- When do you leave?
- How long do you plan to be away?
6-12 Months - How much have you saved?
US$3000 - How old are you?
21 - Nationality
USA - Where do you live now?
California, USA - Occupation
Student - 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?
Road trip from here (Northern California) to the tip of South America: Tierra Del Fuego. This means driving all through Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Brasil, and finally Argentina. Yeah! - Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I have always loved Latin America. In 2001 I spent 6 months studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I had an extraordinary time, but I regretted the fact that my obligations as a student kept me stationary in one place. I longed to get out and explore. So now, that’s just what I’m gonna do! - What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Getting robbed and/or car-jacked and/or kidnapped. - Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
Most people don’t really understand the magnitude and essence of a trip like this. They say, “Why don’t you just go to Europe?” Many also warn that I’m gonna get myself killed. There are a few, however, that get fired up about it and support what I’m doing. - How much planning and preparing have you done?
Just Enough - What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
I’m packing a LOT of stuff, you don’t want to hear the whole list right now. However, some items that I think are going to be important are: water purifier, tent/camping stuff, books, car supplies (extra gas, spare tire, etc.). - 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 think I will continue to learn about the world and its many cultures. The part of the world I have selected is often misunderstood by Americans. I look forward to gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the Latin American societies and cultures. But most of all, this trip will allow me to learn about myself. It will challenge me in many ways, and I will have to step up and rise to the occasion. I think I will come back a wiser, tougher, more compassionate, and more educated person. - If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
An adventure of exploration and introspection beckons me to traverse mother nature’s raw flesh. - 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?
One or two weeks is not enough time to really learn something about a different culture. Plus, when you’re travelling for an extended period of time, you never get into a routine – everything is fresh all the time. One to two weeks may be fun, but it is less likely to have a permanent and profound impact on your life. - What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
I don’t know. - Why do you like to travel?
I can’t explain it, I’m addicted. Every day is a brand new experience, one you’ve never had before and probably never even imagined. One learns the most by travelling. Travelling fosters compassion and understanding amongst citizens of the Earth. It also helps to alleviate negative and/or unfounded stereotypes about other cultures/peoples. Plus, it is just fun! - What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Let your soul ascend to the surface and let it guide your trip.
September 2003