- When do you leave?
- How long do you plan to be away?
1-2 Years - How much have you saved?
20,000 - How old are you?
27 - Nationality
USA - Where do you live now?
California, USA - Occupation
Teacher - 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?
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? - 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! - 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. - 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. - How much planning and preparing have you done?
Winged it a lot - 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! - 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. - 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! - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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?”
July 2005