people whether it was about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and the
need for a “green (agriculture) war” instead of physical violent wars with
Amer, Ethiopian culture and the Orthodox religion with Elfinesh, or the crisis
in Syria along with life lessons from Fateh. I learned about plant pathology
and soil borne pathogens along with learning about myself. I learned that I can
be independent in a foreign country. I wrote the following passage in my
journal on the 2nd of August: “I rather like being a foreigner. I wonder where
I’ll end up? There are little things more freeing than being in alone in a
foreign country. Everything you do screams INDEPENDENCE!”
I sit here now at the Sleep Inn in Houston and prepare for
my final flight home and all I can think about is where I’ll end up next.
I want to thank the many people who have been there for me
and helped me along the way throughout this journey.
The World Food Prize Foundation and its staff especially Lisa
Fleming and Amb. Kenneth Quinn for their hard work organizing and dealing with
the logistics of sending 23 interns to several different countries. The WFP
does an outstanding job and provides an amazing experience to America’s youth.
I am very grateful to them. I would also like to thank John Ruan III for
providing the funding to make this internship a reality.
My supervisors Dr. Amer Dababat and Gul Erginbas for
teaching me so much about plant pathology, culture and life. These two always
looked out for me and asking “Adam, do you need anything? If so, just let us
know.” I will miss them both and hope to see them in Des Moines for an upcoming
World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue.
Elfinesh for a lot of things at once. A supervisor, a
coworker, a chef, a mother, a friend and the list goes on. Elfinesh always
looked out for me and was very valuable while shopping and communicating thanks
to her excellent linguistic abilities (she knows four languages fluently
including Turkish and English). I would wish her the best of luck but I know
she doesn’t need it. Elfinesh is smart and driven and will accomplish anything
and everything she puts her mind to.
The CIMMYT staff especially Sevil hanim and Omer. Both of
these individuals helped me whenever I got that confused look on my face while
working.
My family for always being supportive. I can’t express
enough how behind every independent and free spirited person is a supportive foundation.
My family, especially my brother, bring light, humor and great perspective to
my decisions and feelings. (Don’t get a big head Riley. You can be cut at any
time.)
My friends for simply talking (or Snapchatting) me. As I
said before, sometimes the simple messages and pictures can mean the world when
your half a world away.
So that’s it, my last post on my 2014 WFP BRI Internship in
Turkey. I am now home with my family and look forward to Iowa State in just a
few days!
