Elise Marie Brodeur

1. When do you leave?
   September 2003

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

3. How much have you saved?
   $25,000 ++

4. How old are you?
   37

5. Nationality
   USA

6. Where do you live now?
   Gainesville, Florida, USA

7. Occupation
   Director of Events & Accountant

8. Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
   One more paycheck and I'm gone

9. Have you traveled around the world before?
   No

10. What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
    I plan on traveling for a month or so around the USA & Canada, then off to Guatemala on a Medical Mission the to the Galapagos, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia ..... then continuing east. I know I plan on going to Egypt, Madagascar, Africa and Europe. I do not have a set plan yet.

11. Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
    There are many factors. It is something I have always wanted to do. The trip to Italy in 2001 started the traveling bug. I think what really got me to do this was that I lost my brother last year and it is something we talked about but never did. In addition, I was supposed to meet my Uncle in Scotland for 6 months while he wrote a book and he just died of cancer.

    Life is too short ... "life is a banquet and some poor sucker is starving to death!" (Auntie Mame)

12. What is your biggest fear about this trip?
    In some respects being a female and traveling alone.

13. Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
    Yes, most people are supportive. Many people are envious, some people think I am crazy. My closes friends planning on joining me on various portions of my travel.

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)?
    To be honest I have not finished planning yet! I have not decided yet .... I am torn if I should bring my computer ... should I buy a good digital camera or a regular camera?????? I am still working on it. I figure that by October I will know.

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 am open to any changes this trip will bring in my life. Hate to sound corny but whatever God puts in my path I am willing to accept. I hope that all the changes that occur to me are for the positive.

17. If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
    An opportunity of a lifetime for a discovery of the world and self.

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?
    I think that everyone should experience other countries, cities, cultures and people. I think it helps people view each other and themselves differently. One or two weeks does not give you a true perspective of where you are.

19. What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
    I do not know.

20. Why do you like to travel?
    Experiencing the beauty of the environment, the people and the culture that surrounds you. I also love learning .... what a great opportunity.

21. What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
    Go for it .... do not live your life in fear!