About Me

Who is Wayward Traveller?

Hi, I’m Annie, I’m originally from this little town in eastern Washington called Spokane, but I haven’t seen much of it lately.

Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to go to the University of Washington and be a Husky. What can I say? I like dogs. After accomplishing that dream, I joined a sorority assuming I’d graduate, get a job and live a typical but perfect American life.

My last year in college all of my friends began frantically searching for cities to study abroad in and scattering together paperwork. I sadly looked on. I could never afford to study abroad!

Then I thought; if they can, I can. I saved up to  participate in a student exchange in Sydney, Australia. I mean, Australia, what’s not to love? I would go there and drink like an Aussie, meet lots of Aussies (preferably men…) and just have a grand old time, comparable to that of my friends studying “Euro-style” in Spain and Italy. Oh man was I wrong.

I met a wealth of amazing people (no Aussie men though) and connected with culture and travel on a level I didn’t know was possible.

When I reluctantly headed back to Seattle to finish school, I knew only one thing. I didn’t want to stay. I love Seattle, but I knew there was a whole world waiting for me.

Fate brought me to Florence, Italy and my initial shaky 3-month commitment turned into a year and a half. I struggled through language and the search for work.

I ended up starting this blog just before finding a job as a student tour guide. I worked for two semesters taking study abroad students all around Italy and Europe, sharing my story and my passion for travel.

My work writing and photographing is slowly growing every single day. I have started writing for a lot of publications recently and am always open to new opportunities!

These days Lorenzo and I have been in Sydney for over 1 year (fastest travel year of my life!) and we don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. Working, living at the beach and loving every minute!

Stay tuned…

Fun Facts:

• I like puppies. A lot. And tequila, but usually not together. Or together if you like.
• I have worked in just about every possible job, and my boyfriend is surprised every time I mention that I used to work
  

  this would be fate.

  as something.

• My family thinks the fact that I travel, and spend all of my money on travel, is amazing and they couldn’t be more supportive.
• I went to Australia to meet an Aussie and came back with an Italian… I hardly knew where Italy was before running into him (slight exaggeration).
• Moving to Italy was my mom’s idea; I was caught up in the ‘what if everyone else is right’ mindset. Thanks Mom, you’re the best!
• I taught English for three months and hated it, but am open to trying again… with a different cultural group.
• Sometimes I just smile and nod at the Italians. Make that most of the time.
• Since the age of 12 I have been a surfer girl in my mind. In reality I have taken 2 lessons in 2 years.
• I haven’t made a bucket list, because I’m lazy. And I’m indecisive. Well, maybe I’m just lazy. Oh, I don’t know!
• I have yet to travel solo and the idea totally freaks me out, but I know I’ll do it one day and my boyfriend is my biggest supporter.
• I get eaten alive by mosquitos and it’s always in the worst places!
• I like to think of myself as the kind of person that doesn’t say no to an adventure. But I have no desire to ride a motorcycle.
• The only real thing on my bucket list before leaving Italy is riding a Vespa, in the hills of Tuscany, with wine —> CHECK!

Where have I been?

Total Countries: 16 (USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Czech Republic, Austria, United Kingdom, Ireland). Make that 17 if you count Vatican City.

Total Continents: 3 (North America, Oceania, Europe).

I have traveled in 12/50 United States of America.

I have lived in Sydney, Australia for 5 months and in that time traveled along the east coast of Australia including visiting; Brisbane, Cairns and Melbourne. But I didn’t get to do the traditional backpacker trail; I’m still debating if I’ll embark on it next time around!

I spent 6 days in New Zealand; wandering around Christchurch and bungy jumping in Queenstown. Followed closely by 6 days in Fiji, attempting to get to know the locals.

For a year and a half I lived in Florence, Italy. In Italy I have been all around Tuscany, to Perugia, Rome, the Amalfi Coast and Sardinia.

The best pizza I’ve had to date (and no I haven’t been to Naples yet) is from the Napolitano place around the corner from my apartment in Florence.

I celebrated my first New Year abroad 2 days after arriving in Florence by hopping on a plane to Amsterdam to surprise my Euro-born Aussie mates.

My boyfriend and I got a taste of backpacking life spending 3 weeks hosteling and hopping around Spain and Portugal.

I experienced a winter wedding in Leeds, England and a roller coaster two days in London, where I didn’t even get to see the Tower Bridge.

I celebrated St. Paddy’s Day with the Irish in the streets of Dublin and couchsurfed for the first time.

I dream of Croatia. A lot.

I have had the opportunity to work in Prague, Vienna, Munich, Corfu (Greece), Venice, Perugia, Cinque Terre, Verona and all over the Tuscan countryside.

Join me?