Welcome to Stowaway! This is my blog about travel, social justice, and pop culture. I post at least four times a week, so there’s always something for you to read. Weekly features include: My Kind of Town Monday (photos of different places in Chicago), Aesthetically Speaking (series of interviews with artists), and Where in the World Wednesday (photos from my travels around the world). Other recurring features include A Country a Month (research on countries I plan to visit), Running the Numbers (budgeting a world trip), and The Headly Surprise (feminist surprises in mainstream movies). Please stop by the Suggestion Box and give me some ideas on where to go next. Thanks for reading and enjoy!
Here’s my World Trip 2012-2014 travel plan (excerpted from The Plan, In Sum):
I’ve long been a fan of taking extended, multi-stop trips, and by the time I graduated college, I’d decided to travel the world. Several people have suggested various ways of accomplishing this goal, including doing it in many mini-trips, working with a volunteer organization, and going on a group tour. Thing is, I want to be moving, not vacationing, so I need a long period of time, and the thought of paying for a package tour running around the big tourist stops with my drunken peers is not appealing. I’d like to volunteer with various organizations, and there are some good ones out there, but most of them require you pay a fee, so that won’t work for the whole trip.
It comes back to me, a backpack, and the very necessary spirit of adventure. I’ll happily meet up with friends along the way, so if you have any place in particular that you’ve always wanted to visit, or if you’re fluent in any of the languages of the countries I’ll be visiting (please!), let me know.
For now, the idea is to go to New Zealand/Australia in January of 2013, then work my way up Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Transiberian Railway to Moscow, Eastern Europe, Western Africa, South Africa, and India. Back to the States to make a bit of money, then down to Central and South America, and possibly Antarctica.
All of it’s changeable, except the date of departure. I turn 30 in 2013, and I’ve said since I was 18 that I’d start this trip before I was 30, before I started to settle down, move up in a career, or feel tied to a particular place. Life isn’t over when you’re 30, but if you’re not careful, the urge to try new things and become a different and better person is. So I’m leaving September 1, 2012!
All content is copyright 2009-2012 Lisa Findley. All opinions are my own and do not represent those of my employer or my affiliates. All text and images are mine unless otherwise noted.
Lisa, your blog resignated with me because I’m in a similar situation. I’ve always loved traveling but after traveling alone for a month in europe last summer, I decided that I want to travel the world for a year before I turn 30. After looking at my financial situation, it looks like it will be in early 2015 when I’m at the tail end of my 30th year. I have been researching books, blogs, etc. to prepare me and keep me motivated. It’s also a little discouraging that my trip won’t be for another 3 years. By then I should have at least 50K saved. I know that I can travel with less than half of that amount but I want to have an extra cushion for a major catastrophe, a possible down payment on a house when I return, or the option of extending my travel. I hope I can stay motivated enough to wait three years. What have you done to keep you motivated for such a long time?
Thanks for commenting, Sheila! I think you’ll be surprised by how quickly three years goes by, especially if you have a good life right now. I’ve put a lot into my friendships and social life here at home, so that I’m not just in constant waiting mode. That way, the trip becomes an extension of your already great life, rather than a high point you have to forgo all other pleasures to work toward. Also, I think you’re doing a great thing by reading up in books and blogs; that helps to make the trip feel real and also refines where you want to go once you set out. Reading about the temples of Angkor Wat just reinforces for me that I want to go there, and that keeps me motivated.
The other possibility is going sooner. You mention having an extra cushion of funds, which is obviously smart, but it might be possible to have a smaller cushion and get out there a year or even two early. It’s worth thinking about; the closer I am to actually leaving, the more I think I was being too cautious earlier and should have just cast off last year. I’m not getting any younger.
I hope this helps! Thanks for reading, and do keep us updated on your own trip.
Hi Lisa! This is Suchaya from high school, hope you still remember me! So your sister Emily told me about your plan and I just wanted to let you know that I am currently living in SE Asia and I would love to see you when you come by. My home is still in Bangkok, but I am currently living and working in Malaysia. I’ll be moving to China in May 2012 and then Singapore in January 2013. Will your trip bring you to these places? My email is suchaya.s@gmail.com. Would love to hear from you!
Suchaya, of course I remember and adore you! I 100% want to meet up when I’m on your side of the world. I’m excited to see you again!
Hi Lisa. This is Meredith, we met at the chili party the other night. Your trip sounds amazing and I’m so glad that Sam pointed me toward your blog! I’ll definitely follow. (And you can check out my goofy little one at blog5b-dot-com (to avoid those nasty Web bots). Off the top of my head, I have friends in Bergen, Norway; London; and Glasgow who could show you around when you hit those spots. Good luck and I can’t wait to read more!
Hi Meredith, thanks for stopping by! It was great meeting you at the chili party. I will check out the 5Bs blog, and I will be in touch about connecting with your friends in various international locales.
I nominated you for the Sunshine Award! Check it out here: http://thoughtsonmybookshelf.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/my-day-just-got-a-little-brighter/
Wow, your trip sounds epic! I’m a broke student at the moment so will be waiting another few years before I can something like that, but I’m hoping to work my way around the world for the next decade! I’ve never been to West Africa..I hope you will blog about it so we can follow your adventure! Janet
Lisa, Thank you so much for following TravelingChicha! I look forward to hearing about your adventures and discussing travel with you! -Natalie Rice, TravelingChicha