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The Plan:

Below are the chronicles of Dan and Paula as we travel around the world for 6 months, starting on Dec 4th, 2007 in New Zealand. From there, the plan is to travel to Australia, through South East Asia, Nepal, India, Africa, Turkey, Greece, Eastern Europe, and Iceland.

A Day Is Like A Piece Of Chicken….

November 13th, 2007

The point system of a diet plan (weight watchers?) was once described to me using a chicken example… Basically, you’re supposed to compare a “temptation” (like M&M’s candy) with something tempting but healthy (a nice piece of chicken), with the idea that when you think about it, you’ll pick the chicken. Something like… “well I could have these 3 M&M’s or I could have a whole piece of chicken”. Granted, anyone who knows me, knows which one I would pick but you’re supposed to pick the chicken.

I recently realized that my cheap-ass side has been on full alert for all things “non-chicken”. In other words, i’m finding myself assessing everything I (or paula, for that matter) buy and asking if it’s worth it. Is this chicken? Am I sure this is chicken? After all, every $40 is another day abroad… Do I really need two pairs of underwear? Maybe one is the chicken and the other is just M&M’s?

dan

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The Return…

November 2nd, 2007

So, after lot’s of discussion… we decided to be a bit more purist in how we’re going to approach packing. That means lot’s of returns… So, I ventured back to REI and as I walked through the store to the return section I found myself more flattered than weirded-out by the fact that 3 employees said something like “hey, back for more?”… or “just couldn’t stay away, could you?”… to “Where’s your wife? you guys are still doing kilimanjaro right?”…. and a fourth saying “Where’s Paula?”…

and to the Return’s person who said “OK that’s it for your returns… and here’s your online order for 1 … (pause) … women’s, um, small… er, uh… boy-short style underwear…” my response was actually that’s for my wife “Sweet”.

dan

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Packing Is Like Nutrition…

October 22nd, 2007

So Paula and I have been discussing packing… and reading about packing… and discussing what we have read… about packing. We’re now starting to practice packing… it’s becoming an illness. Ever heard a group of triathletes talking about nutrition?… yeah… it’s like that… not pretty.

Anyway, the cool part is I can now take 6 months of clothes and (with a compression sac, of course) squeeze it down to the size of a football…

Dan

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17 Countries, 6 weeks, 1 pair of underwear….

October 21st, 2007

Packing has been an issue for the trip. Since we are backpacking, how does one have all the necessary clothes for 6 months at once AND be able to carry it all day long if required? The answer is layers, and things that clean and dry quickly. Add to that that paula and I have recently decided to add climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to the trip (the tallest mountain in Africa at over 19,000 feet and renowned as a great life experience), we are going to have to pack for both hot and (very)cold alike.

So for some advice, we went down to REI. REI is a local outdoor-sy type store specializing in camping/hiking/climbing/etc. Nearly 5 hours later we emerged… on a first name basis with half the staff (even gave our email address to one woman so she could get in touch about Kilimanjaro), a bit poorer, but with underwear that has “17 countries, 6 weeks… one pair of underwear” on the packaging. The point is that they dry quickly so you can hand wash them at night and they are ready for you in the morning. Being the skeptic, I decided to buy 2 pairs… ya know.. just in case.

Dan

Dan trying out his travel gear

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The first ticket is purchased…

October 17th, 2007

It’s official. We are actually going to New Zealand. We have a ticket (and an email confirmation) and everything. We are leaving on Dec 4th, which also happens to be my big bro’s birthday, which rings in my head that Paula and I will be leaving EVERYTHING and EVERYONE for 6 MONTHS!!! yikes, right… it’s getting more and more real everyday…

I hope I’m not over doing it in my attempts to recruit people to come visit us in far off places. I’m not sure how many times I’ve said “Hey _______ (name)!!! You should meet us in ________ (location). It would be awesome. We could ________ (activity) and even _______ (even more enticing activity).” It’s getting to be a little madlib-ish…

Dan

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The Pack Unites!!

October 16th, 2007

Well, we’ve moved in. We’re doing our best to keep it neat so Claudia and Steve aren’t too alarmed by the sudden crowded home. Dudley loves it. “Finally, the pack is starting to come together…” is what his grin seems to say. As long as I don’t finish Claudia’s milk… we’ll probably be ok, i think.

Dan

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Pre-travels – Take 1

October 16th, 2007

Well the first leg our journey has begun….kind of. In preparation for our trip, Dan and I have moved in with my parents. Aside from being blamed for a sticky substance on the kitchen counter, despite my protests in self-defense, it has been fairly uneventful thus far.

Paula

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What Are We Thinking?!?!?!

October 15th, 2007

The journey… 6 months around the world. The question… how does one simply skip out for half a year and go galavanting all over, literally, God’s green earth? What I keep hearing from people is: “Now or never”. With the impending future of ever increasing responsibility (read: kids, career, house, life, etc), it can be overwhelming… But, I don’t believe in nevers… however, “now or a long ass time from now when your kids are out of the house” is more real… Then the thought pops up that noone can know what life will hand you. Maybe Paula and I won’t be able to travel as easily then as we can now… so, for now, “now or never” ends up being the compelling argument.

A trip like this takes serious resources and planning… While paula and I are not planners, what we lack in that department, I’d like to think we more than make up with our love of freedom; not being tied down to ‘a plan’.

Resources, though…. this is the tricky part. We’ve decided to rent out our house. We found a nice couple to rent to but they moved in on Monday. Oops, only gave ourselves 1 day to move out. Luckily we only had to move our clothes and necessities for the trip and for winter. Every thing else got boxed and labeled and put in the attic. Where are we now? Well, for the first time in over 11 years for me and a few less for paula, we are living with ‘the folks’. We’ll be there until we can find a short term place to crash or until we leave… which ever comes first.

Posted by: Dan

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