It has been eight months since I last wrote. Getting the motivation to do so is somewhat challenging since I have been trying to figure out what I exactly want now that my plans have changed and I am a solo traveler. The Trans-Siberian Railway is mostly out of the picture, although St. Petersburg and Moscow are not!
After a long summer at Girl Scout camp, I realized a decision needed to be made. I could oooo and ahhh at the infinite number of routes, contemplate if trains were better than planes, if tickets were cheaper now, or in two months. So I became a member of WWOOF Ireland http://www.wwoof.ie/ made myself a profile, and purchased a one way $230 ticket to Dublin for the 8th of February. The date seemed as good as any, and exceptionally cheap!
School has been winding up and down for the past few weeks, and ends on the 22nd of December. One month. I had my BFA student exhibition, sold a print, received an A-, and couldn't be happier. I have two papers and three more prints to complete, and then I am home free.... after five and a half years. Whew....
No gear has been purchased, as I am not near an outdoor store; it would take a few hours (including shopping) round trip with the city buses. Since all my friends with cars are in school, or really busy, asking them is pretty much out of the question... especially since I want to take my time. This will be done over December-January break.
To be frank, I have been fairly unenthusiastic about my upcoming travels. I miss sharing discoveries, and not being able to share my excitement with someone else has become somewhat claustrophobic. Its been fun reading about the places I will go, but its too internalizing with no one else to bounce ideas off of. Speaking about this trip with international friends has been more reassuring, but the constant reminder about graduating, "being done," and "upcoming travels" has grown annoying. Looking at possible couchsurfing hosts (www.couchsurfing.com) has brightened my spirits, but I can't help but think to myself: "What if I get tired on a train in Croatia, but can't fall asleep because there is a dodgy looking person behind me? What if I become exhausted, lost, frustrated, and can't bring myself to my senses?" I suppose I will cross those bridges when I come to them. Everything usually works itself out in some way or another.
Everyday I see the map on my wall, and know its true, that I will be out there soon enough. I am most anxious to get to Italy... to feel the cobblestones under my feet, drink fantastic wine, sit under the Tuscan sky, and catch up with old friends. I left my heart there three years ago, and frankly, one can never go wrong with Italia.
The journey will begin in Ireland on the 8th of February, from there I will continue to France---- I will then break to Italy via Moscow or Brussels via Italy.
The issue I have on hand is this: As an American traveler I am allowed up to 90 days visa free (three months) TOTAL in the EU, and since my travels are longer than three months, I don't really know what to do. Some people have been telling me that it's not a huge deal, and I may only get a slap on the wrist when I return home if I exceed my 90 day allocated time. Some also said to be aware of specific countries, like Germany, who tend to strictly follow this rule, and that when I exit, I should do so out of Italy, where its more relaxed. Any ideas? I need to do more research.
Anyway, I hope to post a map of my tentative destinations very soon!
The image at the top of the page is one of the possible farms I will be WWOOFing at while in Ireland; her profile message states:
"I am an artist/sculptor/gardener,(a female Charlie!) living in a warm, self built timber home, halfway up a small mountain in an extremely peaceful,meditative setting.I have an extensive organic flower and shrub garden with many unusual plants, and a polytunnel,and I'm developing an "edible forest" woodland on permaculture principles. Work is varied, depending on season and need, from tree planting,land clearing, weeding,making preserves and chutneys,making compost,shredding brambles....and lots more...Opportunities for artistic pursuits abound. Woofers would also have lots of free time to explore this strikingly beautiful area of Eire. I am currently involved in Transition Town training, to develop local resilience,community and co-sufficiency for Post Oil times."
