A month out . . (and the during trip Intro)
In and around Brooklyn, United States
- I'm giving this blog thing a test flight before the big round the world trip starts in 07. Nothing to write just yet . . . . well actually there is one thing. What is up with the Met's selling out to Citigroup? Granted, I'm a bit biased since those Citi is laying me off but it really is just another reason for me to hate the Mets (yes, I'm a Yankee fan). It's actually kind of ironic. You figure Citi is saving about 20 mil a year by outsourcing 500 or so tech jobs, which is just what they're paying the Met's. So in a very small way, my old salary is allowing the Met's to go out and get free agents the Yankees would normally steal. Do I sound bitter? Okay maybe a little but to be honest if it wasn't for Citi giving me a severance package I never would have made this trip, so I guess I should just say . . . Go Yanks! and get the heckl out of town.
- On that note, I'm nearly a month away from beginning the big circumnavigation and it seems there are still a million things to do. I keep concentrating on the stupid things like this blog, buying gear, etc. I haven't really looked at any guide books/sites and planned anything at all. I did finally get my flight from Cairo to Nairobi booked. That was fun. I had to fax Egypt Air's NYC office a copy of my credit card. They couldn't do it online or by phone. I guess I'm spoiled with technology and better get used to things running a bit slower outside of New York. I'm getting my shots next week too. $500 for vaccinations. Brutal. Better than getting treated for Yellow fever in a Zanzibar clinic though I guess. At that point I might just opt for the emergency evac. That reminds me, I have to get my insurance. It'll probably set me back another five or six bills. With all the pre-trip expenses I might not be able to afford anything other than a hostel. Five weeks away! Oh yeah, I'm getting pretty excited too.
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Bill B's Permanent Vacation
Hi there, and thanks for stopping by my travel page. I know, this whole 'how important am I' blogging thing is a bit much but I wanted a way for the folks back home to keep track of me during this big trip I'm on and the web just seemed the easiest way to pull that off. So why do I need a website to keep track of a vacation? Well, as the site name says, it's a looong vacation. I'm not yet as lucky as the boys in Aerosmith, but six months qualifies as a semi-permanent vacation in my not-nearly-a-rock-star world.
Who, how, where and what for you might ask? Well, my former employer (Citibank to be somewhat indiscreet about their outsourcing activities) decided to 'move' my job to Ohio. As much as I absolutely relished the thought of becoming a Bengals fan I decided to take the severance package instead and use my frequent flier miles for a six month, round the world excursion. The tentative plan is to hit 14 countries on six continents. Huh?! Yeah I know, it's a gonna be a busy 07 but since One World is paying for the flights I figured I should try to see every dream destination I could. Let's just hope the old back holds out.
So here's the itinerary if you're still curious, but if you hit the 'Personal Website' link at the top of this profile thing it will bring you to the full list with a map and some details about each country for the kiddies.
Jan 10 - Madrid, Jan 13 - Cairo, Jan 24 - Kenya, Jan 27 - Tanzania, Feb 9 - Red Sea, Feb 21 - Barcelona, Feb 26 - Rome, Mar 6 - China, Mar 26 - Cambodia, Mar 29 - Thailand, Apr 16 - Bali, May 5 - OZ, May 31 - LA, Jun 4 - Peru, Jun 23 - Chile, Jul 2 - JFK
As for the what-for it seems obvious but not everyone really understands why an out of shape, almost 40 year old guy from Brooklyn would willingly subject himself to the rigors of airport security, shared hostel accommodations, suicidal cabbies, and travelers tummy for six straight months. I guess it's just about life and the direction it takes us. Not that I've avoided the whole growing up marriage-kids-mortgage thing, but I just haven't landed there yet so I don't have the responsibilities of that life right now. Having enough miles and 5 months of paychecks coincidentally coming my way while I didn’t have all the big bill payments and such seemed to me a sign.
And so it's time to do what I never thought I could do. Six months without a job? Impossible. Only Europeans and college kids do stuff like that it seemed to me. It's crazy, my right brain screamed. Yet I do have to admit I'm slightly burned out on the old corporate 9-5 life anyway, and I just can't ignore the opportunity presenting itself. So regardless of my sore back, snoring hostel roomies or pushy border guards I'm off to see the world. Hopefully I'll come back in six months with a backpack full of amazing stories and recharged batteries for the career. Even better, maybe I'll learn a little about life beyond my own boundaries. Worse case, I'll have gotten some good pictures.
It would be great if you, my friends, family and occasional visitor read the blogs I post but don't be surprised if they’re even longer than this profile. Just remember I'm writing for myself and that can be a LONG process. Some of my photos will be hooked to this blog but feel free to check out all my photos (be prepared for many, and I mean a lot) at Flickr. I'll also be posting the ebooks I'm reading and mp3s I'm listening to during the trip on MediaMax share drive if you feel the need to review my ‘inspirations’ as they say. Kidding, I just need a place to store stuff and thought I might as well share the free media. My resume is up there too if you know of a job opening up next July when my semi-permanent world turns back to a reality pumpkin.
www.flickr.com/photos /74445888@N00
Anyway time to wrap this novella up so Aloha, Sayonara, Gday mate, and thanks very much for the interest.
Take care,
Bill B
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Bill Benson
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D-Day
I'm sitting in JFK's Terminal 4, Gate 12 about an hour before my first flight, Iberia 3662 (I think) to Madrid 9pm. Finally the big trip is... Continue reading »
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