This is 30

80 days until the project begins

American culture has a distinct perspective on age. As kids, we cannot wait to grow up, wear great clothes, have older boyfriends and be the masters of our own universe. It is a short, rose-colored ideal, to be sure. As adults, we frantically try to reclaim our youth with miracle creams, younger boyfriends and avoiding the responsibility of managing universes. We seek to recreate that (perceived) better past self...ironically the one that couldn't wait for the future.

Family travel

82 days until the project begins

I came across an article in the New York Times today describing a family's ten month adventure traveling the globe. With careful planning and a strict budget, two parents are giving their children the experience of a lifetime. They are certainly not the first; I've heard of other families who have packed it up and undertaken a collective walkabout. This is the first family of four that I've ever heard of living on budget of $150 USD a day.

Prologue

"You must have been planning this for a while." The very patient booking agent for American Airlines had been on the phone with me for two hours. Which was probably a long conversation for someone who, up until 8am that morning, had not heard about my upcoming travels. 

To say I'm traveling is a bit of an understatement. More like taking a page from the explorer Ferdinand Magellan with 21st century upgrades. Mostly this means a compression of time and space. I am still going to circumnavigate the globe. Just by plane/train/automobile instead of boat, in six months instead of two years. Or at least that is how the agenda stands now. 

The concept is hardly new, at least to me. And to my beleaguered friends and family, who have been listening since the seed of an idea took firm root. This wanderlust has deep roots. My mother still laughs about my rather abrupt departure on my first solo flight (I was seven and had a miniature pink suitcase, thankyouverymuch). Since then, a collection of adventures has stoked an inextinguishable fire. This one started after reading about a hacker's successful use of frequent flyer miles and crystallized when, after nearly a bottle of wine and an excel spreadsheet, that I could achieve it too.

Dates + Destinations

A list of (confirmed) places I will be visiting. This is an evolving list, so please check back frequently...

Bibliography

Any traveler worth her salt has reference material....for idea generation and practicalities. A few of my favorites.