Amy Minton
Round-the-World Traveler Round the World Travel GuideYour One-stop Source to Plan & Book Around-the-World Trips
Definitely will visit: China, Amsterdam, France, UK
Will possibly visit: South America, Australia, Alaska
November 2001-September 2002
30
Estimate 40-50K
USA
Still on the trip
Will advise when I re-enter workforce. But my bosses and co-workers were very encouraging before I left and offered to help with "re-entry."
Visited: Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos
I took this trip because I wanted to see the world and couldn't manage to do it on 2 weeks vacation a year. I was also tired of the corporate routine and wanted some time off. Ed Hasbrouck's The Practical Nomad was a huge influence as it encouraged me to take more time to travel and visit Asia. BootsnAll travelogues were also a big influence – reading about other people who quit their jobs and took off is very reassuring.
A tour guide from Ho Chi Minh City. He used to work for the US Army during the Vietnam War and fought for South Vietnam. After 1975 he was forced to be a cyclo driver and didn't dare speak a word of English for 15 years. When tourism opened up, he became a driver and later a tour guide. After a difficult life, he was extremely gracious and thrilled to show us his country.
To the Nth Degree
LL Bean backpack
Clothes – only need a couple changes.
Realizing that I am fortunate to have many opportunities and choices in my life. Many people in Southeast Asia do not have choices and must live difficult lives.
"So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains, and we never even know we have the keys" – The Eagles
I plan to travel more in the future than I did before the RTW trip. Would definitely consider another RTW trip.
I don't need much to survive. A backpack with a few clothes, first aid kit, tennis shoes and peanut butter can go a long way.
That they can't ask for extended time off from work.
Seeing the sites, learning about other cultures, meeting people.
Just do it. Save your money and go. Your life, a job and friends will all be there when you return.
