I ' V E B E E N M E A N I N G T O T E L L Y O U

In my mind I have a completely romanticized idea of what it would be like to someday live on the outskirts, surrounded only by nature. I imagine a quiet home, with a garden full of vegetables and fruit trees. Perhaps a few animals, too. A cow and goat for milk, cream and cheese, a few sheep for wool, chickens for eggs, and a dog for snuggles and playing catch. I would bake fresh pies and make bread almost daily. I would make art and take photos, maybe even have my own dark room. My home would still be close enough to the city that I wouldn't fall out of touch with reality, and could still enjoy the hustle and bustle when I wanted to. Of course this all sounds perfectly dreamy, but I also know that I can't really say that this is something I want when I've never tried it before. Which brings me to the big news that I've kept secret for a little while now.

Last week, I bought a one-way ticket to Spain. My sister and I will be leaving New York City together on March 1st, arriving in Madrid the next day. We are going to travel for five to six months through Spain, France, Italy, Germany and Austria - possibly a few other countries as well. In each place we will be working on farms (have you heard of WWOOF?) in exchange for food and shelter, helping with whatever needs tending to. In most places we will help in the gardens, but at one place in particular we will assist the owner of a bed & breakfast in the French Pyrenees with preparing baked goods for the local markets (!). In the South of France, a friend of ours has a cousin who is a chef and runs her own farm, so we will help with farming and hopefully lend our hands in the kitchen, too. In Italy, we may help friends of a friend start up a montessori school. One major highlight of the trip will be our good friend's wedding, which will be at the beginning of July, probably in Austria. Viki, the bride, is from Germany. Her family lives near Munich, so we plan to stay with her mother for a while before to help with wedding preparations and such.

Those are just a few examples of the many opportunities that have popped up for us. There's much more to be be decided still, and many details need to be sorted out - but we definitely have a plan and the will to make it all happen. I couldn't be more excited. Although, I'm having a hard time believing that this is going to be my reality in a few months, only because it all seems too good to be true. I am really looking forward to what will be a completely enriching and educational adventure!


All imagess from the LIFE Photo Archive.