"Opportunity Knock on my Travel Door" staindesign's Profile

HEY EVERYONE:

Happy New Year 2012!

Back from Portland, really great hiking there!

I've been planning my world tour for about 2 years so far. A starting date has not been decided nor many of the details. It is about perspective, Edward Hasbrock put the idea of at least a year in tangible terms. His book the Practical Nomad gave me perspective of what a gift a trip around the world would actually mean. Logistics are important, but awareness is all the preparation. Hasbrock's main message that I received was to learn to enjoy and let the adventure happen to you. Planning is impossible.

Step 1: What do I need to see? Edward Hasbrock suggests choosing 4-6 destinations, then as you travel from one destination to the other that is open and basically the universe decides what you are going to experience. He does provide important information to be safe and how to actually do things as efficient (money & time) as possible.

I've choose: (Machu Pichu) Peru, Antartica, Nepal, Morocco, Iceland or Finland, & Borneo

Step 2: How to afford it? Obviously, 1 yr will take some serious money management. If I want to get the experiences that I desire; to live like the locals, to really learn about a place; I might stay in one place longer. Thus, the price of traveling by plane & bus is quite a bit more expensive than a homestay or a hostel. Hasbrock gave rough estimates averaging $15,000 - $18,000USD for a years' trip.

Step 3: Getting your home life in your home country arranged where it can be left for a year. Figuring out what to do with your home/morgage, car, student loans, pets, family, etc.

Step 4: Setting departure date & Going!

Life creates hurdles, but until I can actually set out on my dream trip I will continue to day dream about the places I will visit and read about what I may see. Sometimes it is hard to think globally, this tiny blue marble floating in a huge gallaxy has so much to offer. I have regional trips I desire. To spend 6 months back packing from the north of South America to Patagonia in the south would be fullfilling if i never get my world tour. More time in a smaller space would create an intamacy that I might not achieve otherwise. Another region of interest is Southeast Asia, so many cultures in a span of not much actual physical land is intriguing.

There is one lesson I want to learn, how to be happy and content where ever I am. Being far from home and not returning for much time, I hope will teach me to live in another way that I haven't known or cannot understand at this moment. I want to say that I lived well, I enjoyed life as it was meant to be lived. I will learn what is true appreciation.

Aquaducts in Spain

I love history, culture, food, people, nature.....I want to experience anything that will enrich my life. Experience is the only thing that you can truely keep forever.

WORLD HERITAGE SITES> UNESCO
The World Heritage Website is very interesting. Once I came upon some information about teotihuacan being a UNESCO site, i looked it up immediately and was very impressed by the vast amount of effort put forth into recording and saving these special sites. I love that it is called "World Heritage", I am able to feel a real human connection to each place on the list. Each place I visit become a treasure to me, I love culture and diversity, but I truely love human history!

visited UNESCO sites:

1. Mexico City center & Xochimilco
2. Teotihuacan (unfortunately I have lost the photos, it was pre-digital camera days; so I need to go again)
3. Segovia, Spain
4. Toledo, Spain
5. Statue of Liberty (I forgot my camera at home, how dumb am I!)
6. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
7. Aachen Cathedral, Germany
8. San Francisco Cathedral & Catacombs Lima, Peru
9. Lineas de Nazca, Peru
10. City Center of Lima, Peru
11 La Fortaleza, Puerto Rico

chopped my head off!

Unfortunately, i'm unable to travel with my own personal photographer. When i face the dilemma that i need to ask a person passing by to take a photo of myself alone or with friends...it seems that the general population lacks heavily in basic point and shoot skills. The face get cut off, the background isn't included, its too close or too far, blurry...... I don't get it.

I vow any photo I take for strangers will be the best of my ability!