Jeffrey’s Journey

1) So who the hell are you?

Please refer to my “about me” tab, then read on if you have any questions.

2) I did, I still don’t know who you are.

Hum, well, I’m right handed. Love curry. Love beer more than curry. An idealist, a dreamer. Truthful. Could be an asshole when provoked. Incredibly stupid when I’m disinterested. A sinner, a saint. Can’t dance. Love tennis. Have a love-hate relationships with Cigarettes (we are currently on break, hopefully for good). Really bad at spelling. Really good at farting. Love to eat, even when I’m not hungry. I can’t think of much else.

3) Ok… how could you afford an Around the World trip? Are you a millionaire?

I’m not a millionaire. However, traveling actually doesn’t cost as much as one would expect. I found that I actually spend more money on average at any given day at home than traveling abroad in a cheaper country. Total the cost of gas, rent, food, going out, utilities, car payments, etc. per day at home, and compare that to a day in SE Asia it should be more expensive sitting on one’s ass at home.

4) So how much money have you saved?

About $15,000

5) Which bank did you rob?

I didn’t. I lived at home with the parents and commuted for 3-4 hours each day. I paid my dues to save this money.

6) That’s like a down payment for a car or even a crappy house! Have you thought about doing that?

I did actually. I was considering buying a house in a different state. I even got as far as being approved for a ridiculously large loan. But I decided I was too young for such a commitment and this is the perfect time to do what I’ve always wanted to do. There’s the rest of your life to work, right?

7) How do your parents feel about your trip?

They’re not disapproving, which is good. I think it’s because they saw how miserable I was with the 9-5, and that I’ve given it a shot. However, I wouldn’t say they were supportive of this decision either. But they have given up on trying to make my decisions for me, probably because I’m so stubborn.

Are you going on this trip with a girlfriend back home?

Hell no! Are you crazy? Besides, it’s impossible to save money and have a girlfreind at the same time.

9) You are probably going out with the wrong girls then. Can I be your girlfriend?

No. … Wait. How much money do you have?

10) Which Countries have you been to before going on this trip?

I’ve been to Taiwan, Japan, China, UK, Canada, and Thailand. However, up till’ now I’ve traveled more like a tourist and less like a backpacker.

11) Which countries do you plan on traveling to?

I don’t know actually. I don’t have a set itinerary and plan on figuring out my route while I’m traveling. However, the countries I would most like to see that I’ve never seen are: Australia, Vietnam, India, and Argentina.

12) Hum… so you don’t have a set itinerary? Isn’t it better to have a set itinerary?

It depends. For me, part of the fun of traveling is the unknown and the unplanned. That’s why I decided to just buy one leg of my trip at a time. Besides, this leaves me room to stay longer at a place I really like, take a spontaneous trip with friends, or leave when I want. However, others may take a different approach.

13) What are you bringing?

Please refer to the first entry I’ve ever written under Pre-Trip. The conventional wisdom with packing is to pack light. For first time travelers, it’s to pack light, then throw out half of the things you packed, then repeat. I’m serious, I’ve made the mistake of taking too much stuff with me while I was in London, and I really did throw more than half of it away.

14) So how long are you going to be gone for?

I’m not sure, but I’m anticipating this trip to last anywhere from 4 months to 9 months.

15) What are your hopes/goals for this trip?

I wrote that I am not expecting anything, which doesn’t mean that I don’t think I’ll have fun, but I’m just going to go through the trip without expectation. I do have a few things I hope to accomplish by going on this trip though:

a) I hope to leave from the Pacific and return from the Atlantic, making it a “real” around the world trip.

b) I hope to at some point be able to stay at a Spanish speaking country for an extended period of time (in months) and take spanish classes.

c) I hope to inspire anyone who’s reading this, particularly young Americans, to travel. I hope to contribute in some little way to the fostering of a future generation of Global Citizens and internationally minded people, because I believe that by traveling curiously and as a good diplomat for the country one’s from, more understanding and respect will be the product. And in our world currently, who can’t use a little understanding, respect, and harmony?

16) You’re corny. So, are you going to have a sex change operation in Thailand?

For the last time, no.

Part two: FAQ from a Tuk Tuk Driver, A Cab Driver, or a Vendor (meant to be read with an accent):

1) Where you from?

From the U.S., California.

2) You look Asian! You mama, papa from America?

They were born in Taiwan.

3) Oooh, Taiwan. Taiwan same same with China?

(thinking it’s so complicated, they wouldn’t understand the language I have to use to answer) Umm…. Yes.

4) You speak Chinese?

Yes. 

5) How long you be in -fill in the blank with name of the current city I’m in- ? How long you travel for?

I’ll be here for a few days. I think I will be traveling for a few months.

6) Ah! Very good (with thumbs up). You want smoke? Cheap Cheap.

I want to, believe me. I quit that stuff though (not smoking cigarettes).

7) You want pretty lady? Go boom boom! Pretty lady?

I like pretty ladies. But me have no money. Cannot pay.

* at any point during or after my trip, if you have a question, however stupid, offensive, insignificant, or personal, please let me know and I’ll do my best to answer them.