First off, my name is Anne, 24 year old guy from Holland (didnt expect that guy part did you? Did you?
Well, I'm Frisian and it's a guys name over there too. But even the Dutch don't know, so don't be ashamed 
).
In a few weeks time I plan to do my first hitchhiking ever, trying to go through Germany and into Sweden.
At the same time, i'm getting a visum application going so i can go to America to live on the road for a year (wondering how to explain that one though, but i can always say i'm staying over with a friend who's adress i could use in the application).
I've been wanting to do this for a long time now, having worked a job I didnt particularly like so I could save up the money I needed to.
I'm eager to go out there and have some fresh experiences, learn new things and meet interesting people.
I've known about the site for a while now but so far was a bit intimidated by the fact my time draws near and still have some anxieties about it, but have started reading up in the forums for useful tips and advice.
Camping out isnt particularly new to me: i have been doing an education for outdoor sports instructor, so i've been around for a bit already.
Belgium and France, specifically, and also spent some vacations in Austria and Germany.
I have always been involved with outdoor life, being part of the scouts for several years, trying for the Army after that but deciding it wasnt the right thing for my life, so i became a sports instructor instead.
I never gave it much thought though, but after seeing Into the Wild i was intrigued to see things outside of the safezone.
I want adventure, and i won't find any of it by simply working as an outdoor sports instructor. It's all too regulated, set up in advance. There's no thrill left.
Seeing McCandless just drop and leave everything like that was impressive, dauntless, and i started reading up on him and started reading things he read to better understand the things that moved him to do the things he did. And in many things, i agree with him and the authors of the books i've read.
Though i assure you Thoreau's Walden is quite the heavy read for someone who's native language isnt English
Another inspiration is Everett Ruess, who's letters i've read in "Everett Ruess: A vagabond for beauty" by W.L. Rusho.
In travel i want to learn more about life and the things that are important to me.
I feel as if i've yet but touched on the things lightly, my thoughts are clouded and unclear, yet i feel very strongly about them.
There is a calling, and i spent many an hour a day standing there daydreaming, wishing to be out there and stop living what is not life to me:
To repeat the same things every day, all week. To get out of the grind that is daily life in our modern society.
To best describe me i tend to fall back on quotes from others, and more than anything it is this quote that describes my feelings at this moment:
"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."
â Chris McCandless
My friends and family do not understand unfortunately, which seems to always be the case unfortunately. But i can't let that or fear get into the way of me following my dreams.
So, i will keep reading these forums, hoping to be a useful addition to this community, and in a few weeks time, i will be out there with the rest of you.
Hail from Holland
