Marquita Elizabeth Prinzing was 22 years old when planning their round-the-world journey in 2009. Based in Seattle, WA, USA, Marquita was working as student before embarking on their adventure. About the journey, Marquita shared, "Well, I will have learned spanish to visit mexico, want to learn arabic, have a friend in france and singapore and have really good friends in South Africa."
The Snapshot
Age: 22
Nationality: USA
Duration: 3-6 months
Budget: USD 1,500 (approximately 2300 USD in 2026)
Departure: 2009
The Route
Regions: Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, Central America
mexico, marseiles/france, singapore, somewhere in the arab lands, maybe ireland and definately South Africa
Spanning multiple continents, Marquita's itinerary covered europe, southeast asia, africa, central america, offering exposure to diverse cultures, landscapes, and travel experiences.
Note: This interview was conducted in 2009. The travel landscape, accommodation costs, transportation infrastructure, visa requirements, and accessibility have evolved significantly by 2026.
In Their Words
Q: How long do you plan to be away?
1-6 Months
Q: How much have you saved?
1500
Q: What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
mexico, marseiles/france, singapore, somewhere in the arab lands, maybe ireland and definately South Africa
Q: Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
Well, I will have learned spanish to visit mexico, want to learn arabic, have a friend in france and singapore and have really good friends in South Africa.
Q: What is your biggest fear about this trip?
money and taking off of work and education.
Q: Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
sure, they don’t care.
2026 Context
- This profile reflects round-the-world travel perspectives from the mid-2000s. The original budget of USD 1,500 would require approximately 2300 USD in 2026 when accounting for inflation and increased travel costs.
- The destinations and routes mentioned have experienced significant changes in accommodation costs, transportation infrastructure, visa policies, and overall accessibility to travelers.
- The RTW travel community, available travel tools, digital connectivity, and shared travel resources have evolved considerably over the past two decades, creating both new opportunities and challenges for contemporary travelers.