The Hills Are Alive And Beautiful!

Living on a small farm in the hills of the mountains, we had ample opportunity to go for walks and hikes through the woods or up into the mountains. Every walk was amazing with so much to see and so many different views!

We were also blessed to have our friendly companion, Bella, to join us on our explorations so that we would always find our way home!

Through the woods we would smell the damp soil and the strong sweet smell of spruce. We would hear the birds chirping and sometimes the crunch of leaves and twigs under a deer's hooves as he made his getaway.

We would make a point to get to an opening of the trees in order to take in the amazing mountain views or beautiful green hillsides. The farm land was just as beautiful to us as the snow capped peaks in the distance.

On one of our treks up towards the mountains, we walked alongside the roaring mountain water as it rushed down into the villages for people to have fresh drinking water. There were so many tiny streams that fed into the main waterway that meandered through the towns and villages.

We loved to see how far we could go in one direction and check out the tiny villages we came upon. We enjoyed finding the forks in the road and trying to take the paths less travelled.

We Are Not So Different

Across this world are 196 different countries with their own cultures, languages and traditions. Some countries differ more in comparison to others, but there is usually the general consensus that each and every corner of this world is a little different than home.

There is without a doubt many differences throughout this world. But what about all the similarities?

Julie and I have daily come upon multiple similarities between our host family here in central Austria to our own life and family back home in Wisconsin.

First and foremost, both of our families make a living as farmers. This itself has proved to have so many similar lifestyle similarities. These include the early mornings working and the always happening afternoon chores. The hurrying up with chores and quickly running through the shower to get to somewhere in the evening. In addition, Julie and I see the partnership and teamwork between our host family parents as well as our own parents back home. Not only do they live and love together but work and communicate and get things done together.

Both of our families share in meals together. And even at home, here the phone never takes a break during dinner or supper and our host 'mom' shows her faint annoyance at the ringing that always interrupts.  That, along with the daughters 'sharing' with their mom even when she doesn't offer always makes us chuckle and are reminded of home.

Other similarities include the pride an older sibling has for their younger sisters or brothers. That is something that a different culture doesn't change.

And there is so much more that we experienced that would have Julie and I looking to each other and smiling. There was teasing and talks of marriage between Julie and the neighbor farmer. We all shared in the love for chocolate cake. After supper we would sit and laugh and chat together, sometimes sitting for over an hour after the  food had been put away.

Even more similarities would arise throughout our time with this family. Constant running to take or pick up kids. Missing baby animals when sold to another farm. Staying out later to get more work done when it is nice. Taking a packed lunch along with sandwiches when there was so time to come in for lunch.

Each of our families come from very different countries with such different traditions and cultural values, and yet, Julie and I found so many principle similarities that made our time with this amazing family that much more wonderful. We were so comfortable with the tasks of the farm as well as with the routine and harmony of the family. They welcomed us with open arms and we thoroughly enjoyed sharing in their Austrian culture and realizing again how we as people are not so different.

We shared our family's "special birthday cake" with our host family. They enjoyed it so much, we made a second one before we left!

We started and finished chores early and rushed to get to a concert of our "host sister!"

Would You Like To Do This Too?

Do you want to travel? Have you gone out into the world and want to see more? Are you for the first time getting the travel bug?  Have you read this blog and think you could never do this too?

But you CAN! Traveling is one of the best, most rewarding and educational experiences anyone can take the time and opportunity to do. If traveling, or anything for that matter, is what you want to do, you only must decide you're going to do it and follow through with your plan.

Money always seems to be why some decide they cannot make a trip or travel to somewhere new. I always believe that if you want to do something, money should be the last barrier.

For Julie and I, we knew we would be traveling on a budget, but we knew we could make it happen.

First and foremost, we wanted to make this trip work. Second, we planned well ahead of time to ensure we would be able to save for our trip and prepare our work and jobs for an extended absence or resignation.

Next, we decided where to go, what we wanted to do and see and decided upon a budget. Julie and I booked our flight tickets months in advance and I searched for several weeks to find the best price and route plan. We also were sure to check visa and passport rules for the countries we would visit.

Julie and I will be working towards keeping a $10/day budget plan. This does not include our plane tickets. How will we do it? We are staying with many different families and friends and working in exchange for room and board. We already have WWOOFed in Canada and now will be Workaway-ing through Austria, England and Ireland.

Workaway.info is a site where hosts from all over the world open their doors to travelers and learners to help with farming tasks, building, child care, general house chores and other work imaginable. For 4-5 hours of work a day, the hosts will provide room and board. Every situation is different, but that is the general idea.

Julie and I will be able to work for the necessities, while also learning the culture of different areas, learning new skills and meeting some of the most hospitable people across the globe.

Making our plans ahead of time, finding ways to learn and work while traveling and knowing what we expected from this adventure were vital in making this trip happen.

However, the most important element to make this trip happen, which we never take for granted, is the love and support of our family, friends and loved ones. So many have helped us get here because of their encouragement, belief in us and love. If that's the last piece to making your travel or dream happen, find someone or a group of people who is able to stand behind you in what you want to do.

We want to thank everyone who has encouraged us with words, taken time to wish us well, helped set up hosts across the pond and gave us tips or treats to help us on our way. Most importantly, we thank those that allow us to leave home and follow our hearts and will be there when we return with open arms and extra hugs and squeezes.

There is nothing you can't do. There is no where you can't go. All you must do is start somewhere and do it. Happy travels!!

 Choose your path that leads to the mountains or valleys that you seek.