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An introduction

Any time I tried to start a diary, I would immediately relinquish all the vital details of my current life.

"Dear Diary, my name is Sophie Wallerstedt. I am 11 years old and in the fifth grade. I live in Louisburg, KS with my mom and dad, my sister Jane and my brother Max, and five cats, a dog..."

I never got very far. I ended up boring myself with my own mundane details, and as a result I have multiple journals tucked away in various boxes and bookcases, only the first few pages used.

But blogs could be different, right?

This trip is going to be long, and I want to keep track of it, but I'm horrible with writing things down long term (unless it's MyFitnessPal- I have 2014 in my back pocket).

So every time I told someone about my big trip, I also said, "you can follow me on my blog!" The more I said it, the more I believed it.

Accountability, friends. That's what you're here for. Hopefully you'll also be entertained.

Here's the skinny: last year I became fairly obsessed with food and cooking. In June, I had the realization that I wasn't tied to much (my job was ending in November) and didn't want to wake up twenty years later and regret that I didn't make more of my time as an un-tethered twenty something. I should go to Europe and explore the food! I should go WWOOFing!

Almost a year later, my plans are modified, but the general premise is still there: go abroad. experience new things. especially food. 

I fly out of Minneapolis on June 28th and will spend July and August as a counselor at American Village, a network of English immersion camps scattered across France.

In September, I plan to go to Italy to WWOOF, or work on an organic farm in exchange for room and board. I haven't found my location yet (on my immediate to-do list), but I am looking for a place that emphasizes cooking, so I can continue practicing my culinary skills and discover new dishes.

My last day in Europe- Budapest, Hungary- Sept 2013
October, November, and December will be spent outside the Schengen Area, since I'm legally required to leave the area after 90 days, for at least 90 days. I'm not sure yet where I'll go, but on my list is Croatia, Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria. After those three months, I think I'll head back into Western Europe, but I'm leaving it up in the air for a while.

That's it for now, but I hope to update further as I make more plans, buy more things, and feel more secure in my decision to leave the country and go on this slightly intimidating solo adventure.

Sophie

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