GoBackpackingGoBackpackingJoin me on a solo trip around the world! I will write about the planning and saving process, logistics, and my personal hopes and fears. Once the trip begins, I'll be posting updates and photos from New Zealand to Brazil. Articles
New York State of Mind
2007-11-29 21:46:00 I made it…..to New York City! One small step today, in preparation for one giant leap tomorrow. I estimate from the time I leave for JFK airport, to the time I arrive at Chez Nelson on Moorea, I’ll be in transit a good 20-24 hours (if no delays). I thought I’d need to reach ... More About: Mind , State , State Of Mind
Poll Results: The Backpack Weighs?
2007-11-29 07:35:00 Thanks for all the votes on my poll yesterday. I’m happy to report I pack lighter than you think, as the majority of voters overestimated my pack’s weight. I think Stu was the one person to vote 15 lbs (and he reminded me I should be trying to leave room for additional items ... More About: Backpack , Results , Poll , Weigh
Poll: How Much Do You Think My Full Backpack Weighs?
2007-11-28 07:00:00 When picking an answer, disregard the water bottle in the photos. Note: There is a poll within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll. Sponsored By: Rail Connection - Experience the romance, adventure, convenience and reliability of rail travel backpack, gear, Pre trip MusingsShare This More About: Backpack , Poll , Full , Weigh
Packing List
2007-11-27 08:00:00 I created a really cool interactive packing list using Flickr notes. Please check it out here (opens new window). Below is the photo without the cool mouse-over feature. My itemized list below looks like a lot, however as you can see in the photo, it’s not much! Trip Inventory (all pictured unless ... More About: List , Packing
Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta
2007-11-26 23:55:00 If I could pick a theme song for today, it was “Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta ” by Geto Boys off the Office Space soundtrack. It’s from a montage scene where Peter appears to be living a care-free life at work, knocking over his cubicle walls, and outside work, fishing with Jennifer ... More About: Planning
Thank You?s
2007-11-26 05:35:00 With the days to departure slipping away like sands through the hourglass, I want to thank the following people for their support and encouragement: Family - Mom and Dad - I have not forgotten you would like grandchildren some day. I’ll pencil that into my next 5-year plan. If nothing else, take heart that when ... More About: Hank
Medical and Travel Insurance Update
2007-11-24 16:29:00 IMG denied my application for their Global Medical Insurance plan because of my recent knee condition and treatment. I have a much better understanding of why so many people are frustrated and uninsured in America as a result. It seems unfair that insurers will deny coverage for people who are (or were recently) ... More About: Travel , Planning , Travel Insurance
Video: Absinthe Shot
2007-11-22 03:00:00 Nothing says post-resignation, pre-Thanksgiving fun like a shot of 140-proof absinthe! Sponsored By: World Nomads - Online travel insurance affiliated with Lonely Planet and BootsnAll. partying, Pre trip Musings, video, workShare This More About: Video , Shot , Absinthe
Hula Girls and Leis Mark My Goodbye at Work
2007-11-21 14:00:00 I walked into work Tuesday morning to find a giant “Aloha” banner behind my cubicle, and hula girls bobbing around. Everyone on my team had a lei on their seat, and they actually got me to wear them for part of the day. The photo above is with my coworker Adilah. Another ... More About: Girls , Work , Goodbye , Mark , Hula
Hula Girls and Leis Mark My Goodbye at Work
2007-11-21 14:00:00 I walked into work Tuesday morning to find a giant “Aloha” banner behind my cubicle, and hula girls bobbing around. Everyone on my team had a lei on their seat, and they actually got me to wear them for part of the day. The photo above is with my coworker Adilah. Another ... More About: Girls , Work , Goodbye , Mark , Hula
Packing Preview
2007-11-21 03:33:00 Liz sent me a question about what I intend to pack, however my e-mail back to her was returned, so I thought I’d share with everyone instead. I will post a more comprehensive packing list before departing. In the meantime, I can answer your question because I’m decidedly low maintenance (or so I like to ... More About: Preview , Planning , Packing
Packing Preview
2007-11-21 03:33:00 Liz sent me a question about what I intend to pack, however my e-mail back to her was returned, so I thought I’d share with everyone instead. I will post a more comprehensive packing list before departing. In the meantime, I can answer your question because I’m decidedly low maintenance (or so I like to ... More About: Preview , Planning , Packing
Attending the 2008 Australian Open
2007-11-20 03:54:00 My friend Chris joined me for MLS Cup ‘07. He’s a big tennis fan, and we started talking about majors on the metro ride to the match. I remembered the Australia n Open is normally very early in the new year, so when I asked where and when it was held, I found out ... More About: Australian , 2008 , Australian Open
Attending the 2008 Australian Open
2007-11-20 03:54:00 My friend Chris joined me for MLS Cup ‘07. He’s a big tennis fan, and we started talking about majors on the metro ride to the match. I remembered the Australia n Open is normally very early in the new year, so when I asked where and when it was held, I found out ... More About: Australian , 2008 , Australian Open
10 of My Favorite Posts (from the Archives)
2007-11-17 04:38:00 I’ve posted 239 times in the last 10 months and that’s A LOT of writing. I thought it’d be a good time to look back and pluck out a few of my favorite pre-trip posts for the newer readers. Saving for a Trip Around the World (6-part series) Couchsurfing - A Brilliant Social Network for Travelers ... More About: Blogging , Posts , Archives , Favorite , Favor
10 of My Favorite Posts (from the Archives)
2007-11-17 04:38:00 I’ve posted 239 times in the last 10 months and that’s A LOT of writing. I thought it’d be a good time to look back and pluck out a few of my favorite pre-trip posts for the newer readers. Saving for a Trip Around the World (6-part series) Couchsurfing - A Brilliant Social Network for Travelers ... More About: Blogging , Posts , Archives , Favorite , Favor
Random Updates
2007-11-15 05:17:00 CAR - My speedy Jetta is officially in the hands of another person, and I’m going to be truckin’ around in my Dad’s Ford Escape for the next two weeks (thanks!). DRINKS - Thursday is my “goodbye” happy hour at work. I’ve shared this blog address with a few people so far, however ... More About: Random , Updates
Random Updates
2007-11-15 05:17:00 CAR - My speedy Jetta is officially in the hands of another person, and I’m going to be truckin’ around in my Dad’s Ford Escape for the next two weeks (thanks!). DRINKS - Thursday is my “goodbye” happy hour at work. I’ve shared this blog address with a few people so far, however ... More About: Random , Updates
Mission Possible: Couchsurf Tahiti
2007-11-13 05:14:00 At first, I thought staying at campground/hostel Chez Nelson on the island of Moorea in French Polynesia was a godsend. It’s only $20 the first night, $16 each additional night for a dorm, and several people have recommended it in the BootsnAll forum. Then I checked Couchsurfing on a whim, and was surprised ... More About: Tahiti , Mission , Missi
Mission Possible: Couchsurf Tahiti
2007-11-13 05:14:00 At first, I thought staying at campground/hostel Chez Nelson on the island of Moorea in French Polynesia was a godsend. It’s only $20 the first night, $16 each additional night for a dorm, and several people have recommended it in the BootsnAll forum. Then I checked Couchsurfing on a whim, and was surprised ... More About: Tahiti , Mission , Missi
Driver Found - VW Sold - Good Times Ahead
2007-11-11 21:46:00 Less than a week after posting my car for sale on Craig’s List, I’ve taken a cash deposit based on a sale price in my preferred range, and expect to finalize the sale (upon receipt of a cashier’s check) within the next few days. I’ve learned a few things about selling a car, and ... More About: Driver , Times , Good , Good Times , Sold
Driver Found - VW Sold - Good Times Ahead
2007-11-11 21:46:00 Less than a week after posting my car for sale on Craig’s List, I’ve taken a cash deposit based on a sale price in my preferred range, and expect to finalize the sale (upon receipt of a cashier’s check) within the next few days. I’ve learned a few things about selling a car, and ... More About: Driver , Times , Good , Good Times , Sold
Choosing a Malaria Medication
2007-11-09 03:31:00 I wrapped up my final immunizations this week, knocking out my third Hepatitis B shot, Meningitis (for all those dorm style accommodations), and the Flu. Mala ria doesn’t exist in Tahiti, New Zealand or Australia, so I won’t need to start popping pills until about January 27, 2009 - two days before I fly to Bali. ... More About: Planning , Medication
Choosing a Malaria Medication
2007-11-09 03:31:00 I wrapped up my final immunizations this week, knocking out my third Hepatitis B shot, Meningitis (for all those dorm style accommodations), and the Flu. Mala ria doesn’t exist in Tahiti, New Zealand or Australia, so I won’t need to start popping pills until about January 27, 2009 - two days before I fly to Bali. ... More About: Planning , Medication
Driver Wanted - Selling My 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T
2007-11-07 03:56:00 I posted my car for sale on Craig’s List, AutoTrader (and its affiliates), and VWVortex. My goal is to have a committed buyer in place no later than Thanksgiving (Nov 22), given I leave the DC area on Nov 29. Sponsored By: World Nomads - Online travel insurance affiliated with Lonely Planet and BootsnAll! Planning , savingsShare This More About: Selling , Driver , Wanted
Driver Wanted - Selling My 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T
2007-11-07 03:56:00 I posted my car for sale on Craig’s List, AutoTrader (and its affiliates), and VWVortex. My goal is to have a committed buyer in place no later than Thanksgiving (Nov 22), given I leave the DC area on Nov 29. Sponsored By: World Nomads - Online travel insurance affiliated with Lonely Planet and BootsnAll! Planning , savingsShare This More About: Selling , Driver , Wanted
Destination Tahiti
2007-11-06 04:48:00 A few months ago, I had read advice suggesting it’s best to wait until about a month before your planned departure to buy airfare, otherwise you’ll spend all your time worrying about whether something will derail you from using those expensive tickets. It made sense to me, and I cut it real close. Last Friday, ... More About: Planning , Tahiti , Destination
Moving Day (and Surviving Uhaul)
2007-11-05 01:51:00 After a busy final day of packing, an uncomfortable night of sleeping on the floor listening to a domestic dispute at 2am, and a nightmare about large scorpions emerging from under my oven, I awoke to the unpleasant task of picking up my 14′ Uhaul truck. Around 8:15am, I drove to the local Uhaul location, where ... More About: Moving , Vivi
Friday - My Everything Day
2007-11-02 17:20:00 This might be my busiest day off ever. It began Thursday night with DC United’s home playoff game. Sadly, they lost the 2-game series by a goal, and their season is over, however it was not for lack of screaming my lungs off and cursing like a madman. Yes, I was ... More About: Friday
Pack It Up, Pack It In
More articles from this author:2007-10-31 03:57:00 I’ve got 3 days left in my apartment before I put some select belongings in storage, and move in with my parents (hi Dad!). Check out the video for a final shot of my bachelor pad. Sponsored By: Rail Connection - Experience the romance, adventure, convenience and reliability of rail travel family, home, ... More About: Pack 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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