Renee Rankine

1. When do you leave?
   June 2002

2. How long do you plan to be away?
   I Ain't Never Comin' Back

3. How much have you saved?
   US$40,000

4. How old are you?
   34

5. Nationality
   USA

6. Where do you live now?
   Atlanta, Georgia, USA

7. Occupation
   Executive Assistant

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?
    Eastbound starting with Europe – basically following warm weather. There are approximately 54 countries that we would like to visit.

11. Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
    It has been a dream of mine since I was little, and now I have found someone that shares the same dream. Three years ago we started talking about it and we decided to do it!

12. What is your biggest fear about this trip?
    People pre-judging me because I am an American.

13. Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
    Everyone is very supportive, although my grandmother keeps wanting me to say I'll only be gone for 6 months. Some are jealous, but they shouldn't be because they could do it too.

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)?
    Personally, I don't want a heavy backpack and I know I can buy something if needed so I'm trying to keep the pack to 25 lbs. So – not a lot. Most dispensable items: my boots, earplugs and journal.

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?
    It will make me see things with a different, more compassionate, perspective. So many people take life and their surrounding area for granted. I want to appreciate each and every day, and I believe this trip will allow me to do so.

17. If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
    "It's a beautiful day, don't let it get away." – Bono

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?
    To gain as much knowledge as they can about the different cultures and peoples that surround them. The American dream – A big house, 2 nice cars (a big SUV), some kids and a great vacation of seeing Europe in 10 days – some people love that, but you can't see the "real world" in a week or two.

19. What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
    They don't have the time. Everyone has the time – it's just the fear of leaving your comfort zone.

20. Why do you like to travel?
    I love seeing new places, meeting new people and discovering new things to do! The world is an exciting place, and I don't want to miss seeing it.

21. What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
    Decide what you want to see/do, research those places and GO! Life is way too short, so take off and live out your dreams!

Follow Bid and Renée's two-plus year RTW trip with their travelogue, Chasing the Sun.