CURRENT MISSION

I am trying to travel and work around the world and blog about it all. I have been teaching English in Italy for the past few weeks but my time of employment is done on July 15th and I will officially become a vagabond travel blogger.

ABOUT ME

Before I left New York my friends frequently described me as the most typical American they have ever met, a direct result of my overuse of the word “love “ and total abuse of superlatives (not every weekend can really be the BEST one I’ve ever had).

I really do have a naturally happy disposition and try to enjoy life to the fullest but, last April, I started to think maybe it was time to de-Americanize myself. I spent my college summers and semesters in fast-paced professional internships rather than in the Duomo or Prado and was regretting these missed experiences abroad.

And so I began to think of a journey overseas. I knew I wanted to live in one place long enough to get to know the people and the culture of a city, rather than to pop through hostels. I worked for an AIDS organization in India for four months after I graduated from Northwestern and I would have found the country dirty, smelly and distressingly hectic if I had only stayed for a few days. It took time to develop a real appreciation for the craziness of the streets there.

When I heard about an opportunity to live and work in Italy for a travel website for six weeks, I decided to take it. After Italy I just kept on traveling, through all over Europe.

I couch surfed my way through France last summer and had an incredible experience. I was expecting snobbery in the country but each one of my five hosts showed me endless warmth and hospitality. I am now looking forward to going back to the US and hosting people myself so I can repay all the goodness that came my way.

You can always find out more about me on my website: www.thesistersbailey.com

PHILOSOPHY

Don't say you will do something "when you're older". There is a right time for everything.

Interests

Belgian or dark beers, dancing till dawn, meeting new people, traveling, sports, rock climbing, long days on the beach and trying anything once.

• culture
• dancing
• beer
• traveling
• blogging
• sports
• rock climbing
• beaches