Shauna Donfeld's Trip at a Glance
| | |
|---|---|
| Departure Year | 2005 |
| Duration | 1-2 Years |
| Route | I’m starting in India with some friends, it’ll be monsoon season, but that’s where they wanted to go! I’ll be there with them for a month, and once they leave I head over for an overland safari through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique…then back to India, making my way up to Nepal for a trek on the Annapurna Circuit…meet up with another friend to wing it through more of India and Asia…solo again for Australia and NZ…then South America? |
| Budget | 20,000 (~$34,000 in 2026 dollars) |
| Age at Departure | 27 |
| Occupation | Teacher |
Route
I’m starting in India with some friends, it’ll be monsoon season, but that’s where they wanted to go! I’ll be there with them for a month, and once they leave I head over for an overland safari through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique…then back to India, making my way up to Nepal for a trek on the Annapurna Circuit…meet up with another friend to wing it through more of India and Asia…solo again for Australia and NZ…then South America?.
2026 note: Route information from early 2000s travel planning; current conditions may differ significantly.
In Their Words
When do you leave?
July 2005How long do you plan to be away?
1-2 YearsHow much have you saved?
20,000How old are you?
27Nationality
USAWhere do you live now?
California, USAOccupation
TeacherIs this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
I’ll come back if they’ll have meHave you traveled around the world before?
NoWhat is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
I’m starting in India with some friends, it’ll be monsoon season, but that’s where they wanted to go! I’ll be there with them for a month, and once they leave I head over for an overland safari through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique…then back to India, making my way up to Nepal for a trek on the Annapurna Circuit…meet up with another friend to wing it through more of India and Asia…solo again for Australia and NZ…then South America?Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
I have always loved travelling, and it’s just the right time for me to fulfill my dream!What is your biggest fear about this trip?
The legs when I’m alone…the unknown is botht the most thrilling and the most scary aspect of the trip.Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
People have been incredible! They’re all a bit worried, especially my family, but I have gotten great support.How much planning and preparing have you done?
Winged it a lotWhat are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
8 weeks to go and I’m still not sure. I figure I can get anything I forget along the way. I don’t want to buy any new gear…but I am excited to test out my Keens!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 already has changed it in many ways…for the first time in my life I’m not thinking about the distant future. I know so much will change,
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This profile was originally published on BootsnAll. Budget figures have been adjusted for 2026 context.