Farm Girl: My Life as an Agro-Tourist

Bajardo

2007-09-01T11:49:00.001+02:00

Hi everyone,

I am sorry I havent been in contact with any of you since I arrived in Italy. we dont have a computer up in the village! the village we are living in and restoring houses in, is about 45 minutes by bus up from San Remo. You can look on a map of where it is. Its about 30 minutes from Nice, France and Monaco. I cant explain how perfect this town is. Bajardo (pronounced By-ardo) is made up of a maze of stone walkways with houses lining and joining each other. I cant describe the way it looks besides just pure perfection.

Arrigo is the man who is the owner of the houses we are working on. He is such a nice guy and really has a passion for antiques and restoring things back to their original quality. The houses are gorgeous! I have been brushing old wooden beams (which are really huge tree trunks) with a wire brush and then repainting them with dark brown stain. The other projects I will be doing is repointing (touching up the grout that is between the stones in the walls) and repainting old street signs. The days go by quicky and I dont get bored, even when Ive been staring at the same tree trunk for 5 hours.

My days are like this:
I wake up at 730, have some coffee and cereal, and meet the boys (see below) at the restaurant in the square for another coffee. We dilly dally until about 830 or 9 and then start work. We break for lunch at the strike of 12 (there is a town clock and we actually drop everything when we hear the chimes) and cook a great meal and relax until 230. Then we get back to work until the stike of five. I work Monday through Friday and have Saturday and Sunday to explore, go hiking (BEAUTIFUL trails but have to be careful of the wild pigs), take the bus into San Remo for necessities... take a siesta...

Ive fallen in love with the place and the people very, very quickly. I will stay here as long as it feels right, regardless of my visa.

There is currently one other volunteer here. Her name is Terry and shes from Boston. We have had some really great conversations and have formed a really nice friendship. Shes about 45 and we have shared quite a bit of the same life experiences, even though our ages are very different. She has been in Bajardo since March. She only planned on staying for a few weeks. This place sucks you in!!!! She has been seeing a local man here and she spends the nights and weekends with him, so I have the house to myself.

Even though Terry and I are the only volunteers, there are several other people we work with. Jimmy is a 30-something English bloke that works construction with us. He drinks too much and has the eyes of a drunk, but harmless. His parents came to visit a few days ago and they expressed how much better he is, that they thought they were going to lose him to drugs because of a terrible relationship he was in with a woman in England. He is happy and I think Bajardo has healed his heart a bit, which is good.

Max is a wonderful man that is pretty much in charge of the work that is done on the houses. He doesnt speak any English, so our relationship is based on: Ciao Max, va bene, tutta bene, and lots of smiles and laughter. Hes a FABULOUS cook and I have been eating so well here!

And then there is Michele. Michele is Max's 25 year old son. Yeah. He is lovely and I have developed a crush on him very quickly. He doesnt get drunk, he reads poetry, he cooks so well, he is teaching himself how to play the violin, he looks rather perfect with his shirt off, and well, he is kind. Very different than anyone I have ever met. He is gentle and caring and really pretty wonderful. He is shy and I think he might feel the same way about me, but I really have no idea. We only share lingering looks and smiles and both seem sad to say goodnight and leave each other.

At home I dont have a problem telling someone that I have feelings for him, but with Michele, its different. I really enjoy the way things are now -- maybe the first time Ive actually experienced romance. He is learning english, slowly... last night he translated a poem from a children's poetry book (kind of like Shel Silverstein) for me. It took us about a half hour, but it was fun and we both laughed a lot at how many times we had to look up the same words because we had forgotten them. I think Im going to try to find the book in English somewhere.

Yesterday Arrigo called me and asked if I could do him a favor. He runs a school and summer camps for Italian kids wanting to learn english. He asked me if I would do him a favor and go to a camp in a town near Milan for a week. I was hesitant to leave Bajardo and Michele and my new friends, but I would do anything for Arrigo, so I said yes. So now Im in the city, San Remo, getting my information for the next week. It should be interesting. I will be working with 5 year olds from 9am to 6pm!!! YIKES. I will only have 4 of them, so it wont be terrible. I miss Johnny, Sam, Ethan, Olivia, Bella, and Audrey so much that this will be a nice hold-over until I get to see them again. The best part is that I will be staying with a family, so I will be comfortable and get to meet some more wonderful Italians.

My mom asked me if I love Italy more than Greece, but I cant really compare the two. I have fallen in love with both of them for their own specific qualities...

During one of our great talks, Terry recited this quote for me and Id like to share it with you all because it is really wonderful.

"Ask not what the world needs. Instead, seek what makes your heart sing...Because what the world needs most are more hearts that sing."

Love you all!
Hillary

how things work out

2007-07-30T20:58:00.000+02:00

I came to Crete to visit my friends from the dig I worked on last summer. I had perfect timing really, as the night I arrived was one of the summer's first glendi's. Glendi's are wonderful - a night full of of eating, dancing, drinking, and most likely a dip in the sea before the night is over, with or without clothing. Well, to be honest, never with clothing.

After 10 minutes at the glendi, after I was reunited wtih everyone, Barbara, the head of the excavation, asked me if I wanted to dig. I asked her if she would pay for my room. She said yes and so did I. So, I started digging today. It was great to be back at the site working again... everything came flooding back, including pain in my last three fingers on my right hand from picking. But it's all good.

I didn't really know what my plans were until my family is coming to visit on the 14th. I didn't know how long I was planning on staying in Crete, where I'd stay, or what I'd do. I just let it happen, didn't even think about it really. And see what happens... things work out if you let them.

My parents and both of my sisters are coming to visit and I can't wait. My parents came to see me when I was living in Athens two years ago, but my sisters haven't been to Europe for years. I'm making plans so that their first trip to Greece is fabulous.

It's always hard when you show people a place you love. If they don't appreciate it as much as you do, you can't help but be upset. Are they not seeing the same things you are? Why don't they love it as much as I do when it's obviously so wonderful??? I'm hoping that my sisters love Greece as much as I do...then maybe one day, if I ever live here, they'd summer with me.

mykonos

2007-07-27T12:04:00.001+02:00

goodbye Paros

2007-07-27T11:51:00.000+02:00

Bye Jim, Freddie, and Charlie!

On the way to the beach with Charlie

last day

2007-07-27T06:27:00.001+02:00

Today is my last day on this farm in Paros. I'm going to miss it, but I know I'm ready to leave. I was going to stay another week, but the heat is driving me crazy - It has been a humid 105 with no wind except for hot blasts from North Africa.

My ferry leaves at 3:45 pm and arrives in Crete at around 8. I'm so excited to visit my friends from the dig last summer. They're all there working again during the study season. When I left Crete last summer, Barbara, the head of the dig, told me that she'd pay for me to come back... But then took it back in about January. Now I got an email from my friend Joe saying that she has been asking when I might come to visit because she has some money and might want me to draw some potsherds and small finds. I'm not convinced that this will actually happen, but I am prepared to ask for housing and a stipend for food if it does.

On July 21st, I'm leaving for Italy! I've never been before and I'm really excited. I'll be volunteering with the Association for Cultural and Linguistic Education there. They've recently purchased a few Medieval houses and need volunteers to restore them. I applied about 6 months ago, and since I hadn't heard back, I figured that I wasn't accepted or something. But then a few weeks ago, I got an email asking if I was still coming. So, I'm going! Here's the website:

It will be a nice change from the serious labor here.

I'm really going to miss it here though. It's a really special place. I told Jim I would return and I know I will.

xronia pollia, matera mou!

2007-07-23T21:34:00.000+02:00

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

charlie and fred

2007-07-13T16:22:00.001+02:00

its so hot

2007-07-11T11:42:00.001+02:00

really, really hot.

jim-isms

2007-07-10T16:03:00.002+02:00

There's nothing I enjoy more than hanging out with someone who has really, really great stories to tell. Well, there's nothing I enjoy more than hanging out with someone who has great stories and can tell them really well. Jim is a really fantastic story teller. And he looks like a combination of Neil Young and the crazy guy from Back to the Future. Who wouldn't want to hear a story from a combination like that???

It doesn't matter what we're talking about. Jim has a story for every topic. The other day while we were waiting for the ferry to take us to Antiparos, I bought a pair of sunglasses from the kiosk. I said something about how cheap sunglasses are always the way to go because they seem to always get lost or broken and I KNOW that the second I buy an expensive pair, they'll only last for about 1/10th of the time I spent picking them out.

Jim disagreed. He has only had expensive glasses. In fact, the first pair of sunglasses he ever had were about 200 pounds.

I looked at him and said something like, "how did you afford that?" He had mentioned before that he was a struggling artist for many, many years. He was a leather worker, metal worker, taught himself how to gold smith, was a marble sculptor, made jewelry, made costumes for movies, the list goes on and on.

He said, "Oh, well I didn't buy them, I won them in a bet."

"Won them in a bet? Who bets sunglasses?" I asked.

He chuckled a chuckle that said, "oh man I haven't thought of this story for a while, but it's a good one." He paused and thought of the best way to start the story.

"Well, I was in the middle of making this leather bikini while I was living in Ibiza (Spain) and I needed some silver. I brought the bikini with me to my silver smithing friend so I could get some from him. His workshop was right on the beach - he claimed that he never lost inspiration there or something... I'm not sure if it was the women or the water or what, but he did make really great stuff. Anyway, I get up to him and tell him what I need and he starts giving me a hard time.

"I'll give you the silver if you get that girl to put on the bikini." My friend said, as he pointed to the most beautiful Spanish woman on the beach.

Shit, I thought to myself. Who is going to try on a half-made bikini? And from a guy that looks like this? I had been working all day, you see.

So I figure that I need the silver much more than I need my dignity, so I walk over to her. I tell her about my situation, how I need the silver to finish this bikini, blah blah blah. He takes one look a the bikini, jumps up, and says, of course I'll try it on.

That was easy, I thought.

She went to try the bikini on and I went back to sit with my buddy in his workshop. And his face when that beauty came back wearing the bikini was just priceless.

And the best part about it was that she loved the thing. She actually wanted it right then and there! I told her it wasn't finished and that she could buy it from me later if she wanted, but she insisted on having it right then. She said she didn't have any money, but she did have these really expensive sunglasses.

She took them off and handed them to me. She told me how much they cost her and I tried them on.

I said ok and we made the deal. She didn't even take the bikini off-she just wandered back to her sunbathing spot and continued doing whatever it was she was doing before I went over to her.

I turned to my friend and looked at him through my new shades. His face! He put together a bag full of silver for me. Man did that silver sparkle in the sunlight -- I was really happy I had my sunglasses."

the wall hillary built

2007-07-09T21:21:00.001+02:00

Jim put me in charge of their lovely backyard garden. For the past few days I've been giving it some love. Well, all the love plants need are poop, water, and mulch... So I've been doing that.

At lunch the other day I told Jim that we could really use a back wall for the highest bed of the garden. He had told me a story about how a few years ago there was an enormous flood and it nearly took out the entire garden before flooding the house. After the flood, Jim built a few permanent walls behind the garden, but nothing really finishing off the final bed. He liked the idea and we started building today.

I used a jackhammer for the first time. I liked it.

07.07.07

2007-07-09T21:00:00.001+02:00

A few days ago, Jim, Charlotte (another wwoofer from Napa), and I went into town to run some errands and see an art exhibit of a friend of his. The town is small and like most every other Greek island towns. Lots of white, lots of blue, lots of people, lots of shops. While Jim was catching up with his artist friend, Charlotte and I found the local English newspaper.

The newspaper was filled with notes from the municipality about new laws and regulations, a list of upcoming birthdays, and events. In one corner was an advertisement for a party for Live Earth on 07.07.07--the next day. I knew that the Live Earth concerts were happening, but I completely forgot they were so soon. We had to go!

The party was on the island of Antiparos, the island next to Paros. 1 euro gets you across. It's so close, I could swim across with no problem...except for the ferry boats, kite surfers, and ritzy private boats. So Charlotte, Jim, and I make plans for the weekend. Charlotte and I take the ferry across at around 4pm so we have some time the check things out around there before the party starts at 10. We get a campground set up, as we expect the party to be a rager and the ferrys stop crossing at 1am. Jim would feed the dogs, do some things at the house, and then take the ferry across at 10 and meet us at the party.

We were all expecting this huge beach party with bonfires and music and happy people dancing and happy people swimming and beer and fun!

Charlotte and I decide to make our way to the party place around 10:15 after sitting on the dock for a while. Jim missed the ferry so he wouldn't be in until 11. We figured we'd stake out a good place to hang out at the party because we figured there would be a ton of people there and limited chilling space.

The bar wasn't full of music and happy people dancing and happy people swimming... it wasn't even on the beach, so swimming and bonfires were impossible. The bar was actually this really ritzy place with posh couches and fancy waitresses. Oh man, we both thought. This is NOT what we were expecting. The people there didn't even look like they were having fun. Total buzz kill.

Jim met us at the bar and after giving it a shot, we all decided we could find a better time on the island. We walked through the square, people watched for a while, but in the end, sat on the beach for a few hours drinking and talking about how lame the party was.

Jim slept in his car at the port, which is really funny because he's so tall that I can't believe he couldn't come up with a better alternative. Charlotte and I slept head-to-foot in her 1 person tent. Close quarters with a girl that I just met and am not really sure if I even like yet. She's very intense, has lived on an organic farm in Cali for many years, and would tell you that she knows everything about farming if you asked her.

Although the party wasn't what we thought it would be, we all got a kick of what we thought it would be like. We're all determined to find a raging beach party before I leave here.

home

2007-07-09T20:56:00.001+02:00

The view we have dinner to every night.

exhausted

2007-07-03T17:16:00.000+02:00

Hi from Paros!

It's so beautiful here! Jim and Irene, the farm owners, are lovely and I've fallen quickly in love with their 2 dogs and 3 cats. My love for shoveling cow poop and carrying it around in wheelbarrows is slightly less, but it comes with a real education of permaculture, which is great.

I arrived at the farm on Sunday evening after spending about 40 hours in Athens. It was great to be back in Athens - I ate at my favorite restaurant, climbed up Lykavetos with new friends at about 3am, and had about an hour of sleep before having to leave for the ferry to Paros. Note to self: NOT a good idea to be on a ferry hungover when you already know you get seasick.

After I got off the boat (I've never been so happy to get out of a moving vehicle in my entire life), I took a public bus to a few towns over. Jim, Irene, Charlie, and Freddie (the 2 dogs), picked me up from the bus station and we went to the farm. I wish I had pictures to show you all (my camera broke the day I arrived - figures) because I'm not sure if you'd believe how beautiful it is. They have committed their lives to creating a beautiful place to live and work and the place just gushes with the type of energy that only comes from hours of serious heartfelt dedication and uncountable gallons of sweat. Believe me - I've worked for 2 days and think I've donated at least five.

Anyway, I had such a great first evening with them. They had some friends come by for dinner - Aussies that are on Paros for running Ashtanga Yoga seminars. After a really, really tasty dinner and great conversation, we went into town and saw The Good Shepard at the open air theater. The theater was so fun, but this movie is not one that you should watch after you've only slept for an hour, still feel pretty crappy, and are only running on adrenalin. It's too long and way to depressing. But the popcorn was good and the Mythos was as good as I remembered it to be.

Yesterday and today I woke up at 7, got dressed, had a small breakfast, and started work at about 8:30. I've been working with compost and mulch. Part of the permaculture philosophy is making sure that you're being smart with your resources. Jim has been taking advantage of the local economy here in Paros. He has collected grape seeds from the raki making farm down the road. Raki tastes like nail polish remover and is only tolerable with salty snacks and in small sips. It is made from the grapes that are too crappy to make wine out of. He used their "trash" seeds as compost during the growing season (which is winter). Now we're working with olive leaves from the olive oil making place in the center of town.

Oh yes, and lots and lots of cow poop that has been sitting in a pile for a year.

It doesn't smell and I've found some pretty cool potsherds while shoveling it. I actually used a pitchfork while digging in piles of crap. All that was missing was the clothespin on my nose.

I'm having a really great time and I think my time here will fly by.

I'll write more later - I'm so tired!!!

so long!

2007-06-28T20:34:00.000+02:00

I've got my visa, I'm packed, and I'm ready to go!!!

Next time I write, I'll be in Athens :)

2 days

2007-06-26T23:43:00.000+02:00

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.

some background on wwoof

2007-06-20T22:25:00.000+02:00

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. "

10 days

2007-06-19T01:16:00.000+02:00

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.

stress due to procrastination

2007-06-16T09:38:00.000+02:00

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?

soft dogs, chunky chickens, and lucky ducks

2007-06-10T18:36:00.000+02:00

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.

Making Plans

2007-06-04T05:13:00.000+02:00

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.