Nick Wusz - Around-the-World Traveler

1. When did you go on your RTW trip?
   May 2002-January 2003

2. How old were you when you took this trip?
   26

3. Including your air ticket and other expenses (from accommodation to souvenir-buying), about how much did your trip cost?
   $15000USD for 2

4. Nationality
   USA

5. Where do you live now?
   Prineville, Oregon, USA

6. Occupation
   
   Before your trip: Mechanical Engineer
   
   Now: Unemployed
   

   How did your travels affect your career when you got back?
   We are living in central Oregon, which isn't exactly known for it's engineering capabilities, so I can't blame the fact that I have been travelling for awhile or that the "economy is bad". There just aren't any jobs for me here. Soon I will have to buckle down and take a menial job just for some cash. Anyway, it's so beautiful here and cheap that I don't have to worry so much – it's all about your priorities I guess. My wife, who also travelled with me, is a nurse and she could basically choose where and when she wanted to work and for how much – takes a bit of pressure off me!

   What is the route you took/places you visited?
   Lived in London for two years, and we left there in May 2002. From there, in order: Czech, Poland, Slovakia, fly to Greece, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, fly to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, fly to Australia, fly to New Zealand, fly to Cook Islands, fly to Los Angeles.

   Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
   We met so many people that had travelled like this while we were living in London. They inspired us and made us realize how little exposure travelling gets in the USA. Such a shame!

   Out of all your experiences traveling around the world, what was the:
   

   • Best Moment
     Elephant trek in Lampang, Thailand

   • Worst Moment
     Hwy 6 in Cambodia (Poipet to Siem Reap)

   • Biggest Hurdle, Obstacle or Difficulty?
     Taking the time to appreciate everything

   • Biggest surprise?
     The beautiful and friendly people of Turkey

   Who is the most memorable person you met on your trip and why?
   We met this 65-year-old Japanese guy in Greece – travelling just like us, all by himself, with his rice cooker in his pack! His hobby is to travel, his wife's hooby is to make kimonos, so they each do their own thing a few months of the year. Awesome.

   How much planning and preparing did you do?
   Just Enough

   What was your favorite piece of gear?
   One of those Pitzl headlights – to have your hands free while trying to smash mozzies was key!

   What did you bring, that in hindsight you could've left at home?
   Nothing I can think of – just travel light – you can get all that stuff everywhere.

   How did your round-the-world trip change your life? How did it affect and change you as a person?
   It's all psychological. It seems that we have been through so much in such a little time, it's difficult to relate to anyone – even our "best" friends. I got the feeling that people think we are "cultured" now, and they feel threatened by that.

   It's frustrating when we get all the time – "tell us about your trip", and we start telling and the topic changes very quickly to their job, their car, money, etc. People arent interested. I am just thankful that I had a wonderful travelling partner, or I would be driven nuts with keeping it all inside.

   I have found myself keeping it all in unless someone pries it out, which isn't a good thing either, because even if it seems people don't listen sometimes they do. We feel more open-minded about things, and it was evident after being away from the USA for nearly 3 years how much racism and corruption exists here, that wasn't as obvious before we left – had we changed or had the country changed? We had, and people don't understand that... frustrating!

   If you had to sum up your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
   Something that should be mandatory for everyone – don't be scared to change your life!

   Are you planning more trips and travels for the future? Are you planning another round-the-world trip?
   We met a lot of people – travellers – that are doing this kind of trip before they "settle down" to I-don't-know-what, without any other plans to travel. I don't understand that at all. How can you go through such a mind-blowing thing and then never do it again? We for sure will travel again.

   Another RTW trip? Probobly not, because travelling to so many different places in 9 months is a bit overwhelming. My travelling style has changed to spending 3 months in one place rather than 3 months in 10 countries. Much more relaxing and rewarding that way. Takin 'er easy.

   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?
   That's the difference between a tourist and a traveller. What do you get out of a two-week tour of Europe, or two weeks in some all-inclusive resort in Mexico? Nothing is achieved – waste of money and time. On an RTW trip you can choose where and when and for how long – the flexibility when you have up to a year to do a trip is amazing.

   What is the most valuable thing you learned?
   People are the same everywhere. We all strive for the same things in life: family, money, "happiness". The only differences are small, and that was awesome for me to realize, and it helps me respect everyone I meet.

   What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
   Not sure.

   Why do you like to travel?
   Keeps my mind stimulated and sharp, and you meet lots of crazy characters. There is an immediate bond with other travellers you meet on the road, and it's fun being a representative of the USA and being nice and friendly when we get such a bad rap abroad.

   What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
   There is such a thing as too much travelling. Remember to spread your plan out and be prepared for it to change. It's OK to check out the Lonely Planets before you leave, but just remember, with or without those books, you will end up in the same places as everyone else. The travellers' route is very deep and it is hard to get out of the rut of the route sometimes – do it though! Those are your best times, when you see and hear no other travellers.