As all of my friends are about to embark on the college life, I am taking a year off and traveling around the world!
There's actually a name for this crazy idea, it's called a Gap Year, hence the title of this blog. But maybe at the end of this year I'll decide that "Hmmm, that just wasn't enough. Round two!" This coming year will be filled with spiritual discoveries, new friendships, enormous learning experiences, community life, facing and overcoming fears, eating delicious foods and best of all - traveling1
I have dedicated a year to living in the L'Arche Community in Manchester, England. This will entail living with people that have disabilities and helping them to be independent in their environment and prosper in their community. I was born in a L'Arche Community in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. Daybreak was the name of this community where both my mum and dad lived. Mom is an extraordinary woman who started L'Arche communities around the States and then traveled to several L'Arche communities in Europe. My father also was very involved with L'Arche in both Canada and India. Now you see that it's essential for me to experience L'Arche.
While I will be working and living in England that won't stop me from seeing what else Europe has in store for me. My goal, of course is to gain friendships and a new perspective on life, and some of this will come from traveling. I want to visit a new country every month. Is that too ambitious? Perhaps, but aren't dreams fun and exciting to have? So I cross my fingers and I will try my absolute best to see and taste twelve countries. My top twelve are: Netherlands, Ireland, France, Greece, Italy, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, and Sweden. The list is lengthy of countries outside of Europe too, but I suppose I should start "local", eh? This list might be completely different tomorrow or a month from now, either way I hope that my future involves traveling, eating gourmet cuisine and dancing to local street vendors.
Oh yes, a little more about me..intrigued? Thought you knew it all, eh?
I am eighteen and I am fresh out of high school. I've spent the last two months working between two jobs, that have absolutely exhausted me. Nevertheless, I am off to England in these coming weeks. The late start to my year away is due to the passport issues that I blame on the US government (roll your eyes, but it was INSANE and EXPENSIVE). After nine months of calling embassies and emailing congressmen, I finally can say that my passport is en route!! I'll keep my eager readers up to date on when it arrives and we can all scream HOORAY in unison!
Cheers, Sarah
