Ann Cecilia McGovern - Round-the-World Traveler

1. When do you leave?
   January 2006

2. How long do you plan to be away?
   6-12 Months

3. How much have you saved?
   7000

4. How old are you?
   28

5. Nationality
   USA

6. Where do you live now?
   Colorado, USA

7. Occupation
   teacher (piano, yoga)

8. Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
   It's my career

9. Have you traveled around the world before?
   No

10. What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
    I'd like to visit SouthEast Asia and India (most of all), but I'd also like to visit New Zealand and Australia. I'd like to end in Europe. There are many other places I'd like to visit, but I don't know what's safe and I don't have a huge budget.

11. Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
    I've traveled a bit in my life, enough to spark my interest. I spent 5 years in France during High school and College and know Europe and the States pretty well. What is inspiring me to take this extensive trip? ... a strong desire to challenge myself, to see the world, to find out more about myself, adventure, to find out where I most want to be. It's a hard question to answer. I have been feeling pulled to do this for a while. I'm just now getting up the nerve. This trip feels like a spiritual journey for me.

12. What is your biggest fear about this trip?
    Money. Danger's as a female traveler alone.

13. Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
    Most of them think it's a very good. They are worried about me going. They don't really understand why I'm going.

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)?
    I haven't packed yet. I'm thinking that I won't pack too much, a backpack full. Indispensable items? My passport, my tickets, my wallet, my toothbrush and a couple changes of clothes. I feel a bit lost, when thinking about what to pack.

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?
    I think that it will feed my confidence. This is a solo trip that will enrich me in so many ways. Seeing new cultures, going through challenges, meeting new people, being on my own. I could not possibly know how it will change and affect me ... I do know that it will be deeply!

17. If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
    This trip represent a pivitol point in my life. A "coming into my own". Becoming my own women. I'm excited and ready!

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?
    This is not a vacation. This is a journey. I don't know what to expect. This is not comfortable or easy. This is a challenge.

19. What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
    That it's easy.

20. Why do you like to travel?
    I love language. I love culture. I love art and music. I love people. All of them ... and I want to see them.

21. What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
    "Do it!" But I'm the one that needs advise!