I've got my visa, I'm packed, and I'm ready to go!!!
Next time I write, I'll be in Athens :)
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
2 days
I leave on Thursday. I've made my final trips to Target and REI... I figure I have to spend money now so I don't have to spend it later.
I spent three hours in the waiting room of the Greek Embassy yesterday surrounded by very frustrated Greeks. The waiting room there is always so hot and I always forget to bring something to do. So I just listen to everyone else's conversations to pass the time. When you only understand every 10th word or so, it makes their conversation way more interesting.
I'm pretty sure I'll have to change my plans and won't be able to continue right to Italy, Spain, and Portugal after 4 months in Greece. Schengen visas are very confusing and the woman I've been working with at the Embassy doesn't really seem to know what the rules are. Comforting, I know. I picture myself in four months, after spending 70 bucks and two days on a ferry from Athens, stuck in customs. They'll tell me I'll have to go back. I'll cry. They won't be impressed with my cute little American tears and I'll probably end up somewhere I never planned on going.
I'm nervous about the trip. I get really excited about spending four months in Greece, spending time in places I've never been, and learning about organic farming, but when I think about spending the next year traveling by myself, it's a bit overwhelming. I'll feel better after I know for sure if I'll have to change my current plans. I didn't hear from the Embassy today, so I'm counting on getting everything settled tomorrow.
I spent three hours in the waiting room of the Greek Embassy yesterday surrounded by very frustrated Greeks. The waiting room there is always so hot and I always forget to bring something to do. So I just listen to everyone else's conversations to pass the time. When you only understand every 10th word or so, it makes their conversation way more interesting.
I'm pretty sure I'll have to change my plans and won't be able to continue right to Italy, Spain, and Portugal after 4 months in Greece. Schengen visas are very confusing and the woman I've been working with at the Embassy doesn't really seem to know what the rules are. Comforting, I know. I picture myself in four months, after spending 70 bucks and two days on a ferry from Athens, stuck in customs. They'll tell me I'll have to go back. I'll cry. They won't be impressed with my cute little American tears and I'll probably end up somewhere I never planned on going.
I'm nervous about the trip. I get really excited about spending four months in Greece, spending time in places I've never been, and learning about organic farming, but when I think about spending the next year traveling by myself, it's a bit overwhelming. I'll feel better after I know for sure if I'll have to change my current plans. I didn't hear from the Embassy today, so I'm counting on getting everything settled tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
some background on wwoof
From their website, www.wwoofinternational.org or www.wwoof.org
"WWOOF is an exchange network operating in many countries where accommodation, meals and learning are given in return for help to hosts. A WWOOF host invites people to come to their place to work usually about 4 to 6 hours a day in return for their daily food, boarding and the experience of sharing daily life with the people who live and work at the host. Stays of varying lengths are possible.
WWOOF began in the early 1970s in the UK, when a woman named Sue Coppard began the first WWOOF group. A few years after getting WWOOFing in the UK established, Sue travelled around the world spreading the idea. Now there are many WWOOF groups all over the world.
Each WWOOF group is a separate and independent organisation. There is no head office of WWOOFing in the world. Click on the menu item to the left "Groups Worldwide" to find the WWOOF group in the country you are going to
The acronym "WWOOF" origionally stood for Working Weekends On Organic Farms. These days some call it Willing Workers On Organic Farms or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Organic farming is the primary activity hosts do, however there a sometimes variations of this. In an effort to provide access to a greater diversity of experience, where it could be possible to learn and experience what might be called an organic lifestyle was recognised and in response some WWOOF groups have hosts that are for example, places like health and healing centers, pottery and arts, building and restoring buildings, organic restaruants, dealing with animals, eco villages, brewing and production of foods, nature guide centre, centers for the environment. To find out what kind of hosts the WWOOF group in the country you are going to has, check their website and write to the coordinator of that group to ask them.
Autonomous WWOOF groups operate in different countries, all of whom have their own ways of organisation. Fees for membership are about the same, ranging from about 20 US dollars to $50 US dollars for a one year membership, access to the list of hosts, sometimes a newsletter at certain intervals. Some offer discount fees for two people WWOOFing together, some don't. The same with insurance, some memberships include it, and some don't.
WWOOF groups around the world are recognised for the role they play for organic growers, tourism, and importantly the vehicle it is for people to travel and learn. "
"WWOOF is an exchange network operating in many countries where accommodation, meals and learning are given in return for help to hosts. A WWOOF host invites people to come to their place to work usually about 4 to 6 hours a day in return for their daily food, boarding and the experience of sharing daily life with the people who live and work at the host. Stays of varying lengths are possible.
WWOOF began in the early 1970s in the UK, when a woman named Sue Coppard began the first WWOOF group. A few years after getting WWOOFing in the UK established, Sue travelled around the world spreading the idea. Now there are many WWOOF groups all over the world.
Each WWOOF group is a separate and independent organisation. There is no head office of WWOOFing in the world. Click on the menu item to the left "Groups Worldwide" to find the WWOOF group in the country you are going to
The acronym "WWOOF" origionally stood for Working Weekends On Organic Farms. These days some call it Willing Workers On Organic Farms or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Organic farming is the primary activity hosts do, however there a sometimes variations of this. In an effort to provide access to a greater diversity of experience, where it could be possible to learn and experience what might be called an organic lifestyle was recognised and in response some WWOOF groups have hosts that are for example, places like health and healing centers, pottery and arts, building and restoring buildings, organic restaruants, dealing with animals, eco villages, brewing and production of foods, nature guide centre, centers for the environment. To find out what kind of hosts the WWOOF group in the country you are going to has, check their website and write to the coordinator of that group to ask them.
Autonomous WWOOF groups operate in different countries, all of whom have their own ways of organisation. Fees for membership are about the same, ranging from about 20 US dollars to $50 US dollars for a one year membership, access to the list of hosts, sometimes a newsletter at certain intervals. Some offer discount fees for two people WWOOFing together, some don't. The same with insurance, some memberships include it, and some don't.
WWOOF groups around the world are recognised for the role they play for organic growers, tourism, and importantly the vehicle it is for people to travel and learn. "
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
10 days
I've been so busy with finishing school and planning end of year events that this trip has really snuck up on me. I didn't even have time to really think about what graduating college meant until I was driving to my parents for the pre-ceremony party. I shook of a minor panic attack and wrote my dad's father's day card instead.
So now I have 10 days to pack and move out of my apartment, finish some things I promised to do at work, run around and collect the paperwork I need to submit for my visa...
Then there is the tough task of packing everything I think I'll need for a year-long adventure.
And of course spending time with the people I won't see for a year.
So now I have 10 days to pack and move out of my apartment, finish some things I promised to do at work, run around and collect the paperwork I need to submit for my visa...
Then there is the tough task of packing everything I think I'll need for a year-long adventure.
And of course spending time with the people I won't see for a year.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
stress due to procrastination
Getting my visa should have been the FIRST thing I did to plan this trip. Should have been something I did BEFORE starting this blog.
Why wasn't it the first thing I did?
Why didn't I get it before I started this blog?
Why wasn't it the first thing I did?
Why didn't I get it before I started this blog?
Sunday, June 10, 2007
soft dogs, chunky chickens, and lucky ducks
There are lots of wwoof farms in Spain. I picked out a few that stuck out at me and sent them an email. I used my very, very sad Spanish... well I used my sad Spanish to write one sentence and the rest I wrote in English:
Estimada Rachel and Paul!
Soy un miembro e la WWOOF y me gustaria trabajar como voluntaria en vuestra finca del 29 Octobre al 15 Novembre. Hablo un poco Espanol...but my English is better!
This second bit is part of the email I have included in all of my emails to farm owners:
Here's a little bit about myself:
I am a 23 year old American woman graduating from University with a degree in Anthropology on June 17. I love archaeology, anthropology, and learning about food production. I am the sister of two brothers and two sisters, and an aunt to six nieces and nephews. I'm very interested in learning as much as I can about the organic farming movement (daily organic practices as well as long term strategies) as well as the social movement that has come along with it. I hope to make some great, like-minded friends while learning how to be a better citizen of the world! I'm very outgoing, love to be outside (obviously!), love to cook, work hard, and make lasting memories. I have studied in Morocco, Greece, and France. I can speak French, conversational Greek, and a bit of Spanish and Moroccan Arabic.
My WWOOF Independents ID USA*****/**** and it is valid until June, 2008.
Let me know if I can join you!
The first reply I received was from "Casa Manos." I'll be on their farm from October 29 - November 15th.
Casa Manos is in Grenada. Here is the blurb they wrote about their farm:
LOCATION : 2km to nearest village / 4 km to town
4km from Orgiva,in the beautiful Alpujarras. 1ha olive, almond and citrus terraces.Olive harvest from Dec to Feb. Spring and Autumn vegetable planting.Summer watering. Also irrigation channel repairs,land maintenance,creation of gardens and vegetable plots,on-going building from recycled materials,dry stone walling and all-round loving attention to our tranquil space. Family unit with lively young girl, soft dog, chunky chickens and lucky ducks. Walks in the fresh Alpujarran air, wild sierra surroundings and nearby river,solar power,kinesiology and massage, food to write home about. Accommodation: self-contained house or caravan. We enjoy family orientated wwoofers,up for varied work and quality free time. You must be physically fit and adaptable. Bring own torch and suitable footwear.
Guess which part was my favorite.
Estimada Rachel and Paul!
Soy un miembro e la WWOOF y me gustaria trabajar como voluntaria en vuestra finca del 29 Octobre al 15 Novembre. Hablo un poco Espanol...but my English is better!
This second bit is part of the email I have included in all of my emails to farm owners:
Here's a little bit about myself:
I am a 23 year old American woman graduating from University with a degree in Anthropology on June 17. I love archaeology, anthropology, and learning about food production. I am the sister of two brothers and two sisters, and an aunt to six nieces and nephews. I'm very interested in learning as much as I can about the organic farming movement (daily organic practices as well as long term strategies) as well as the social movement that has come along with it. I hope to make some great, like-minded friends while learning how to be a better citizen of the world! I'm very outgoing, love to be outside (obviously!), love to cook, work hard, and make lasting memories. I have studied in Morocco, Greece, and France. I can speak French, conversational Greek, and a bit of Spanish and Moroccan Arabic.
My WWOOF Independents ID USA*****/**** and it is valid until June, 2008.
Let me know if I can join you!
The first reply I received was from "Casa Manos." I'll be on their farm from October 29 - November 15th.
Casa Manos is in Grenada. Here is the blurb they wrote about their farm:
LOCATION : 2km to nearest village / 4 km to town
4km from Orgiva,in the beautiful Alpujarras. 1ha olive, almond and citrus terraces.Olive harvest from Dec to Feb. Spring and Autumn vegetable planting.Summer watering. Also irrigation channel repairs,land maintenance,creation of gardens and vegetable plots,on-going building from recycled materials,dry stone walling and all-round loving attention to our tranquil space. Family unit with lively young girl, soft dog, chunky chickens and lucky ducks. Walks in the fresh Alpujarran air, wild sierra surroundings and nearby river,solar power,kinesiology and massage, food to write home about. Accommodation: self-contained house or caravan. We enjoy family orientated wwoofers,up for varied work and quality free time. You must be physically fit and adaptable. Bring own torch and suitable footwear.
Guess which part was my favorite.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Making Plans
So I've made some plans... starting with my one-way ticket to Athens. My mom asked me (more than once) if I wasn't telling her something. If I had made some crazy plans that I'm afraid to tell her or if I never plan on returning. God knows that if I could find a way to live in Greece and still do all the things I'd like to do, I would.
But moving away isn't my intention. In fact, the main reason why I've planned an adventure like this is because I can't picture myself moving anywhere. I can't picture myself staying in one place and making it a home. So, I'm going to travel for a year.
But how do I make a trip more substantial? How do I make it something other than the cliche backpacking-around-Europe-after-I graduate-from-college trip? Well, the first step is to write about it. The next step is to make it into some sort of research.
After studying abroad in Athens in 2005, one of my friends, Kasha, stayed to work on an organic fig farm for a few weeks. She had a wonderful time and ever since then, I've been waiting for a time for me to do the same...and that time is in 25 days.
WWOOF is an organization that joins organic farmers with volunteers. After paying a $30 membership fee, I was given access to information about all the organic farms that have listed with WWOOF Independents. From there, I contacted farms in Greece, Spain, and Portugal, and planned the first six months of my trip!
Here are my plans so far:
June 28: Depart from O'Hare
June 29: Arrive in Athens, check into hostel
July 1: Take ferry to Paros, arrive at first farm!
The first farm I'll be working at is owned by a man named Jim. Jim's farm caught my eye over a year ago when I started thinking seriously about volunteering on farms in Greece. Here is the short blurb Jim included in his WWOOF farm info posting:
"Midway through building center for creative arts study and retreat on Aegean Island. Help on five acre farm land according to principles of dryland reclamation. Establishing: water systems, windbreaks, composting, organic gardens. Building help also needed: stone laying, woodwork, etc. Greek winter is generally mild and good for outdoor work. Comfortable accomodation. Good food; veg or non-veg; good walking country. Guitar playing not essential, but welcome. Collect from boat upon arrival."
Every time I read Jim's posting, I would smile at the guitar playing part. It's only fitting that his is the first farm I will visit on my trip.
If everything goes as planned, I will be staying on Jim's farm until July 23. The next farm I have to be on is in Northern Greece on August 15. I'm planing on going back to Crete for those weeks to visit my friends from the archaeological dig I worked on last summer. I'm so excited to see them all again!
My plans after that:
September 10-October 12: Pilion center in Northern Greece
October 15- November 15: Still waiting on farms in Italy/Spain
November 18 - December 12: Pure Portugal!
December 13?: Still up in the air, but hoping to skip down to Morocco to visit a professor at the end of a study abroad trip.
December 15 or so: Fly to London, travel to farm in Wirral.
That's all I've got for now. I'm still trying to figure out visa information, health insurance, and how exactly I'll get from farm to farm. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and think I'm crazy... think that I won't be able to do this all by myself.
But then I get over it.
But moving away isn't my intention. In fact, the main reason why I've planned an adventure like this is because I can't picture myself moving anywhere. I can't picture myself staying in one place and making it a home. So, I'm going to travel for a year.
But how do I make a trip more substantial? How do I make it something other than the cliche backpacking-around-Europe-after-I graduate-from-college trip? Well, the first step is to write about it. The next step is to make it into some sort of research.
After studying abroad in Athens in 2005, one of my friends, Kasha, stayed to work on an organic fig farm for a few weeks. She had a wonderful time and ever since then, I've been waiting for a time for me to do the same...and that time is in 25 days.
WWOOF is an organization that joins organic farmers with volunteers. After paying a $30 membership fee, I was given access to information about all the organic farms that have listed with WWOOF Independents. From there, I contacted farms in Greece, Spain, and Portugal, and planned the first six months of my trip!
Here are my plans so far:
June 28: Depart from O'Hare
June 29: Arrive in Athens, check into hostel
July 1: Take ferry to Paros, arrive at first farm!
The first farm I'll be working at is owned by a man named Jim. Jim's farm caught my eye over a year ago when I started thinking seriously about volunteering on farms in Greece. Here is the short blurb Jim included in his WWOOF farm info posting:
"Midway through building center for creative arts study and retreat on Aegean Island. Help on five acre farm land according to principles of dryland reclamation. Establishing: water systems, windbreaks, composting, organic gardens. Building help also needed: stone laying, woodwork, etc. Greek winter is generally mild and good for outdoor work. Comfortable accomodation. Good food; veg or non-veg; good walking country. Guitar playing not essential, but welcome. Collect from boat upon arrival."
Every time I read Jim's posting, I would smile at the guitar playing part. It's only fitting that his is the first farm I will visit on my trip.
If everything goes as planned, I will be staying on Jim's farm until July 23. The next farm I have to be on is in Northern Greece on August 15. I'm planing on going back to Crete for those weeks to visit my friends from the archaeological dig I worked on last summer. I'm so excited to see them all again!
My plans after that:
September 10-October 12: Pilion center in Northern Greece
October 15- November 15: Still waiting on farms in Italy/Spain
November 18 - December 12: Pure Portugal!
December 13?: Still up in the air, but hoping to skip down to Morocco to visit a professor at the end of a study abroad trip.
December 15 or so: Fly to London, travel to farm in Wirral.
That's all I've got for now. I'm still trying to figure out visa information, health insurance, and how exactly I'll get from farm to farm. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and think I'm crazy... think that I won't be able to do this all by myself.
But then I get over it.
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