Welcome and Introduction

Hello, reader!

Welcome to "Foreigners in WWOOFers' Clothing," a blog that will give you insight to my travels abroad. First, the formalities. I'm Zoë, an eighteen-year-old high school graduate (Class of 2009) from Newton, Massachusetts whose interests include reading, anthropology, writing, and singing a cappella.

My friend Alice and I have delayed our college matriculations until fall 2010 in favor of seven months organic farming in New Zealand. Goals for the year include expanding my knowledge of sustainability, gaining practical life skills, furthering my self-understanding, immersing myself in different cultures, and hopefully, coming a little closer to knowing what I want to do after college at Penn (Class of 2014.)

September 17th, 2009 - a week from today - Alice and I will depart for Kiwiland on this Gap Year Adventure. Through the cultural exchange organization World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), we will work on sustainable homesteads, receiving room and board in exchange for thirty-five hours of labor a week.

We've made arrangements with eight hosts and have access to more if need be. Finding the names was easy enough, thanks to our WWOOF book, a 175-page tome chock-filled with New Zealanders seeking working farmers, or "wwoofers." [See the compendium's forest-green cover, quirky pictures, and cheery slogan below.]



Some WWOOF background information: WWOOF New Zealand was started in 1973. As stated in the WWOOF book, its aims are

"- To enable people to learn first hand organic growing techniques.
- To enable town-dwellers to experience living and working on a farm.
- To show alternative ways of life.
- To improve communication within the organic movement.
- To help develop confidence in becoming self-sufficient.
- To meet interesting people and make useful contacts."

In no particular order, Alice and I will be visiting the regions of Northland, Waikato, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, and Golden Bay. We will spend two weeks to a month at each farm, allowing room for flexibility. Due to the nature of the trip, we expect to encounter a wide range of tasks, people, experiences, and challenges.

At the moment, Alice and I are in the midst of everything that comes with preparing for a long trip: traveler's checks, neck pillows, health insurance abroad, stuff sacks, and "See you later"'s to friends and family. When I next post, we'll be staying in an Auckland hostel for five days to get acclimated to our new surroundings.

The plane ride to the other side of the world is lengthy to say the least, so some reading on Maori culture and New Zealand slang will be in order. Until then, my limited Maori will have to do. Haere ra (In English that's "Farewell.")

Zoë