- When do you leave?
June 2004
- How long do you plan to be away?
6-12 Months
- How much have you saved?
20,000 usd
- How old are you?
27
- Nationality
USA
- Where do you live now?
Michigan, USA
- 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?
No
- What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
Detroit - London - Kenya - Tanzania - Malawi - Zambia - Zimbabwe - Botswana - Namibia - South Africa - Australia - Peru - Bolivia - Chile - Argentina - Antarctica - Back to US!
- Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
Have always taken every opportunity to travel the world, but only in 2-3 weeks at a time. When I learned that my company offered sabbaticals, I HAD to take advantage of it!
- What is your biggest fear about this trip?
I will miss spending quality time with my family and friends.
- Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
Yes, they think I'm a bit nuts, but are all really excited for me.
- How much planning and preparing have you done?
Just Enough
- What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
Light, non cotton clothes, non wrinkle clothes. Probably too many electronics.
- 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?
Can't predict HOW it will change me, but it definately will.
- If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
Expecting the unexpected.
- 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 those that are willing to make the necessary sacrifices will be hugely rewarded.
- What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
That you have to win the lottery to afford it.
- Why do you like to travel?
New adventures, new people, new cultures.
- What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Everyone has to do it their own way. Listen to other people's advice, but take it as just that - other people's advice.
Follow Michelle's trip via her BootsnAll Travel Blog: Exploring the Modern Day Pangaea