- When do you leave?
September 2003
- How long do you plan to be away?
1-2 Years
- How much have you saved?
$25,000 ++
- How old are you?
37
- Nationality
USA
- Where do you live now?
Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Occupation
Director of Events & Accountant
- Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
One more paycheck and I'm gone
- Have you traveled around the world before?
No
- What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
I plan on traveling for a month or so around the USA & Canada, then off to Guatemala on a Medical Mission the to the Galapagos, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia ..... then continuing east. I know I plan on going to Egypt, Madagascar, Africa and Europe. I do not have a set plan yet.
- Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
There are many factors. It is something I have always wanted to do. The trip to Italy in 2001 started the traveling bug. I think what really got me to do this was that I lost my brother last year and it is something we talked about but never did. In addition, I was supposed to meet my Uncle in Scotland for 6 months while he wrote a book and he just died of cancer.
Life is too short ... "life is a banquet and some poor sucker is starving to death!" (Auntie Mame)
- What is your biggest fear about this trip?
In some respects being a female and traveling alone.
- Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
Yes, most people are supportive. Many people are envious, some people think I am crazy. My closes friends planning on joining me on various portions of my travel.
- How much planning and preparing have you done?
Winged it a lot
- What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
To be honest I have not finished planning yet! I have not decided yet .... I am torn if I should bring my computer ... should I buy a good digital camera or a regular camera?????? I am still working on it. I figure that by October I will know.
- How do you think your round-the-world trip will change your life? How do you think it will affect and change you as a person?
I am open to any changes this trip will bring in my life. Hate to sound corny but whatever God puts in my path I am willing to accept. I hope that all the changes that occur to me are for the positive.
- If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
An opportunity of a lifetime for a discovery of the world and self.
- Why do you think people should go on round-the-world trips? Why not just take a regular old one- or two-week vacation instead?
I think that everyone should experience other countries, cities, cultures and people. I think it helps people view each other and themselves differently. One or two weeks does not give you a true perspective of where you are.
- What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
I do not know.
- Why do you like to travel?
Experiencing the beauty of the environment, the people and the culture that surrounds you. I also love learning .... what a great opportunity.
- What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Go for it .... do not live your life in fear!