Amy Scott

1. When do you leave?
   September 2004

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

3. How much have you saved?
   $18,500

4. How old are you?
   29

5. Nationality
   USA

6. Where do you live now?
   San Francisco, CA, USA

7. Occupation
   Book editor

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?
    Peru, Chile, Argentina, India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, London, maybe other places in Europe, one or two stops in Africa.

11. Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
    I regret not studying abroad in college, and always liked the idea of extended travel. After talking to some cousins who've done it, I decided it was something I really wanted to do and I needed to work at it (saving, etc.) or it would never happen.

12. What is your biggest fear about this trip?
    Being homesick, or, conversely, never wanting to come home. I've never traveled this long and have no idea how it'll affect me.

13. Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc. supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
    Everyone is hugely supportive, especially my parents. They think it'll be a great experience, they're glad I'm doing it, and some people will be coming to meet me along the way.

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)?
    I'm packing pretty light. Indispensable items? My journal, sunglasses, a good book, antibacterial wipes, and a good dose of confidence that I really can do this--and that I SHOULD be doing it.

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'm not sure. It'll certainly make me more aware of the challenges faced by people in other countries, and probably make me more motivated to do something about it. Maybe I'll come back wanting a completely different kind of career. I hope to become more patient, self-assured, and understanding.

17. If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
    I'm so glad I'm finally, actually, really doing this.

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?
    It's not for everyone, but I think if the idea appeals to you, you should do it. This isn't a vacation--it's hard work, but you'll learn a lot more about yourself, others, and the places you visit than you will being enclosed in the two-week-vacation bubble.

19. What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
    That they can't save enough to do it or that it's "too hard."

20. Why do you like to travel?
    To see new things, taste new foods, meet new people, experience new things. To expand my horizons, learn, and heighten my senses.

21. What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
    Start saving. Make it a priority, and the money will accumulate, even if you don't make very much (like me!). Start reading about places you'd like to go; it'll keep you excited and motivated.