Welcome to the Jungle

Chapter 25: Small World

Kara and Mike decided to spend every last second they had to be together, doing anything they ever wanted. After the gloomy conversations on that night and spending some days in sorrow, Mike had proposed a way for them to have it a little easier and make the most of their time. Kara knew it was as hard for him as it was for her and she readily agreed to it.

With CatCo's huge success thanks to Kara's Valor story, convincing her bosses to give her permission and funding for a new story was considerably easy. Especially since their new star, Mike Matthews, was involved. They knew the readers would go bonkers over him. Kara was going to write her next article about the wonders of the ancient world, under the name "Around the World in 80 days". Kara and Mike were going to see the world together.

They packed their bags with their passports and in the matter of a week, they were on a plane headed to their first destination, Africa. Mike had some professional experience in photographing since he had worked part-time in the university publication during his time at college, and acted as the photographer while Kara took notes of all they saw. Mike had also taken over of Kara's injections and with Eliza's foresight, they had made a safe cold pack of her medicine capsules which Mike would give them to Kara weekly on the schedule while they were on travel.

Kara crossed the Sahara on a camel's back with Mike under the starry night sky and he used every chance to tell cheesy things or compare her eyes to the stars. She visited the Great Pyramids of Giza for the first time, rowed across the Nile River and danced by the fire with Mike and other villagers the one marvelous night they were staying in a village in Ethiopia.

Their next destination was Greece. They roamed Athens for a few days, capturing every bit of its numerous magnificent monuments they possibly could. Acropolis, the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon to name a few. They tried so many Greek foods along the trip. Kara, in particular, loved the taste of original Feta cheese. Having the best of time in the ancient land with its loud and live people, Kara and Mike gladly extended their stay to see a few of the gorgeous islands of Greece. Dilos the birthing place of Apollo, filled with ancient sites that took their breath away and last but not least, the island of Crete. Kara couldn't believe all the wonders and beauty this place had been preserving for eons, surrounded by the dazzling Aegean Sea. It was surreal. Long walks on the beach, sunbathing and Kara's favorite, restaurants open until late at night - with Mike by her side - this journey had turned into a honeymoon.

India was their next target. Taj Mahal, Mysore Palace, and Sanchi Stupa, the big diverse country had too much to offer. From the food, the exotic sights, and live vibrating culture. It was a shame they didn't have enough time to explore it as it deserved.

The exploring duo visited Peru next, took too many selfies with an adorable grumpy Llama - who Kara immediately had decided to name Kuzco after the Disney's spoiled Prince - and climbed all the way to Machu Picchu, the Inca Citadel, on thanksgiving.

They continued north to Mexico to see Chichen Itza, the forsaken Mayan city and returned to the states and back to National City just in time so Mike could retrieve the last Serum bottle from Rhea and rested a few days until Eliza could make the new set of shots.

They resumed their expedition with their next destination being China and Japan because Kara was always fascinated by the cultures. They spend two whole weeks absorbing everything they could from those lands.

Their last part of the journey was approaching fast and Kara was insistent to cover more of Europe, more specifically London and Rome, before their final stop in Paris on day 76 of their trip.

***

The narrow winding passage revealed itself to them as a perfect frame of impressionism work of art. Mellow, Blurry, filled with colors that had been woven together smoothly and waving as though in motion. Here in the heart of Paris, one could get a glimpse into the mind of an artist. It was a magical feeling.