Explorations.

Ok. I've decided that I know a few of the places I want to visit. Starting with places that speak a common language with me. Now, obviously that includes places where English is commonly used. But - little known fact (ok not really "little known", I kinda think it's one of the few things that EVERYONE knows about me) - I speak French. So that also opens up some interesting options. France, obviously, but there's a plethora of other options.

So, to start:

Quebec. I mean OK, it's not far, and it'll probably be on the butt end of the tour, since it is, in fact, not far from the US. But it's a francophone province, more so than even the rest of Canada. Also it's an excuse to go somewhere cold, since I plan on spending as much time as possible in summertime by crossing the Equator on the Solstice, or at least thereabouts..

Belgium and Switzerland. Both francophone countries. Or... well, Belgium, anyway. Switzerland is probably the most famous dump cake in all of Europe. Also both reasonably close to France. But most importantly: both famous for junk food (frites belges and swiss chocolate? Hello!). What could be more awesome? Here's a hint: Not. Much.

Cameroon. It's in Africa, so it's different, and also Cameroon French is TOTALLY* different from French French, so it would be Good to Do, especially from a learner's standpoint, but also from a teaching standpoint - going to countries where non-Standard French is spoken will broaden my grasp and knowledge of the language, as well as introducing some interesting cultural aspects.

Seychelles. Another African country. They speak Seychelles Creole there, as well as French, and English, and probably several other unofficial languages as well. Creole intrigues me. I want to learn Creole. It's kind of like the Queen's English versus Alabama English - it'll make your ears bleed, but it's interesting enough to make it worth the while. Kind of like a lingual tattoo.

Haiti. See above, except for the Africa part. Haiti's in Central America, doncha'no. Except it's an island. Also, they speak Haitian Creole as opposed to Seychelles Creole.

Tomorrow: Some of the English-language countries I plan on visiting. Beware: tomorrow's list might be a little longer...

My favorite places

I have three favorite places in this world, at least so far. I haven't seen enough of the world to claim this is anything more than a temporary list, and I'm sure I'll be adding and moving and modifying and changing, but these three places have been my favorites for a good little while now, so here they are for your enjoyment.

Auburn, AL: I love this place. I love it for its beauty. I love it for its tradition. I love it for the place it will forever hold in my heart, as the home of my alma mater, my first love, and my transformation from (awkward) shy little caterpillar to (still-awkward) semi-social butterfly. Most of all, though, I love it for its small-town, family feel. People smile and say hello (or, more often, War Eagle) when you pass. I love it for the fact that everything I want is here. Auburn can be crazy - just come spend an odd Thanksgiving weekend here, when we host the University of Alabama for the infamous Iron Bowl rivalry. Let me just assure you, from six years of experience: it gets insane. But it can be calm, too, when most of the students leave for breaks. Either way, Auburn is, hands-down, my favorite place to be.

New York City, NY: I really don't like big cities, but New York is a different sort of monster. The first time I went, I hated it. I mean, I HATED it. I never wanted to come back to the City. Compared to the huge, sprawling, insane mass of this strange place, I felt insignificant and small, and infinitely more like a small-town country girl than I truly am. I spent most of the afternoon, that first time, crying as I walked around, trying my best to not get separated from my family. Lemme just tell ya: Keeping seven people together in the crowds in NYC the week before New Years? Not the easiest task, that. Last year, I'd resigned myself to the fact that, in the City That Never Sleeps, you have to stand up for yourself and not be bullied and buffeted around, and sometimes your big group is gonna get separated. With those revelations, and with some time spent there not-crying, I realized that the living, breathing mass of NYC is not nearly so frightening as I'd found it before. I've started discovering myself feeling nostalgic, and wondering how difficult it would really be to just pack up and go on a whim. (I must confess, this feeling of nostalgia comes most often when I open up a round of Thomas bagels, and realize that there's no way something from the miscellaneous-baked-goods aisle could ever live up to real, freshly-made New York bagels and schmear.)

Panama City Beach, FL: Full disclosure: I really don't like Panama City Beach. I'm a reader, not a partier, so the whole party mentality in PCB just doesn't do it for me. I don't care about Spring Break (I go home to be with my family), and I sure don't care about who's playing La Vela. But the beaches, those sugar-sand beaches so emblematic of the Florida Panhandle, are some of the most beautiful in the world. Destin and Panama City, and the beaches along Scenic 30-A between the two, all have the white-sugar sand that squeaks when you walk, and water so clear you can see your toes even when you're up to your neck. The view from the Lagoon at Edgewater Beach Resort is one of the best you'll ever see, and there's never been a reason not to go up 30-A, even if I can't afford to stay there. My end goal in life, aside from years (not just one, but as many as I can afford) spent exploring, is to become a beach bum with a house somewhere in one of the little beach communities along 30-A, so I can sit there on my Mac and blog and write stories and never have to leave the beach if I don't want to.

I'm sure, if my year(s) happen, more places will vie for spots on this list, but - for now, at least - these are the top three.

The Adventure

I was born a traveler. In my short life, I've lived in four different states, and something like ten different houses. I have seen about 30 of the 48 contiguous United States, as well as two Canadian provinces.

However, recently I've been somewhat limited as far as my experiences have gone. I've been able to go to New York City for a week at Christmas, and Panama City Beach, FL for a total of about two weeks spread through school breaks, and I have plans to go to Paris next summer as a study-abroad deal with my university. But NYC and PCB and La Ville de Lumiere, it's just not enough. (Cue the spoiled brat.)

See, I want to see everywhere. No, really, I do. I want to see Europe, with all its famous places, but I also want to see Africa and Asia and South America and Australia, and the rest of North America to boot. Heck, I'd like to see Antarctica if it wasn't so freaking cold.

So, what's a girl to do?

Well, plan an Adventure, of course! Since I've got lots of time (I'm in grad school until May of 2013, at least), I thought I would get started. I know I probably STILL don't have enough time to make perfect plans, but I figure at least I can get them started! And I can start doing research, and finding travel tips and stuff, and get a time frame nailed down. As of right now, I don't see it being a Big Thing - just me, perhaps. I don't want to be tied down to anything, and the bigger your group, the more tied down you will be, simply because groups tend to have Itineraries and Things To Do and People To Keep Happy.

The Premise of the Adventure: Take a year. See the world. Come home. I think I should keep it simple. Of course, there are specific goals that I do have in mind. There are places that I want to see. There are things I want to do. I have ideas for what I want to do. However, I don't want to be ruled by these things, because - in a whole year's time - there will be enough time for most everything.

The Adventure Time Frame: 1 June 2013 - 1 June 2014. I do not know what will happen on 1 June 2013. I might drive out to see my continent first, or I might fly out to see somewhere completely different, and finish with my own continent in May of 2014. I will discover that when I decide where, exactly, I will go.

Things I Know I Will Need: Passport. A Eurail Pass for the time I will spend in Europe. Comfy shoes. Comfy clothes. Internet access. Money.

Things I Do Not Know And Plan To Learn: Anything that isn't listed.