No, not drug money! I just liked the pictures. =)
Many friends have asked how we’re going to be able to travel around, why we’re doing it, how much it will cost, etc. I recently found a Q&A at BootsNAll and thought it was perfect to start the conversation.
When do you leave?
July/August 2011
How long do you plan to be away?
10 months
How much have you saved?
$25k – $30k (a budget for $2,500/month)
How old are you?
G: 30. S: 29.
Nationality
G: US/Guatemala S: US/Iran
Where do you live now?
San Francisco
Occupation
G: PhD Engineer and Entrepreneur. S: MD
Is this job one that you actually like, or are you only doing it to pay for the trip?
It’s our career
Have you traveled around the world before?
No but we traveled South America for 2/3 months and individually have traveled Europe, Mexico and happy gal lived in Spain twice (1 month and 6 months)
What is the route you plan to take/places you plan to visit?
Europe – Middle East – Brazil/Argentina – India – South East Asia – Australia – New Zeland
Why did you decide to take this trip? What got you into this type of travel, and/or influenced you to go?
G: My urge to travel for long periods of time (instead of a one to two week vacation) is for the freedom that comes with it and the learning that awaits. More importantly it is the fear of the path society has taught us: go to school, get a good job, get married, buy a house, have kids, retire — I want to do all of that but I want to add “mini-retirements” between all those milestones. 🙂
S: When we were traveling in South America, we met a couple that was traveling around the world for their honeymoon. From then on, it was something I always wanted to do. I like to explore and traveling without a strict timeline gives me this opportunity.
What is your biggest fear about this trip?
Having to cancel our trip for x, y, or z reason.
Are your family, friends, co-workers, etc., supportive of you? What is their opinion of your going around the world?
G: Most of them. Some friends insist I stay behind and capitalize on some business opportunities but I realized that business opportunities will always be there. [So will the travel opportunities but I’d rather travel at the moment]. =)
S: The majority seem supportive, but I think some are envious, some are scared, and some don’t understand the desire to travel around the world.
How much planning and preparing have you done?
We’ve called AAdvantage desk a few times to learn the rules of the One World Explorer but other than that — not much!
What are you packing? What do you consider your most indispensable item(s)?
G: Haven’t packed yet but found a backpack that Pipe was using and I fell in love with it! For me, the most indispensable item will be clean underwear and a good backpack!
S: I pack way too much and it will be tough to live with only one backpack! The most indispensable item for me is a pair of versatile shoes. Any recommendations?
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?
G: Those are tough questions … Will it change my life? YES! How … hopefully more patient, more loving, more humble, more accepting, more human — whatever that means
S: It will make me realize what basic things you need to live and be happy. I hope I will become a more empathetic person and learn more about different cultures.
If you had to sum up your thoughts/feelings about your round-the-world trip in one sentence, what would it be?
G: Impossible to do but here is an effort: Let it flow!
S: I’m nervous and excited because we leave in only a few months!
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?
G: To learn how to have the freedom to be who they want to be, to go where they want to go, to do what they want to do
S: If you enjoy travel, an extended around the world trip may help you reflect and appreciate your life.
What is the biggest myth that people have about round-the-world traveling?
I’ve heard that it costs too much, too dangerous, it affects your career, etc. ALL LIES!
Why do you like to travel?
To learn about other cultures, to eat local foods, to see beautiful places, to speak other languages, to be free!
What is your advice for people planning their own RTW trip?
Don’t plan too much and just DO IT!