I just graduated college, i don't have a significant other, or a career or much of anything really. I decided

Question

im going to try something some people might consider "crazy". I am gonna save up money for a few years, fly to europe and try to make my way around the world with just the things with me. Backpacking across europe and make our way to india and china and down and eventually to austrailia then over to south america and back to US. I am not stupid i know well have to take boats, trains, ect... but so far i have 3 others who are going and more who are interested. How far do you think it is possible for us to realistically get? time is not an issue we are willing to devot many years to this. It will all be documented on a camcorder and other things.
my questions are 1. How far do you realistically expect us to get?
2. we can each only bring a backpack, what would you bring in yours?
3. anywhere in the world we should avoid?
finally
4. would you ever consider something such as this?

Answer 1

Of course you can do it. While you are saving up, take some courses on teaching english. If you have a diploma or certificate of some kind you can pretty much work anywhere in the world when you need to restock the pocket book.

Here is a travelers guide that I created for my friend. It has some good tips. please check it out.

Here we go.
Get travel insurance. It is not expensive and can save you in nasty situations. This is important!! Make sure to inform your Credit card companies that you are going to be out of the country so they don't freeze your accounts when they get a charge from Paris, Saigon or where ever you end up. It can be a real pain trying to straighten that out over the international phone.
Carry copies of your passport and visas, your birth certificate, air line tickets and driver’s license in 3 or 4 different places. If your primary bag gets lost or stolen this will help you get back on track. Don't carry a lot of money with you. ATM's are just about everywhere now, so you can get more cash when you need it. Pack light. Most of the places that you are going have nice inexpensive clothing shops and you will need room to bring them back. Leave your computer at home. There are internet cafes everywhere and they are very inexpensive. Use them. That way you don't have to worry about someone stealing your brick and you don't have to lug it around. Keep your passport, tickets etc in a sturdy pouch that goes around your neck. Never wear it in back. I haven't lost mine in over a year on the road and there have been a couple of attempts. Bring your cell phone. Make sure it is unlocked and that it is a GSM Phone, so you can use different Sim cards from different countries. In most places, incoming calls are free. So your friends can reach you in an emergency and you can do the same. This works good. Just email the new number to those who need it and you have a safety net. Bring a basic medical kit. Band-Aids, antiseptic and antibiotics. Anti diarrhea meds, aspirin etc. If you get food poisoning to the point that you have a fever go the doctor immediately. (The Hotel usually has one on call) You can die from food poisoning so don't screw around. Wear slip on shoes. It saves time and trouble in airports and all Asian countries. Always let your hotels know when you leave. It’s best to give them the key, and tell them where you are going. Get a card from the hotel so you can find it again in case of extreme drunkenness or just a lack of directional ability. Also. Read your passport. It can pay to have the various Embassies know when you are in the country. They are not much help but they are a safety net in emergencies. Have I forgotten anything? I am sure I have but this is a good broad list to remember. and... Let the hotels handle booking your tours and local stuff. It costs a little more but it is worth it. Hey, Have fun. You are on vacation! Here are some good Web sites to remember.

Lonely planet.com
http://www.xe.com/ucc/ for currency quotes
Google earth for finding where you are.
Oh... get a good travel book. Lonely planet is good and gives you ideas about scams and rip offs in the areas where you are and good maps and directions to hotels and restaurants. Worth the money.

Now, Here are some tips on the passport from a Disney web site
On October 4, 2006, the U.S. Government extended the deadline for Guests to obtain passports for sea travel to the Caribbean, including the Bahamas and Mexico. The deadline is now expected to be as early as January 2008. Please note, however, that recent legislative changes may permit an even later deadline depending on whether certain requirements are in place by January 1, 2008.

For air travel, however, the deadline is January 23, 2007. This means that all travelers, including U.S. Citizens* and all foreign nationals, traveling to the United States by air on or after January 23, 2007, such as Guests flying to Orlando, Florida from Canada, are still required to carry a valid passport after the effective date.

Despite these new requirements, we encourage you to obtain your passport as soon as possible. Having a passport allows you to always be prepared to travel wherever you wish, and offers an added measure of security when you're traveling. For more information on the benefits of acquiring a passport, visit our FAQ.


Passports are taking anywhere from 3 to 5 months!
What You Need
You must appear in person at the passport location when you are applying for a passport for the first time. This includes minors (see Passports for Children under the Age of 14 below).
Here are the documents you will need in most cases:
1. The U.S. Government's DS-11 Application – Download the application from the government site to be certain you have the latest form.
Tip: You will need to complete this form, but do NOT sign it until you are at the passport location where the Passport Acceptance Agent will instruct you. If you sign the application form before you get there, it will not be accepted and you will be asked to fill out a new form!
Tip: Don't use white-out or correction tape on the application; you will be asked to fill out a new form.

2. Proof of Citizenship – Visit the US Government website for a list of acceptable proof of citizenship, including the particulars of what is considered a certified birth certificate.
Tip: Your certified birth certificate will be submitted with the passport application. That means you will not have it for approximately eight weeks. If you will need the certificate during that time — for example, to register your child to attend kindergarten or to play soccer — be sure to make a copy.

3. Current valid identification with a signature, photo and physical description (your height, weight, etc.) – Visit the government site for examples of valid identification.
Tip: A social security card is not considered valid identification.

4. Two current color photos – Visit the government site for the particulars of a passport photo, including size and acceptable attire.
Tip: Some passport locations offer photos at an additional charge. Call your location to find out.

5. Methods of Payment – Visit the US Government site for the methods of payment. Different locations accept different forms of payment. Be sure to check with your individual passport location to verify its acceptable methods of payment. You can request Expedited Service to obtain your passport faster than the normal processing time.
Passports for Children under the Age of 14
To submit an application for a child under the age of 14, the child must appear in person. Visit the U.S. Government's information on passports for children and the U.S. Government's issue of Consent for an Application of a Minor for information on obtaining passports for children under the age of 14.
If your child is adopted abroad, we recommend you visit Child Citizenship for information on appropriate documentation requirements.
Tip: You must use a birth certificate that includes parents' names. The credit card-sized birth certificate you may have for your children may not include your names. You will need a certified birth certificate.
Where To Go
There are 14 Passport Agencies and over 7,000 public places that accept passport applications. To find the locations nearest to you, including locations that offer handicap access and photos on-site or nearby, enter your zip code in the form at the US Government site.
Tip: Be sure to contact your location to verify acceptable forms of payment, hours of operation, and need for an appointment.
Age 16 and older: The passport application fee is $67. The execution fee is $30. The total is $97 .
Under Age 16: The passport application fee is $52. The execution fee is $30. The total is $82 .


Here is a website for Passport forms, but you can also get them at Post Office, library, etc.:
http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/c2100...

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Answer 2

Yes. I can't tell you "when" you should go to college, though. Do what you love. If it's college, go. If not, don't go. One thing college can give you is the ability to say that a college education isn't the only education that matters. That doesn't sound credible unless you're actually college-educated. If you want the knowledge, study, in or out of college. Libraries are full of the same books that college students study. It was good enough for Abe Lincoln. And Aristotle. And lots of others. Know that being smart now is no indication that you will do well in college. While the smart kids have been breezing through, their peers have spend the past 12 years struggling and learning excellent discipline and study skills, and by the time they reach college, they will have developed exactly the skills to build the solid foundation they need in college. Whereas the brains have not. So... some people are late bloomers. Or late to buckle down. Maturity may give the perspective needed to do well in college. If you think that you want to take a break, find yourself and don't want to do that in college, consider Job Corps, AmeriCorps, Merchant Marines, military service, volunteering with a church or humanitarian organization. At home or abroad. Helping others is an amazing thing. You can't do it without helping yourself, too. And by the way, this amazing gift you have been given? Don't squander it, develop it, and use it to make the world a better place. It doesn't take a top college to get you there. Good luck!