- When do you leave?
- How long do you plan to be away?
6-12 Months - How much have you saved?
Zero so far… - How old are you?
23 - Nationality
USA - Where do you live now?
Los Angeles, California, USA - Occupation
Currently unemployed - Is this job one that you actually like, or
are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
It’s my career - Have you traveled around the world
before?
Yes - What is the route you plan to take/places
you plan to visit?
Europe – Asia – Australia/New Zealand – N. America (still haven’t decided
on the specific countries) - Why did you decide to take this trip? What
got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I first backpacked across Europe in 2002 for about 5 weeks w/ a friend of
mine. Then in 2003, I decided – my job isn’t going anywhere, might as
well travel – so I backpacked Europe again for 3 months…this time
alone. I returned to the States in August and have been home a month. I
find myself tired of living in L.A. and have a strong desire to do a RTW
trip for a year. As for the influence – it was mainly meeting people who
have done RTW trips. - What is your biggest fear about this
trip?
Running out of money. - Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc.,
supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the
world?
It’s a mix, however most people think that I should focus on finding a
career and not just a job to raise money so I can spend it on travel. - How much planning and preparing have you
done?
Just Enough - What are you packing? What do you consider
your most indispensable item(s)?
JOURNAL!!!!!, CAMERA, PASSPORT, ATM/Credit Card, moneybelt, and
sleepsheet…oh and some clothes. - 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?
My trips always change me a bit – for the better. I don’t know how it
will change me – I guess that’s the fun part of travelling – you won’t
really know until you do it. - If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings
about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it
be?
Absolutely Amazing! - 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?
You really can’t get to know a place in 1-2 weeks – maybe a city but
not a country. Also, I think the world would be a lot better if people
had a greater understanding of each other’s cultures. - What is the biggest myth that people have
about round-the-world traveling?
Don’t know. - Why do you like to travel?
I like meeting people from different cultures, having the freedom to do
whatever I want, and the opportunity to escape cruel reality and not have
to “grow up”. - What is your advice for people planning
their own RTW trip?
Don’t have any right now – ask me after my trip.
July 2004