Shauna Donfeld - Round-the-World Traveler

1. When do you leave?
   July 2005

2. How long do you plan to be away?
   1-2 Years

3. How much have you saved?
   20,000

4. How old are you?
   27

5. Nationality
   USA

6. Where do you live now?
   California, USA

7. Occupation
   Teacher

8. 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

9. Have you traveled around the world before?
   No

10. What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
    I'm starting in India with some friends, it'll be monsoon season, but that's where they wanted to go! I'll be there with them for a month, and once they leave I head over for an overland safari through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique...then back to India, making my way up to Nepal for a trek on the Annapurna Circuit...meet up with another friend to wing it through more of India and Asia...solo again for Australia and NZ...then South America?

11. 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 travelling, and it's just the right time for me to fulfill my dream!

12. What is your biggest fear about this trip?
    The legs when I'm alone...the unknown is botht the most thrilling and the most scary aspect of the trip.

13. Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
    People have been incredible! They're all a bit worried, especially my family, but I have gotten great support.

14. How much planning and preparing have you done?
    Winged it a lot

15. What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
    8 weeks to go and I'm still not sure. I figure I can get anything I forget along the way. I don't want to buy any new gear...but I am excited to test out my Keens!

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?
    It already has changed it in many ways...for the first time in my life I'm not thinking about the distant future. I know so much will change, that there is no point in thinking about waht's next.

17. If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
    I have never been more excited or scared (in a good way) in my life, fulfilling this dream come true!

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?
    "Your path dictated Known life conformed and secure Choose freedom, travel." -People kept asking me why I had to do a big trip, why my summers off wasn't enough. I went for a run awhile back, and this haiku (I know, random) came to mind.

19. What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
    You need tons of money...at least I hope it's a myth.

20. Why do you like to travel?
    There is nothing better than meeting people from different cultures, including the travel culture. Sharing experiences and new perspectives on life.

21. What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
    Just do it! Ten years from now you aren't going to say, "Why did I leave that comfy job and small apartment?"... but you very well might say, "Why didn't I take that trip of a lifetime?"