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Author: Sean Keener

Erica Takeuchi – Around-the-World Traveler

  1. When do you leave?
    April 2003

  2. How long do you plan to be away?
    6-12 Months

  3. How much have you saved?
    Hmm…about $11,000 usd. Wish I had more.

  4. How old are you?
    24

  5. Nationality
    USA

  6. Where do you live now?
    Out of my backpack.

  7. Occupation
    None…previously retail manager

  8. 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

  9. Have you traveled around the world
    before?

    No

  10. What is the route you plan to take/places
    you plan to visit?

    in case you’re reading this…i’m ON my rtw…
    Australia (east coast), Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia,
    Singapore, Bali, Paris/London (?), Portugal, Spain, Italy. Maybe Holland.

  11. Why did you decide to take this trip? What
    got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?

    Orginally wanted to revisit/live in Italy after studying there a few
    years ago…then I figured if I was going to be out anyway, might as well
    add a few things as well. Also, had never been to Asia before, except
    Japan (to visit family), which is definitely not a deep look at Asia.

  12. What is your biggest fear about this
    trip?

    Hmm…no fears. Just wish I had more money. Before I left, I was worried
    I didn’t have enough money.

  13. Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc.,
    supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the
    world?

    Yup. Everyone thinks it’s great I’m going to see and experience all kinds
    of new things. Some more concerned than others, but overall very
    supportive. Most people’s biggest worry is that I’m by myself.

  14. How much planning and preparing have you
    done?

    Just Enough

  15. What are you packing? What do you consider
    your most indispensable item(s)?

    Most indispensable…I guess my backpack. And my camera…oh yah, and I
    am really glad I have a really really great pair of comfy shoes.

  16. 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 opening up more and more to new experiences. And hopefully will
    prepare me for a career of travel (in the fashion industry).

  17. If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings
    about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it
    be?

    Every day is a new adventure.

  18. 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?

    1 or 2 week vacations really don’t give you the flexibility of time and
    place to experience the spontaneity of every day life in a new place.
    Longer trips give you the time to just BE.

  19. What is the biggest myth that people have
    about round-the-world traveling?

    Hmm…I think people believe RTW traveling is an incredibly lonely and
    solo type of traveling, but you really do meet a lot of peole along the
    way – like I said earlier, every day is an adventure!

  20. Why do you like to travel?
    I love being in new places, really seeing how life is different in other
    countries and cultures – and also how life can be so similar as well! I
    love experiencing new foods, new places. and new friends! I love to
    discover great hideaways down little alleys while wandering around. It
    all gives me a rush!

  21. What is your advice for people planning
    their own RTW trip?

    Plan whatever makes you happy and just follow your interests – you’ll be
    sure to end up with a trip you love. And just remember – it’s a lot easier
    than you probably thought it would be.