About

Chicago Marathon finish, 11 October 2009

Welcome to A Wandering Sole!

My name is Laura Walker, and I am a professional nomad & amateur runner embarking on a fascinating journey around the world. I left March for an 8 month trip, taking in what life has to throw my way and dishing up what I have to offer.

About Laura

I am a mid-twenties southern girl with a background in design. I caught the travel and adventure bug at a young age and haven’t been able to get rid of it since. I graduated from college in 2008, took a 10 week trip to Africa, and returned home to a crappy economy with $200 in my pocket. My sister and brother-in-law graciously let me move in with them, and shortly after, I found a job. And then I got antsy. So instead of waiting for the economy to turn around and for that dream job to appear from thin air, I took things into my own hands. I pulled out my Lonely Planet travel guide from last summer and started planning. I researched at least 100 countries and started to map my route. The trip planning was coming along nicely in October, when I completed my first marathon in Chicago. The race ultimately put a glitch into my plans; I wanted to run more marathons on my trip and therefore, had to come up with a new route. In December 2009, I took the plunge and bought a one-way plane ticket with no regrets.


A Wandering Sole’s Offerings

Here you will find writings about travel, culture, design, and running.  Through A Wandering Sole, you will read about new places, people, and adventures and experience these for yourself through photos. My ultimate goal is to reveal, that underneath the drastic cultural differences, there is a common bond among us all in this complex and ever-evolving world. Join me on my adventure around the globe!

Contact

I’m always open to comments or suggestions. If there is something you want to know, just ask. If there is something you would like to read about and you haven’t found it on my blog, request it. And if you just happen to be traveling anywhere remotely near me, give me a shout out!

Laura@awanderingsole.com
Note: Occasionally, I receive travel discounts or complimentary services in exchange for a review. I will always be honest- if I wouldn’t stay, do, or see it again, then I won’t put my stamp of approval on it. I hope you find valuable advice for your future travels :)

10 Responses to “About”

  1. Jolyn@Budgets are the New Black says:
    March 11, 2010 at 12:28 am

    Just found you randomly on twitter and thought your blog title was just too clever. What a wonderful, amazing adventure! My family has had the opportunity to travel and live in few countries (including Italy) but nothing like the round-the-world trips that so many bloggers and tweeters are doing. At least not yet! Looking forward to learning more about your volunteering opportunities and ways that you learn to travel frugally.

    Reply
  2. Cathi Lunceford says:
    March 11, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    Laura, I was so excited to get your calling card how cleaver and how exciting. I will keep up with you and can’t wait to check in an get all the scoop on your adventures. Let me know how I can make a donation as well. You are an amazing girl and I know you will make a difference in all the places you visit. Take care and I will check in on you later.
    Cathi Lunceford

    Reply
  3. Michaela Potter says:
    March 31, 2010 at 11:26 am

    So happy to have come across your site! And what a great way to use one of your passions (running) to get connected with other cultures and support them. Looking forward to following along!

    Cheers,
    Michaela

    Reply
  4. Sharmila says:
    April 4, 2010 at 6:01 pm

    Received your card and love it! The design is clever and fabulous. Loving reading your blog and tweets. It’s almost like I’m travelling with you (I wish!).

    Reply
    • Laura says:
      April 5, 2010 at 1:14 pm

      Thanks Sharmila! They’re cheesy but have proven very useful on the road so I don’t have to constantly find scrap paper & a pen.

      Reply
  5. johnny - onestep4ward.com says:
    April 6, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    hey laure,

    wow – i love your blog! the design is awesome :) have u got a planned route or taking it how it comes? i tend to go where the cheapest bus takes me :P worked well so far (4 years and still going!!)

    Reply
    • Laura says:
      April 7, 2010 at 3:30 am

      Hey Johnny-

      Thanks for stopping by! I have a rough itinerary as I need to go where I can find marathons and also where my budget will last. But there’s a lot of flexibility. I’m in Jordan now and next is Kenya. I’ll be going overland for 3-1/2 months in Africa and then 2 months in SE Asia, and 1 month in Nepal. It looks like you’d be able to give me a lot of advice for Asia considering your travels!

      Reply
  6. Emily says:
    April 21, 2010 at 10:44 pm

    Hi Laura,

    I found you via Google and I was wondering if you would mind answering some questions I have…I am headed to Watoto Wa Baraka in May and I have some questions for you about your experience! Please email me at emilyrtanner@gmail.com if you can!

    Thank you,
    Emily

    Reply
  7. Laura says:
    July 1, 2010 at 8:20 am

    Thanks! Please enlighten me on where ‘this part of the world’ that you are in. I’m always up for a visit!

    Reply

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