Greetings and Salutations...I am posting from wonderful Des Moines

I wonder if I alone in this state. Not many out and about raw foodist to be seen, but honestly I haven't yet embarked on a thorough search...so...
I am not 100% raw at this time. I am not even vegetarian at this point. I have been in the past vegetarian, never vegan as of yet. I am not even sure what an actual vegan is. Do they avoid wearing leather too? What about hidden animal by-products in things? How far does one go to become vegan? Or are we speaking strictly ingesting, ie no eating of animal products?
I intend to work toward a diet of 100% raw. I don't know how long it will take and I don't know if that will mean I am vegan when I "arrive". I am merely on the journey.
Bright blessings,
Nix