- When do you leave?
July 2004
- How long do you plan to be away?
6-12 Months
- How much have you saved?
Zero so far...
- How old are you?
23
- Nationality
USA
- Where do you live now?
Los Angeles, California, USA
- Occupation
Currently unemployed
- Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
It's my career
- Have you traveled around the world before?
Yes
- What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
Europe - Asia - Australia/New Zealand - N. America (still haven't decided on the specific countries)
- Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I first backpacked across Europe in 2002 for about 5 weeks w/ a friend of mine. Then in 2003, I decided - my job isn't going anywhere, might as well travel - so I backpacked Europe again for 3 months...this time alone. I returned to the States in August and have been home a month. I find myself tired of living in L.A. and have a strong desire to do a RTW trip for a year. As for the influence - it was mainly meeting people who have done RTW trips.
- What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Running out of money.
- Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
It's a mix, however most people think that I should focus on finding a career and not just a job to raise money so I can spend it on travel.
- How much planning and preparing have you done?
Just Enough
- What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
JOURNAL!!!!!, CAMERA, PASSPORT, ATM/Credit Card, moneybelt, and sleepsheet...oh and some clothes.
- 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?
My trips always change me a bit - for the better. I don't know how it will change me - I guess that's the fun part of travelling - you won't really know until you do it.
- If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
Absolutely Amazing!
- 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?
You really can't get to know a place in 1-2 weeks - maybe a city but not a country. Also, I think the world would be a lot better if people had a greater understanding of each other's cultures.
- What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
Don't know.
- Why do you like to travel?
I like meeting people from different cultures, having the freedom to do whatever I want, and the opportunity to escape cruel reality and not have to "grow up".
- What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Don't have any right now - ask me after my trip.