Bobbi Aqua

1. When do you leave?
   December 2003

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

3. How much have you saved?
   enough

4. How old are you?
   60

5. Nationality
   USA

6. Where do you live now?
   East Hampton, New York, USA

7. Occupation
   Acupuncturist and Herbalist

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?
    NYC - South Pacific - New Zealand - Australia - Africa - Asia - Europe - South America - USA

11. Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
    I am at a crossroads in my life and am on a part spiritual vision quest and part research project. I am working on gathering materal about Indigenous People and their healing techniques particularly herbal medicine

12. What is your biggest fear about this trip?
    I don't know if I have a biggest fear. I have some concern about staying healthy, loneliness, certain living conditions and finding the people for my research.

13. Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
    Yes, very!!

14. How much planning and preparing have you done?
    Just Enough

15. What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
    Herbal and Western Medicine and suppilies. Just enough clothing and money.Technical equipment. Proper Medical Suppilies is the most important. Also the equipment to document what I find.

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 really have no idea but I hope it will greatly expand my conciousness and help me to find more ways of being in service in the world.

17. If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
    Awesome adventure with unlimiting potential.

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?
    When you live with people who have a different lifestyle with you it makes you more sensitive and more caring about the planet. In a short vacation it is hard to connect with how others live and that is what American's in particular need to do.

19. What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
    It's too time consuming and too expensive and not practical.

20. Why do you like to travel?
    I have always loved traveling. I like meeting people who have a different way of life and I can learn from them. I feel that as an American I have a duty to help others who have less and help my people to realize there are people in the world who are downline from them in a way and that our consumption has consequences for these people. I am also interested in preserving the ancient truths and spiritual connections and medicines so they will not get lost by our modernization and technology.

21. What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
    Do It!!!