Greetings from Arcadia,
In the words of Walt Whitman, “Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road.”
Not sure how I got to be this lucky, but I am spending the next year (or so) of my life as a full time explorer, following my feet to places that fascinate me and experiencing the world up close. I’ll have friends and family join me at points along the way, but for the most part I’ll be traveling solo.
I’ve learned from past travels that I feel most alive and connected to a place when I am in the countryside, seeking out and spending time outdoors. In Greek antiquity, Arcadia was a rural region with great natural beauty, and the name Arcadia came to symbolize a kind of bucolic utopia and simple way of life marked by harmony with nature. For the next year, I’m seeking Arcadia; looking to connect with open spaces and the natural beauty of places around the world.
I hope these letters will be a way to share my adventures with you, but also to create little “sketches” of this time in my life (I have no talent for drawing, so I’ll have to do it with words). I’ll close out with Walt again, who really said it best, “Healthy, free, the world before me/ The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.” I hope to see you out there.
Yours very truly,
Sarah