Opening my genetic pandora's box

Last month, I decided to take a DNA test to trace my ancestral roots. It has been on my "I've always want to" list ever since I heard of the company 23andMe on a PBS special sometime ago. On "cyber Monday" the company slashed their prices from $499 to $99.  While most online shoppers were taking advantage on low prices for electronic items, I bought a DNA test. Using a saliva sample, 23andme claim to trace your ancestral roots via one's maternal line, paternal line, ancestral painting, as well as showing your genetic similarity to other groups in the world. This test also detects one's disease risk, carrier status, drug response and traits. I mailed my sample mid December with an expected wait time of 6-8 weeks.

                                                                             

The manual lists ways to produce saliva in case you can't under pressure.  The test tube already had some substance that mixed with the saliva. I mailed off my sample in the self addressed envelope that came with the kit. It included a tracking number so I could make sure it didn't end up in some pervy old man's house.

You may be wondering why I bothered to do this. To put it simply, I don't know much about my family. I know my father's family are Mexican and my mother's family are Salvadorian. Of my four grandparents, I only knew my maternal grandmother. She loved to tell me stories about her childhood memories with her family back in Sonsonate, El Salvador. She wouldn't go in depth about where her mother and father came from. I wasn't sure if she didn't want to talk about it or if she didn't know. Since her passing, I often kick myself for not prying some answers out of her. Now all that I'm left with are a handful of pictures and her birth certificate, which she never showed me while she was living. 

Before I purchased the kit, I was having second thoughts about taking this DNA test. Since I'm a female, only my mitochondrial DNA( my maternal bloodline) could be traced, which really disappointed me. I'm desperately curious about my paternal roots too, however, I would need an uncle or my father to take the test for me. I was starting to think this wouldn't be worth it afterall.  So what changed my mind? My mom told me that my great grandmother (my maternal grandmother's mother) was an orphan.  I made up my mind to take the test even if it only traces half of my past. I hoped to get some answers no matter how vague.

Seven weeks after I sent in my sample I received an email notification that my results had been processed. I logged in and the first screen that popped up was an option to skip my health results. The company understands that some of the findings might disturb some customers. Of course, I clicked and viewed them. I won't share my health results but I will say that learning what I have was absolutely worth taking this test. 

I moved onto to my ancestry results. My heart was pounding a bit and my hands were clammy. I had no idea what to expect. Would it tell me things I already knew or something unexpected?

Ancestry Painting

My racial percentages were broken down right in my face. There I am. 64%, 31%, 5%. I studied history and I'm well aware of the mixtures that occurred, but I still find it insanely fascinating. So why is it split between these three groups? As 23andMe explains, Your Ancestry Painting results should be understood to mean Asia, Africa and Europe before the era of intercontinental travel, about 500 years ago. 

The way my numbers were calculated :

Simply by adding up the lengths of the segments attributed to each population, as displayed, and dividing by the total length. The numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number, so in cases where one region contributes less than 1/2% of the total, "0%" is shown. The grayed-out regions indicate regions of the genome where 23andMe has few markers at present; these regions are not included in the percentage calculations.

The following solidified what I hoped about my great grandmother. There isn't a way to track the precise Native American blood she came from, however, 23andMe narrowed it down a bit in the global similarity section.

Global Similarity

According to 23andme, my maternal bloodline is most similar to the people of South America. This is all incredible to learn and I wish my grandmother was around to share all this with her. Rather than gaining any type of closure, I feel as if I've opened a genetic pandora's box. Now I want to learn so much more about my maternal family. Their stories, their occupations, their struggles, etc. I have no idea how I'm going to approach all of this but maybe in time I'll find some more pieces to this puzzle I'm trying to solve. One thing that's certain: there is no turning back. I can't ignore or forget everything I've learned. I tapped into this wealth of information and now I have to live with it until I can continue searching what I'm looking for.

All of the information discovered by 23andMe is incredibly fascinating and I'm very glad I did it. I definitely recommend this for those that don't know too much about their roots or if you're just curious about your racial percentages.  For any females interested in taking this test, I only recommend this test if you do not have any full blood brothers or a father. If you do have a brother/father, have them take the test as well. It will trace both sides instead of just the maternal side. I do advise to wait for sale prices. I would've been sorely disappointed had I paid $499. The results are a bit too vague for that amount of money. Finally, I also recommend this service for the vital health information that can lead a person to take steps towards disease prevention.

Let the countdown begin!

I received my Habitat for Humanity orientation packet this afternoon and now I can officially start the countdown to Romania! I'll be leaving in about 8 months. Don't worry, I won't be counting the days or weeks. To be completely honest, I never imagined I would be going there.  Even as recent as 5 months ago when I began to research short term volunteer programs.  Romania is a country I wouldn't visit on my own so when the opportunity presented itself, I decided to hop on board.

Last year was a tough one for my family and myself. As I reflected at the end of the year, I realized I still have a good life in spite of the hardships we experienced. This reignited my desire to volunteer abroad, even if it would only be for a short time. Originally, I wanted to go to Morocco and volunteer at an orphanage or a school. This is where my Peace Corps service would have been served back in '07 and the idea of going there for a short term program really excited me. However, two things happened that changed this plan.

The first issue was the program cost. Most volunteer programs are expensive since they are not funded by the government. I learned this as soon as looked into an alternative program when I wasn't able to complete certain things for my Peace Corps clearance. When I resumed my search a couple of months ago, I came across a couple of companies that have volunteer programs in Morocco, but the cost seemed very high for 1 or 2 weeks. Some were close to $3,000, without airfare. I wondered why it was so much. As I reviewed one of the brochures  I noticed something interesting. Volunteer accomodations were at a "Tourist Class Hotel". Wait, what?  I rarely stay at really nice hotels when I travel. I see hotels as storage units. It's a place I can leave my stuff during the day and sleep. Why would I upgrade my style during a volunteer program?

The second thing that led me to abandon operation Morocco was an article I came across on Lonely Planet's website; Responsible Volunteering. Honestly, it never occurred to me that I could be doing more harm than good if I volunteered with children for a short amount of time. Of course, it makes sense now, but I was so excited about the location that I simply didn't think of it. I agree with the article in saying those type of programs are better suited for long term volunteers. Since I'm unable to be a long term volunteer for the time being, I continued my search.

You can imagine how thrilled I was when I came across Habitat for Humanity's global village program. I've always wanted to volunteer with this organization and learning they have a global branch kills two birds with one stone. Aside from being a well recognized name and costing less, this is one of the most direct ways I can help in a short amount of time. I was a little disappointed to learn there isn't an extension in Morocco but that minor detail did not dissuade me from becoming involved with Habitat for Humanity. They have programs all over the world, including countries that are actually on my bucket list. However, I decided I didn't want my personal desire to visit certain places to interfere with the focus of the trip, which is to help others. To read more about the location decision, read my previous blog here. I'm thrilled to be going to Romania, even though it wasn't my first choice. Aside from helping people in a remote region, I'm participating with an organization that believes everyone should have a chance to live with a decent roof over their head. As a big fan of the film, It's a Wonderful Life, Habitat's philosophy is very close to that of George Bailey's Building & Loan. That is a philosphy I am more than happy to align myself with.

If you're interested in learning more about my trip and making a donation, please visit Vasthy's Trip to Romania. Thank you! :)

Traveler or a Tourist?

En Route to Mexico City c.2010

That’s a question many travel enthusiasts ask themselves and until recently, it wasn’t something I’d given much thought to. The more I thought about that question the more I realized  I did have a negative definition of the word “Tourist”. It was a label I didn’t want. For a long time, the image I had of a tourist was this  

 Tourists c.1970 

Duane Hanson

I’ve had my share of so called typical experiences in the states and abroad, and well, I’ve also had my share of “let’s just wing it” experiences in the states and abroad. I’ve come to accept that I’m not one or the other. I’m both, the tourist and the traveler. I don’t judge people for standing next to the leaning tower of Pisa while pretending to hold it up. ( I WILL do this one day too)  I also don’t judge the 45 year old man staying at a youth hostel as he treks his way around the globe after quitting his job. I agree with Robert Louis Steven, “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” ... whether it's literally or via an armchair.

Recently, I read an article that tackles this debate. https://getcurrency.com/blog/tourists-vs-travelers
I believe the writer summed it up perfectly. “...real travelers don’t care what they’re called.”

The World's Most Dangerous Countries

The World's Most Dangerous Countries - Slideshows - Travel + Leisure

I read an article today that lists the world's most dangerous places for travel right now. I was saddened to read that 3 countries I want to visit made it onto to the list; Lebanon, Syria, and Uzbekistan.

You may be thinking,"seriously?"
Yes, seriously.

Beirut, Lebanon and Damascus, Syria are part of my Middle Eastern dream overland trip from Istanbul to Cairo. As for Uzbekistan, that's a late addition to my bucket list. Last year, I was playing the NatGeo challenge on my phone and a picture appeared. I had to guess what country this picture was taken. I guessed Morocco and guessed wrong. The answer was Samarkand, Uzbekistan. I was so smitten by one photograph that I instantly looked up some information on this country. Shortly after, I read an article about the Silk Road and ever since then, this "stan" country made it to my own list.

Does this "dangerous" list alter any of my plans? No, because visiting the mentioned "dream" destinations isn't in my horizon any time soon. However, I couldn't help but notice this is a list compiled by "Travel+Leisure" magazine, a publication that isn't known for trekking off of the well paved road. But for the most part, I agree with the countries listed. Although I am shocked that Mexico didn't make the dangerous list.
 

Films that made me start a travel bucket list

Last week, I came across a compiled a list of movies that made you fall in love with Europe. I haven’t seen all of the movies on the list and of the ones I have seen, I can agree with three; Sound of Music, L'Auberge Espanole & Before Sunrise. For the complete list, visit this link: Movies that made me fall in love with Europe. It’s a great topic and I’ll expand on it by sharing my own worldly picks that made me start a travel bucket list.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – Everywhere!

"I - I - I want a BIG one!"

The story of a man who couldn’t wait to get out and see the world but life kept getting in the way. There’s a reason this movie has remained loved by so many. I suspect the theme of life not turning out the way we expect has something to do with it. I wanted to be a member of the National Geographic Society like young George Bailey. I also swore I was going to " shake the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I'm gonna see the world... " Even though I'm hanging onto that mentality, I don't need to wish I had never been born to appreciate my life and my circle of support. 

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) – Petra, Jordan

"You were named after the DOG??"

This film was and still is my favorite of the trilogy (No, I do not count the 4^th installment as a legitimate film of the series.) “The Last Crusade” was released when I was only 7 years old and my mom thought I was too young to see this film. Recently, I had the privilege to watch this childhood favorite on the big screen at Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. Not only was it incredibly fun to watch this film while other fans cheered and laughed, but the scenery in the film was as close to the real thing that I can get for the time being. Even though Petra has already been  “discovered” and it continues to be swarmed by tourists, I can’t wait to ride through the canyons on horseback and see it for myself.

The Ten Commandments  (1959) – Egypt

" It would take more than a man to lead the slaves from bondage. It would take a god. "

My grandmother was very religious and The Ten Commandments was one of the first movies I remember seeing with her. I attended church with her every weekend until I was about 13.  Oh how she pounded the stories of the Old Testament in my little head. I wasn’t allowed to watch cartoons until I had studied my weekly lesson. As a child, she never showed me any pictures of the region aside from some bad illustrations in my lesson book. Any National Geographic magazines we had were more nature orientated.  I do remember sitting through the whole thing. Maybe I thought Moses was sacrilegiously attractive. The film is a classic of the “backdrop” old Hollywood era and I suddenly wanted to visit the pyramids, Red sea, and Mount Sinai. I wanted to see the real thing and 20+ years later, I still do.

Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) – Tunisia

C3PO: Is there anything I can do? 

Luke: Not unless you can alter time, speed up the harvest or teleport me off this rock. 

Like many, I was a huge fan of the original Star Wars franchise. The first film, Star Wars: A New Hope always has been my favorite of the three “good” films. A little credit will be given to a little girl crush I had on Luke Skywalker. I just enjoyed it more than the other films. Perhaps it was because a few of the places, like Tatooine, looked real. The scene where C3PO and R2D2 are stranded in the sand dunes with the John Williams score playing is one of the most memorable to me. Now, I don’t expect to see a twin sunset, but when I learned where parts of this was filmed, like Death Valley & Tunisia, I wanted to go. I visited Death Valley last year and loved it. Certain parts do make you feel like you're on another planet. As for Tunisia, I wasn’t interested in Tunisian culture. The fan in me just wanted to see where this was filmed. That mentality changed as I got older. I still want to fulfill the Star Wars fan girl in me, but I also want to learn and breathe in the tastes of Tunisia. Last month, I read a great article in Afar Magazine about a travel writer’s visit to Tunisia. The unfortunate news this past week surrounding the civil unrest of the region is saddening not only to its citizens, but to prospective traveler’s as well. Although Tunisia isn’t high on my bucket list, it is on the list. One simply never knows what could happen from one moment to the next. We’ll see if I’ll be able to cross it off my list one day.

Lawrence of Arabia ((1962) – Jordan

"Nothing is written"

I’m embarrassed to admit I just saw this film for the first time last year. It was one of those films I kept putting off simply because of its length. I finally had the chance to see and they sure don't make 'em like that anymore. Not only did I enjoy this film but I visually fell head over heels in love with it. Some of those shots are breathtaking and I can’t imagine how stunning it must be in person. Maybe I’ve romanticized the image in my head a bit. Either way, upon learning the majority of this was shot in Jordan, it only reinforced my childhood dream of visiting Petra and it sparked a new desire to see the rest of the country.

Istanbul to Kathmandu

Over the weekend I was at the Central Library in Downtown Los Angeles in search of a current guide for an opportunity that has come my way. (Details on that to come very soon). As I was browsing,  a title that caught my eye. “Istanbul to Kathmandu”. My first reaction at reading this title was “how old is this book??” I looked inside and read it that it was published in June of 2001, not too long before the world changed dramatically.

It’s a shame. Travel plans and dreams can disappear in a blink of an eye whether those disruptions are natural, political or even economical causes. Hopefully in time, certain restricted places can be visited freely again. 

I’m reminded of the American hikers that were arrested, detained in Iran and accused of espionage. I’m not known to be afraid of traveling to areas that aren’t on the cover of “Travel + Leisure” magazine, but I think one has to be careful how fearlessness is approached and be conscious of where they want to take that fearless attitude. I'm sure there are ways through this route, but I also think there is an obvious reason why the company hasn't released an updated edition. 

I do hope the two remaining men are released soon. However, I suppose the lesson in their story is that an adventurous spirit isn't immune to the dangerous instability of the world. http://freethehikers.org/ 

Beyond the city limits

Since the summer of 2009, I’ve been sharing thoughts and memories about the city of Los Angeles at walkingthroughlosangeles.blogspot.com In addition to that outlet, I have decided to create a space where I can share my non-local thoughts. Trust me, I have plenty of them.

A few things have occurred in the recent weeks that led me to this plan of action. For one, I bought a travel journal. Not an e-journal on an ipad, but a classic journal dedicated to my travels. I have other journals but none of them have any record of my trips. That's something I’ve always regretted, so I finally did something about it in time for the New Year. I bought a $5 black journal at Borders and I immediately began recollecting and writing. My goal is to be caught up before my next big trip. I’m not going to copy my journal onto this site, although I may throw in a memory here and there.

mobile pic

The next spark came from a book that a good friend of mine gave me for Christmas, “100 places every woman should go” by Elizondo Griest. I'll be the first to admit I probably wouldn't have purchased this book on my own. But I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. I devoured this book in about a week. Filled with brief two page summaries of various suggestions serve as a good stepping stone for any countries that may spark a reader's interest. This book cemented countries already on my bucket list, and I was also inspired to think about destinations in regions I hadn’t even given a second thought to. There is a chapter dedicated on visiting one’s motherland. My family didn’t put much emphasis on their cultural roots so it has taken me a Very long time for that curiosity to finally surface. 

So what finally pushed me to click the “add blog” option? I was one of the selected winners to receive “The Travel Book” from Lonely Planet. It’s a thick 400+ page book about every country in the world. The contest was to describe your dream trip. This was my answer.

 My dream trip is to follow the Orient Express route from Paris to Istanbul and then travel overland from Istanbul to Cairo, while capturing images of what I see along the way. It’s the closest I’ll realistically get to having a “Phileas Fogg” experience. After I take that trip, I’ll dream up another one…

I’m not sure if winning a $50 book on1/11/11 is a “sign” of anything, but it's a coincidence of things that don’t happen everyday. I’m definitely open to the idea that it’s a sign of a great year to come.