Winter Doldrums

Hi folks, 

It being winter now, and 140ish days away from my trip, I've found that I'm in a bit of a "winter doldrums" state. I'm excited for my trip, but the immediate excitement of having bought the tickets, made sure my passport is good to go, and making sure I've got my money set aside (or will be set aside once I get the rest of it), most of that excitement has worn off. I'm left in the "concerned" state that's left over.

The concerns of "am I not planning enough? am I crazy for having done this? Am I even going to make it through this trip alive?" every little comment from friends and family are in my head because I'm into my winter break and have nothing better to think about. I've triple checked my flight reservation, my bus ticket is right next to me with my passport and extra copies. I've got my backpack ready to go, some little things packed in it already (extra bits and the dry-sacks, stuff I don't need for daily life). I think I'm just having too much time to think about the trip while actively trying not to think about it.

Right now, I'm looking at (hoping to have) about $2000 to spend for everything while I'm there. My transport in and out of country are covered already, bringing the total for the trip to about $3500 (1250 flights/bus, 250 insurance, 2000 in country money). I'm looking at $33-37 per day for accommodation and food and things to do. From what I've been told, this will be fine for Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam  I would LOVE to pick up a motorbike in Vietnam and ride from one end to the other, which I've also been told is doable, but I'd need to take some more money. either way, this is looking to be an amazing trip, and I'm just sitting here over-thinking things. 

In my personal life, I managed to get good grades in my university classes, so that's going well. I'm double majoring in Environmental Geology and Comprehensive Crisis Response with an idea of going to the US Peace Corps after graduation. This trip will be a good test of whether or not I can handle a headfirst dive into a culture different from my own while still leaving me a safety net of sorts. 

anyway, happy holidays or whatever doesn't offend you and may you find tranquility in the new year.

-An Effort in Tranquility  

Why I want to travel (some info about me)

I suppose now that this blog is over a year old, I feel I should start a schedule for updates and redefine the mission statement: This blog is my ramblings, gear reviews, and in the future, where I will post about my travels while I'm out adventuring. Right now, though, I'm going to go through and talk about why I want to travel and why it makes sense to me.

An Effort in Tranquility: what does this mean to me?

According to Webster, Tranquility is "Repose: a disposition free from stress or emotion."

Now, my blog is titled "An Effort in Tranquility" meaning I'm searching and trying to find tranquility. This isn't exactly what I'm searching for, though. I'm searching for a life that leads to the least stress and least worry. I hope for emotion, in any form. But I want to search the world and find where I happen to fit.

I've had some people tell me that I would find tranquility anywhere, through god, or religion, or something. Others have told me that I'm trying to live in a fantasy world and should settle down and have kids. Other students I attend university with tell me to "buy a car and go party or road trip" but those ideas sound boring to me (well, except for the road trip). Some things I've stated before, but need re-iterating, others are things that I've been more recently able to tell people. So, here are some insights into what makes me, me:

1: I've always been nomadic- I've never lived in one place for more than 5 years. Never. I count this as the same house/town. I did live in the mid-Missouri area for almost 7 years, but that involved moving around, small travels, and a year away at school. Living in one place for more than a year or two sounds intensely boring. After about 2 years, I usually end up feeling this deep desire to get away, sometimes causing physical stress. The idea of me living in one spot for the rest of my life and doing the same old thing all the time is as foreign to me as my idea of travel is to someone who's never moved.

2: I'm not religious- It's taken time to really admit this to people, because it's usually taken as an offense. I'm an atheist. I don't believe that there's an afterlife, or that I'll be rewarded for being super faithful, or that there's a supernatural being/spirit/deity watching and judging everything that I do. I believe that only I am accountable for my own actions and live by that principle. . I've lost people that I thought were friends because of my lack of faith/belief. This doesn't mean I wish to eradicate religion, or turn other people away. I've looked into many religions and have the same issue with the supernatural aspects. I've realized that some people need to have something to believe in, this isn't a terrible thing, but at the same time, it's often used as a tool to cause harm to others. I do realize that I'm traveling to an area where religion is a BIG deal, and I will respect that. I am fascinated by other religions, but I do not wish to join them.

3: I do not want children- I'm 24 years old. I'm one of the few members of my high school class that isn't married or has children. I've been asked repeatedly "when are you going to settle down and have some children?" My answer has always been a firm "never." I don't want children, I can't see myself having children, I can't really see myself getting married either. A good friend said to me "you need a girl that is part science geek, part nomad, and maybe part hippie." and I think that friend is right. I doubt I'd really "settle down" but maybe have a travel partner. But marriage or a life long commitment aren't my thing.. maybe when I'm 40? I have no clue. I'll find out later anyway.

4:  I'm afraid of not living my life to it's full capacity- I'm currently in the beginnings of working towards a geology degree. I love geology, I really enjoy the classes and labs, I am fascinated by rocks, minerals, plate tectonics, formations, etc. I'm afraid of the degree tying me down. I'm afraid that working on it will put me in a place where I am required to live in the same place, doing the same thing. I've been told that this shouldn't be the case, but at the same time, I still want that freedom. I know that I could change to an English major with a random minor, or go for something outdoorsy  but the job prospects on that front don't leave me with much of a fallback. What I hope for is to complete my B.S. in geology and be able to do short term work that pays well enough to travel, as well as traveling for work. I want to look into teaching English abroad because it sounds interesting and I receive very good grades in my writing and language classes (despite this blog probably being an editors nightmare).

Anyway, just some (wall of text) details about me. In the future, I'm going to try out a bi-weekly update schedule (or at least once a month, more as I get closer to my departure). so, this post is being written on the 30th of September, but should post on the  of 1st of October  So, if you're reading this before October 1st, then I probably messed something up or changed my mind (which happens a lot)

Progress!

Alright, I officially am making progress for my trip to South East Asia, and I've got great news:

I've bought my flight tickets to Bangkok! That's right, I've finally done it. It's official, I WILL be traveling this coming summer.

I kept track of prices for awhile and stumbled upon a price war going on between domestic carriers and the asian carriers. Tickets were all sitting at $1500-$1800 round trip, which was putting a big strain on the tight budget that I will have available. My goal was to buy my tickets for under $1200 total for the flights only, what I noticed (through other bloggers pointing this out to me) is that when buying a ticket from the mid-west US, the price is between 1/3 to 2/3 more expensive if you pick up a connecting flight.

Example:
Flying from Kansas City: $1500-$1800+
Flying from San Francisco: $1070 (this is the ticket I bought)

I'm planning on picking up either a budget ticket ($230 or less) or a greyhound ticket (currently $230) for a separate round trip to drop me right in SFO or the city in general with plenty of time to get to the airport and time to maybe couch surf a day or two before leaving on the return leg.

I'm leaving May 8th and returning July 10th. My flight transfers in Tokyo (I ended up flying Delta airlines because I wanted to save $200.. might bite me in the bum, but maybe not) and, sadly, I arrive in Thailand around midnight local time. So I'm thinking of relaxing for awhile at a coffee shop or something. (thanks wanderingEarl for that pointer).

So I have my ticket, my passport, backpack, and some of the clothes I want to take. I'm looking into getting my shots here, though I found I can get them at the red cross (aka snake farm) in Bangkok for MUCH less (have heard around $100, which is WAY better than several hundred). So that's where things stand, New backpack update soonish (busy with school, so updates come second, apologies).

Feel free to comment with questions or comments!

A long time coming

Alright, Yet another update. This time, though, it's a bit of explanation.

First off: No, I didn't go anywhere over the summer. Other than moving to the small town where my university is located. I spent the last year taking classes at a small college that didn't cost me much and working to save money for my trip. The end of the school year came along and I was getting everything finalized for my move back to university and my mother discovered that she had cancer. again. I ended up staying and spending a decent bit of money on helping out her and one of my brothers. She lived with me and I was driving her 2 hours away to the doctor twice a week and after all was said and done, I had maybe $800 left after everything. Obviously not enough to go anywhere. Add that to the near tripling effect that happened to fuel prices causing flight costs to skyrocket (pun semi-intended). I was pretty much stuck. I bought a small bike to get me around town while at school and replaced my phone and that pretty much ate through the rest of my savings.

Fast forward a little bit to now, classes start tomorrow and I'm enrolled for 13 credit hours. My mother has moved in with her boyfriend and I've got a room mate to make rent easy. She's mentioned paying me back a portion of what I spent so with my grant/loan refund coming I should have enough to take a trip this coming summer.. about 8 ish months away.

I'm going to be buying my flight ticket to BKK once I find a price that isn't $1800+ (hoping for closer to $1200, which i've found a couple times). Hopefully getting that mid-september, at which point i'll be set for my way there and back and just have to save the rest.

With luck, I'll have enough money to go for most of the summer and have a budget of around $40 or so per day. From what i've heard so far, that's decent for a budget backpacker, I'll find out when I get there, right?


It's one of those things that I need to do. Once I'm finished with school, I hope that I'll still be able to travel. I plan on saving everything after next summer's trip for when I graduate and liquidating the rest of what I have so I can be easily mobile. I want to find a career outside the USA because I feel that there's too much out there that I won't get to experience and I want to see as much as I can.

New Horizons

I've been going over the numbers again for my trip and I came to a stunning realization..

I'm behind in my savings and not able to save as much per month as previously planned.

Add in to this is the shortened time period available, and I recognize I *might* need to change destinations... AGAIN. As it stands, Thailand is simply outside my upcoming budget. With the very expensive flight, the immunizations, a move to a different town to return to university, and a lack of a cash buffer like I originally planned, It's just not a feasible option at this time. Now, I'm not removing it entirely from my options, however, I am putting together a list of destinations that can fit into a 45-60 day trip.

The criteria:

1. must be $1000 or less for a round trip ticket from the US (MCI or STL airports)
2. Cannot be a country that shares a border with the US (no canada or mexico, unless mexico is only part of the trip)
3. Prefer somewhere across the ocean, but if that's not possible, see bullet 2.
4. Also prefer there to be a language barrier. I want to learn a new language and the best method is immersion.
5. I need to be able to live on $50 or less per day as a low-mid range budget.
6. (optional) Prefer somewhere slightly off the beaten path, or with options to see places that most non-backpacker tourists would avoid. Also would like to see the shoulder season or off season. Though it isn't a problem if its main season, I just want to see what the real life is like in the areas I visit.

I'm currently considering a trip down to Cancun, Mexico as a starting point for the Central America backpacker circuit. I'd catch a bus to Playa del Carmen, stay there a few days, maybe a week, and would then go through central america to Panama and catch a flight back to the US. Though I'm open to plenty of other options and ideas.

Since the price of a plane ticket to central america is cheaper by a power of 10, ($180 vs $1800) It opens up more options for travel within the region along with leaving more money available to do things. Plus I'll be able to set aside any remaining money when I return home. This option also opens up the winter/christmas break for a short trip unless I save every penny for a euro-venture the following summer. Once I graduate from NW, I'm going to take the trip to Thailand (if I don't do it this summer) and make my way through the area, hit up a few other countries, australia, etc. My ultimate goal is to make a full circumnavigation of the world by the time I'm 30, on top of traveling as a lifestyle.

In the off chance that I'm able to afford the trip to Thailand, I'll still leave it for later. The average suggestion from other backpackers and long term travelers is to leave it for when I have the time. I'm also looking into a short trip over winter break, maybe buck the trend and go north instead of south. That or grab my brother and some friends and take a short jump down to mexico, possibly baja. That's something for later though, right now I'm working out the summer trip and making sure I have everything set.

Japan Tourism board to give away 10,000 flights

According to various news outlets, the Japan Tourism Board is giving away 10,000 free round-trip flights to aid in bringing back their now suffering tourism. Since the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident have caused people to have fear of traveling there. Myself? I'd TOTALLY go to Japan if my flight were covered free of charge. My reasons for not going to Japan on my current trip idea are only because the yen to dollar ratio isn't the greatest, and prices are a bit higher in general.

My plan was to make it to Japan when I have a larger/better income and savings. Though, now I completely plan on applying for one of these free flights as soon as the application system opens up. Yes, I realize that the chances of me actually winning one of these special trips is slim to none, but even so, that's better than my chances at a free flight if I don't apply, right? The conditions are that you have to post pictures and write about your experience in country either during your trip or after. Hmm, isn't that what I'm doing with this site anyway? YES INDEED!

To be honest, I'd love to travel to Japan, climb mount Fuji (its an easy-ish trail) It's actually on my bucket list of things to do before I die. I'd hit Tokyo (of course), then probably Mount Fuji, I'd actually be thrilled to go see the areas affected by the tsunami. I'd also like to see your standard "touristy" things: sumo wrestling, a bunraku show, things like that. I'd like to see the blend of the traditional Japanese style mixed with the newer age. Overall, if I were to win a free flight to Japan, I'd change my travel plans to go there next summer instead of Thailand. I'd just delay the Thailand trip for the following christmas break or following summer.



-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-


Alright, this is just a quick update about the free flights to japan thing that's in the news. I've been very busy with school lately, so my post on the "tourist day" in columbia, mo has been a long time coming. It's coming though, I promise!

what do you think about the Japanese Tourism Board giving away 10,000 free flights? Will you apply? feel free to comment below.

My review of the Deuter Futura Pro 38

Alpine Shop in Columbia, Mo

(picture credit:http://www.everythingmidmo.com/marketplace/businesses/alpine-shop-iii/photos/620/)

Recently I went out and took a “tourist day” in Columbia, where I live. During this, I happened to stop by the local Alpine Shop to browse. I had previously picked up a Coleman Elate 65 liter pack from walmart. I wanted to save money by getting a cheap backpack but also wanted to test it out as a comparison. After some time working with it, I deemed it too large, heavy, and bulky. It would take nearly 65 liters of things to even make it feasible to carry. Moreover, it was a saggy mess when empty or even loaded with the amount of things I'm planning on taking. 

Left: Deuter Futura Pro 38, Right: Coleman Elate 65

With the revelation about the Coleman pack fresh in my thoughts when I happened to walk in to the Alpine Shop and realized that I had the money needed for a decent pack. I talked to the workers helping out customers as I have in the past, but this time with full intention to walk out with the pack I felt would fit the bill. After trying on the Osprey Atmos 50 liter pack again (it's one that I've repeatedly returned to but still balk at the $200+ price tag), I looked at the Deuter packs in stock. Searching for comparable features while having others I specifically wanted, I eventually chose the Deuter Futura Pro 38 liter backpack.

My Futura Pro 38

With Rain Cover

The following dimensions are from Deuter's site (www.deuteroutdoor.com)

• Weight: 3lbs 10oz (1640g)
• Volume: 2320 cubic inches (38Liters)
• Dimensions [HxWxD]: 28”x14”x10” (70x35x26 cm)

My bag is the Midnight/Ocean color scheme as it was the only one in stock. The other color options are Lava/Orange, Emerald/Titan, and Moss/Silver. After seeing the other color options, I realized I would have chosen the blue or light green bag as they wouldn't be a blazing marker on me while I travel. The features I was looking for in a pack included: a rain cover, well padded belt, sternum strap that wasn't the flimsy clip attached to a piping on the strap, and a bottom pocket that gives access to the main pouch. I also wanted heavy duty gear that could live up to the general activities I'm going to put it through. Additionally the bag needed to be small enough to be easily carried, hold roughly 35 liters or so, and fit as carry-on luggage.

The Futura Pro fulfilled all of the things I was looking for in a backpack thus far for my travels:

• The pockets on the side are large enough to hold large bottles for extra water as well as the fully enclosed pockets behind the pouches.
• The main pocket has the standard sack style top opening, but it also has the (not always standard in backpacks) divider in the bottom and exterior access.
• The belt is the “Variflex” style that Deuter uses, it pivots with your body to allow the pack to stay centered while your hips can move naturally. While it has no pockets like comparable brands, I don't mind that aspect missing.
• The top of the bag has pouch that is accessible while wearing the pack and I think gives a better option than a belt pocket for small items. Though, it's attached solidly to the bag, so it can't be used as a detachable carry bag option. I kept my hat in there when I didn't need it, which kept it in easy reach.
• The shoulder straps themselves are well padded with a heavier pad. On the shoulder straps is a pretty sturdy sternum strap that adjusts easily without feeling flimsy. It keeps in place really well and keeps the main straps from sliding around. 
• The back has Deuter's “Aircomfort” back panel that keeps the main pack about 1-2 inches from your back. This makes the back non-adjustable, which for anyone not in the suggested range of 5'2” and 5'10” might make it fit awkwardly. I lucked out and it happens to fit my frame perfectly. In mild testing around town on a hot day with 25lbs of weight in it, my back stayed cool and mostly dry, I ended up sweating a little more than usual without it being too bad. Every time the wind would catch between the pack and my back though, Amazing. Like a tiny wind tunnel that cooled my back pretty well. You can even hang a water pouch in this space if you wanted, there's also a pouch in the main pocket for it if you have the space or want it inside the bag.
• It has a small zipper on the actual “front” of the bag, This seems good for holding small notebooks or specifically a map. I like that there aren't a dozen or so extra pockets on the front, it makes for a cleaner look with only one small zipper and I don't worry about someone trying to get into it while I'm walking. Especially since anything I put in there wouldn't be of major value anyway. The pocket itself it decently large and could probably fit a standard notebook and a map or three if you can get them all through the narrow zipper.
  
  
  
  Aircomfort panel and straps

The total space of the Futura Pro is actually 42 liters, but is divided up as main storage and spare storage. The bag has expandable pockets on the sides that can give up to an extra 5 liters. In regards to that, I think of this pack as 38 liters with extra room if you need it. All told, I can fit 2 medium sized dry-sacks inside it with a little room to spare. That includes my clothes, flip-flops, bed-roll (compact blanket and full-size sleep sheet), netbook, toiletries, med kit, and other small items. In addition to this pack , I have a Kiva key chain bag that can carry up to 8 more cubic liters of gear (a review of which is coming in the next update) packed in a top pocket. Just in case I need to split a couple items up to make everything “carry-on” since in most cases I'm allowed 2 bags.

The dry-sacks next to the pack (filled with pillows for emphasis)

Overall I'm completely happy with my choice of bag, it isn't too heavy, doesn't feel as cumbersome with weight in it as most other bags I looked into. It fit into my price range and was bought locally, another of my desires. After searching for approximately 3 months for a decent pack, I put quite a bit of thought into my choice. If I had spent more than $200+ on a pack, I feel I wouldn't be nearly as satisfied with it. Since I was able to experience the coleman pack (Coleman Max Elate 65L) and see what getting a cheap pack lands you, I'm much more at peace with spending around $150 on a backpack.

What kind of pack do you use? Given what you know about it now, would you have chosen differently? Feel free to comment below!

A Change of Scenery

I'm struggling up a steep hill, having hiked a couple miles already, a glance ahead reveals the loose gravel road beginning to level off. I shift the weight of the backpack holding the food I just picked up at the small store back down the road, adjusting the straps to keep it from sagging. “Only another mile, slowpoke” my friend calls from ahead. “Yeah,” I think to myself, “only another mile.” My shirt soaked in sweat, my asthma acting up, feet protesting every step, but there's a difference, I'm having a great time.

That piece is out of my old journal that was written after my trip to Canada. I wasn't in the middle of nowhere, though it seemed that way sometimes because I wasn't familiar with the area. Looking back at my writings from 2006 and thinking back with fresh perspective, I've seen how much I've grown and changed in five years. I was fascinated by travel back then, though also afraid. Not afraid of the travels or the experience, but of what other people would think of the lifestyle I was desiring even then. Back then I cared so much about what people thought of my choices. I wanted people to approve of whatever I ended up choosing as a career. I was lost and confused and misguided. It took a long time to grow into the person I am today. I'm still growing, I'll never be finished “growing up” mind you. Life is all about the adventure.

A modern explorer. That's what I want to be. No, That's what I AM. I've always looked at Columbus (even though he failed at finding a route to Asia and found Cuba instead, he took it in stride), Marco Polo, all of those other explorers that I can't remember the names of, I've always looked at them with a sense of awe. “Thats what I want to do” I'd always say, but I always thought there wasn't an option for me to do anything of the sort. Now I know that there is in fact exploration out there. Sure, I won't be looking for new civilizations or vast unseen lands, but exploring the already established ones that are out there to see sounds like an adventure. That's what I want to do, that's what I am going to do. I will find a way to do what I want and be open to the various doors that life opens.

This dream is as multifaceted as a finely worked diamond. Each facet different while all together making something amazing. I'm discovering my talents as well as the things at which I am not as skilled. I can do chemistry decently, but not as well as most others. I can do other sciences as well, but not to the degree that many reach. I am learning that I have a penchant for writing and it happens to be something I've wanted to do for a very long time. Along with my dream of traveling the world, I am pursuing my dream to be a writer. I'm willing to do what writing comes my way, I'm not looking to be a hard news writer, but if that's a project available to me, it might be what I do for a period of time. If all I manage to write are tales of my exploits, so be it. I'm not under any delusion that this will be a walk in the park. I fully believe and hope that it will be the challenge I feel it will be.

           With enough perseverance, hard work, and a good attitude, I fully believe that you can accomplish anything. I will be traveling by this time next year. In fact, I know that's what I'll be doing. I'm going to travel and write about my travels. I want to find more inspiration for writing. Things that I can put into a new perspective, have a source for more accurate brainstorms about the fiction novel I've wanted to write. I'm not afraid of danger, new things, or changes. Proof of this would be last year during the blizzard. A friend and I walked about 5 miles (2 and a half each way.) Why? We wanted chili for dinner and the campus store was closed so we walked through the blizzard to the grocery store. We caught a bit of flak for that when we returned. The RA's were not happy about it, but found the situation funny afterwards.

I'm not apprehensive about taking this kind of giant leap into the unknown, it excites me to be honest. This will be a huge step into new territory. Most people in my generation don't do things like this, I find that quite sad. The “wanderlust of youth” isn't entirely gone, but mostly involves small trips within our own country, within the confines of their home state or to neighboring states. I'm not knocking the USA or its sights to behold, I just think that if you're gonna go, go big or go home. I plan on seeing the sights back here at some point in my travels, I just want to get out there and experience the world first hand. I've spent 23 years in the USA, I'd say I'm due for a change of scenery.

Thoughts on life

I've spent the last month or so continually looking at different travel blogs to get a good idea of what's out there to see and do in different parts of the world. A very common theme I've stumbled across is many people going on a trip of the sort that I'm planning and they've either yet to return or they nearly immediately departed on a subsequent trip that has yet to finish. “Two years, one circumnavigation of the planet, one backpack, and still going” or “10 years and counting,” or “I left home on a three month trip to Asia that has yet to end” and even “Ran away from home at the age of sixteen and have travelled the last 8 years.” These are all things I've seen again and again on various travel blogs.

This is the lifestyle I've always wanted to do. I've always wished to find a way to travel from place to place without needing a trust fund or some sort of magical money tree. It seems that there's an availability to do all of this, albeit as long as you're willing to put the effort into it.

Things that I want to look into include teaching english, farm stays, WWOOFing, and various other things that can keep me going, traveling, seeing the real world that's out there. My reasons for doing this are because, basically, it's something I want to do. Why not? I want to find a sustainable way to be a modern nomad. Too many people sit at home and never go anywhere or do anything because they're either a) Afraid, or b) Think that they can't do it.

I don't want to be the “typical American” that listens to everything their Gov't tells them, watches TV like jersey shore and other stupid things, drinks the Kool-Aid, etc. etc. I'm not that, I wish I could say that I've never been that, but I used to be pretty closed minded, Mostly due to religion dictating how I thought, acted, etc. Since then though, I've been able to make significant progress in search of my “essential self.”

For example: Growing up, I was the kid that moved a lot. I was repeatedly the new kid. In addition to that, I was the kid that didn't have any good “grandparent stories.” you know the ones, your friends (or maybe even you, yourself) all talk of the times spent visiting the grandparents, getting outrageous jealousy inspiring gifts, and having an altogether good time.

I never had that in my life, and yet I'm better for it as I take much less for granted. What I've come to realize about myself is the uniqueness of my life isn't a bad thing. I was the kid with the not so nice grandparents, the new kid in town (or state), and the “weird kid” quite often as I tend to enjoy things based on whether or not I like them.

Moving on to adulthood, I've tried thinking quite long about where I'm supposed to fit in-

I really don't know yet.

I honestly have no idea where I belong in the world. Though I do know where I don't want to be. I don't want to be a typical 9-5er, or work in a cubicle and not go anywhere. My fear is getting trapped somewhere and not able to get out. I'm fairly certain this has something to do with my decision to take this trip.

Mostly this was a post on ideas that turned into thoughts on where I want to be. I'm trying to discover what I want to be/do with my life.

Budgeting, Gear, and Preparations

Last saturday, 8/6, I received my passport in the mail! So on that front I'm all set. I'm going to be planning out a proper itinerary once I work out my final budget and then get visa's, flight costs, and insurance figured.

Budgeting:

As it stands, part of the plan was to use whatever school money would be left after paying for classes, housing, etc. as well as every bit of money from my normal pay since housing will be paid for, will go towards my trip. I was hoping that would equal out to about $2k-$3k as a pretty good starter.

I found out that after all of the other things are paid for (to a degree) I'll have maybe $1500 from remaining grant money. Though the up-side is that pays for the flight and insurance (rough estimates) and if I can save $100 or more per week I can have about $4000 to work with in general.

Leaving myself $1000 in hold for emergencies/alternate transport etc., I'll have $3k to work with for the duration. I may wait an extra month and leave mid-june to give myself an extra $500 or so to work with towards fun things like diving, snorkeling, tubing, etc.

According to most people I've talked to, If I keep to a very minimum budget and keep from drinking a lot all the time (which I don't do anyway. The whole 'heart' thing and all) I can easily live comfortably off of $600-700. So if I have 3k to work with, a 3 month trip is pretty feasible. Add to that if I can do volunteer work in exchange for housing and maybe food I'll have more funds available to travel longer if desired, or to do more things, or even to come home with and save for the next adventure.

Gear:

Now that I know this trip can happen, it's time to think about gear. I'm going to start with backpacks and footwear since those are pretty much the main items any backpacker will need.

Packs:

What I'm looking for in a pack is one that can carry what I need to take, can fit as a carry on luggage, is small enough not to be too bulky and still be able to put in on my lap for taxi's, tuk-tuks, etc.

I actually began my search at the local Alpine Shop since I guessed there would be people working there that have actually used some of their own products or could even point me in the right direction if its something they don't sell.

Osprey: The first packs I tried out were from Osprey which are on the more expensive side of things.

• Atmos 50: The first pack I looked at and actually the top of my list as far as comfort and size.

Pros:

• Very comfortable. Breathable mesh in the back
• Stayed cool during a quick walk during a tryout with sand-bags inside it.
• Has pockets on each side of the belt that can hold things like a camera etc.
• It's large enough at 50 liters to hold whatever I need while still being small enough to use
  as a carry-on.
• Nearly unlimited lifetime guarantee. Seriously, they call it the “All Mighty Guarantee.” I could pick up an old pack that was torn up and send it off to get repaired and only pay shipping.
• Cons:
  • Pockets on belt are mesh and thereby not waterproof.
  • Bag doesn't seem to have any kind of attachment for a locking mechanism.
  • Doesn't lock.

Lafuma: More affordable than the Osprey, but not by much.

• Mont Blanc 60L
  • Pro's
    • It has an “easy adjust” back system that seems to work ~okay.
    • Can store up to 65 Liters and also pack down to the size of a 35L pack if not loaded fully.
    • Comes with a rain-cover that is packed into its own pocket
  • Con's
    • Back adjustment system felt like it didn't fit my back like it should have, even after adjusting
    • Seemed kinda heavy even when empty.
    • Not very vented, Good for winter backpacking, Not so much for tropical areas?

High Sierra: Much cheaper packs, Mostly on the larger side of life. I wasnt too impressed with these packs overall. I was able to find 3 different ones locally, and they all seemed to have the same issues.

While I'll admit these are probably very nice packs and they had decent pocket layouts etc, I just couldn't seem to get the 45L comfortable at all and the other two are too large.

• Long Trail 90L
• Sentinal 65L
• Summit 45L
  • Non-adjustable back on some models.
  • No Belt pockets
  • Hip belt seemed overly large and bulky on every model.

-OVERALL: Though there are more packs available in town (Kelty and Gregory are two) I think I'm pretty much sold on the Osprey Atmos 50 pack. It's by far the most comfortable especially with weight in it. It seems to fit my back and hips better than the other packs I've tried, though I will be going out to look at the Kelty and Gregory packs soon.

As far as shoes go, I bought a pair of Merrell Chameleon 3 hybrid hikers. I've been wearing them for work currently and they're great thus far. I'm considering a pair of fivefingers shoes as something to wear in the rain, but I may just go with some decent sandals/flip-flops since that seems to be what most people suggest.

Preparations:

As of about 2 weeks ago I've been on a new diet and exercise regime to get back into shape and be more ready to handle this kind of trip. My goal is to lose at least 30 lbs (puts me at 200) and ideally 50 lbs (which puts me at 180.) Included in this goal is to hopefully get my heart in check and not have it as a worry or issue in the back of my mind. To get to this goal I am exercising every day, cutting out all sodas, caffeine, and nearly all of the sweets (not all because you need something to look forward to.) I've changed over to almond and coconut milk instead of regular dairy, and I'm starting to lay out a proper diet meal plan.

So with luck, I'll be in much better shape and feeling pretty good, Healthy enough to stay healthy, and have a pretty good time for the beginning of my world travels.

My Official Destination for Summer 2012

I know that I've changed my mind a few times about what destination I'll be headed to for my big trip. First it was Australia, then it was Europe, until I realized that not only was I leaving out the area of the world I want to see the most, I was leaving it out because I thought it was somewhere I couldn't go.

Once I started to seriously look into south east Asia as a viable option, it became clear that not only is it an amazing alternative, it's also VERY within my budget. My reasoning that it wasn't an option were as follows:

1: An airline ticket to south east asia is MUCH more expensive than to Europe:

FALSE -Airline tickets on the same day (May 21, 2012, my estimated departure date) from St Louis cost nearly the same! $700 to London and $850 to Bangkok. If you're looking for the cheapest airfare, you need to take into account which airports are most commonly flown to, or can handle the large airliner traffic. Flying into Vietnam or Italy directly can cost much more. The easiest way I found to pick somewhere was to take a look at what stopovers there are in the area. Set your flight to where you're wanting to go and look at the stopovers. From the US to EU the most common one I found was London. To SE Asia, it was Hong Kong and Bangkok. Since China isn't on my itinerary at the moment, though it may change since I can stop in Hong Kong and check out a little of China on my way back home, I chose to fly into Bangkok even though where I want to go is Cambodia, Vietnam, and possibly Bali.

2: SE Asia will be more expensive than Europe:

FALSE -This was a pretty ridiculous notion in the first place. SE Asia contains many nations that are considered third world and as such have MUCH lower costs of living as well as some VERY cheap options for housing. As I started looking at the options for budgeting I was given average statistics:

For Europe I was suggested a bare bones budget of €50 (or about $75 USD) per day. Thats staying at the cheapest hostels, eating two small meals a day either from the cheapest restaurants or going to a market and living off food I make myself. Not using any private transit unless its a bicycle and not taking taxi's pretty much at all. This includes paying for very cheap activities if any and limiting any kind of museum visits. Add into this that I'd be traveling during the peak tourist season and it can be more expensive since I've been told that the cheaper hostels can fill up quickly. Even more so, the 2012 summer olympics are in London so that will be something else that has the possibility to stretch my budget even thinner. Though my budget can make it at that level, its not the most ideal situation.

For SE Asia I was suggested a budget of around 1000 Thai Baht ($33-35 USD) per day. This includes staying at hostels, guest houses, though in some areas can include low end hotels (though still not your expensive rooms). Eating food from vendors and cheaper restaurants, taking public or some minor cheap private transportation. So with the budget I have in mind, This is a MUCH better alternative, I can leave open the option for the occasional treat or if I really need a good night a decent hotel, I can spring for it. Plus it leaves open options for cheap domestic flights around the area if needed or desired (some are around $70 or less). This all adds up to being able to do much more with the same budget, more flexibility, and all around ease of mind.

3: SE Asia is dangerous to travel through. Especially for Americans

FALSE: -The Vietnam war is over. Its cliché for me to go to that as my argument, but it is something that came to mind. I've been reading and getting information from people traveling in the same areas right now. They've been saying that its a pretty amazing locale that isn't nearly as dangerous as other areas they'd been to (ex: south africa, areas of south america, etc) and that I should “definitely make the trip.” Another person suggested “As an american traveling with some aussies, I've noticed that people can pick you out simply by the gear you wear. Avoid North Face like the plague, it tags you as an american.”

Now that I've fully decided on SE Asia as my official destination, I'm working out what to take, where to go, and what to do once I get there. Look out for upcoming posts on Gear, Itineraries, as well as Ideas on what I'm going to do. For now though, 300 more days until the big trip!

-Greg