- When do you leave?
- How long do you plan to be away?
1-2 Years - How much have you saved?
enough for 1-2 years - How old are you?
42 - Nationality
USA - Where do you live now?
New York City, USA - Occupation
Tech Manager - Is this job one that you actually like, or
are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
I’ll come back if they’ll have me - Have you traveled around the world
before?
No - What is the route you plan to take/places
you plan to visit?
Starting in Barcelona, then on to Southeast Asia, then Australia, then ??? - Why did you decide to take this trip? What
got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I want to visit so many places, but can’t do it with the paltry two week
vacations that you get in the U.S. I can’t stand the thought of sitting
in a retirement home when I’m old and looking back on my life with regret
for things I haven’t done. - What is your biggest fear about this
trip?
Running out of money, having things stolen (money, passport) - Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc.,
supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the
world?
For the most part, they are supportive. Some have expressed their own
fears and have difficulty understanding why I would walk away from a
high-paying career and benefits. - How much planning and preparing have you
done?
Just Enough - What are you packing? What do you consider
your most indispensable item(s)?
Minimal amount of clothes, digital camera, toiletries, book. - 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?
Not sure, but I hope it will change my perspective. - If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings
about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it
be?
Apprehensive but excited. - 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 only live once and you should make the most of it. For myself, I feel
this is more of an imperative than a choice. - What is the biggest myth that people have
about round-the-world traveling?
That there is a lot of danger in traveling. I feel that overall,
traveling is quite safe. The vast majority of people that I have
encountered while traveling are incredibly helpful, welcoming and friendly. - Why do you like to travel?
New sights, meeting new people, the feeling of true freedom. - What is your advice for people planning
their own RTW trip?
Save, plan, go
November 2003