Stacy Messer is a 31-year-old self-employed traveler from Los Angeles, California, USA, who set off on an open-ended round-the-world trip in 2002.
The Snapshot
- Departure: 2002
- Age at departure: 31
- Nationality: USA
- Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Duration: Indefinite
- Occupation: Self-employed
- Original budget: Not specified
- Regions: Oceania, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe
The Route
In Their Words
Here's what Stacy Messer shared about their RTW journey:
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
Sick and tired of having no quality of life at my old job. Have always wanted to travel, volunteer internationally, start my own adventure company, etc… Love adventure.
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Losing my laptop. Getting sick. Running out of money. Going to Morocco and Egypt.
What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Research, research, research. See tourist type stuff but more off the beaten path.
What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
You have to have tons of money.
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 think this trip will change my life for the better, and realizing money doesn’t make you happy but it sure does give you freedom. It will affect me in many ways. History, quality of life and what’s really important to me, friendships, worldwide knowledge, intellectual, etc.
What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
Backpacking stuff, laptop, cell phone, travel journal, etc… My shoes and laptop are most indispensable.
2026 Context
- Budget inflation: This traveler did not specify a budget, but early-2000s round-the-world costs are substantially higher in 2026 (roughly 75-85% cumulative inflation over the intervening years).