How I (and you) got here

Hello Readers,

Many of you got here because you can’t spell idioms. Some of you got here because you were hoping this domain wasn’t taken (HA). And a smaller subset of you got here because I told you about it.

Whether I stole your website or you’re my mother (Hi Mom), you made it here and are choosing to read about the next few months of my life. So, I owe you an explanation...

I am currently single, freshly unemployed, and soon to be “homeless.”  The End.

Just kidding… But, when I told my dad this he replied slightly concerned. (Note to self: Parents respond very quickly to succinct emails with this opening line.)

I recently was selling business management software to small and medium-sized companies. Even though I had enormous benefits; which included endless flexibility, a generous paycheck, and a fun work culture; I felt like I needed to pursue something more. If you are also an idealist (and therefore probably a millennial), you likely know how hard it is to define “More.”

For me, More came in the form of dozens of far-fetched, lofty plans. Bartender in Australia, Musician in Mexico, Dog-whisperer in Calgary (yep...). Each of these seemed exciting and different, but probably not very realistic, especially because I have every intent on returning to Boston and most likely returning to software sales. As a result, I sifted and sorted through lofty plans until one of them actually stuck: An Around the World Ticket.

I had loosely heard about Around the World tickets before--tickets where you start in one city and move one direction across the globe until you make it back to where you started. However, I didn’t know if these tickets were simply a dreamy concept invented by airlines in the 1960’s, or if they were even obtainable to the average Joe/Joe-ita. Naturally, I decided to go on a frantic 1 am Google search to learn more.

Google spewed websites at me that offered these flights. People wrote blogs about them--how to purchase one, how to pack for one, how to plan for one. REAL people did this, or at least they seemed real. I read about eight-week long structured trips and vagabond-types who bought spur of the moment flights over the course of three years. Someone circumvented the globe with a satchel the size of my elementary school backpack. This definitely wasn’t just an elusive airline advertisement; this was real.

But even if they existed, my original hunch was that these tickets would be about the price of a new Toyota Prius. And definitely not include leather seats. Yet, it turns out some of these tickets included top-rated (Mom, read that as safer) airlines, like Qatar Airways. These weren't some second-hand airplanes with C-student pilots. I was very surprised to find that my Prius not only had leather seats, but it didn’t have defective brake pedals.

My Prius does come with a few stipulations: all your tickets are booked, you start and stop in the same city, you have to complete the trip within 12 months, and you fly one direction around the world without backtracking. Simple enough.

You can purchase these tickets through airline partners (think Star Alliance) but those partnerships tend to be more expensive and have further requirements, like how many total miles you can fly. These Star Alliance tickets far exceeded how much money I wanted/could spend, so I kept looking.

Other blogs led me to a travel booking company called Airtreks. Airtreks significantly reduces the cost of these tickets by piecing together flights from various airlines. The experience was so user-friendly and helpful that within a week I had created 11 potential routes and had already received three estimates from my Airtreks travel consultant and new best friend, Daniel. My trip evolved within that week to accommodate US travel warnings, inexpensive/no visas, and parental anxiety. Ultimately, Daniel issued me a quote for my current trip: Boston > Holland > South Africa > Thailand > Indonesia > New Zealand > Hawaii > Costa Rica > Colombia > Boston.  

After tax, the price for ALL of these flights was $4,500. When playing around with the estimates Daniel sent me, I learned that some airports are cheaper to fly to than others. (In case you were wondering Pyongyang, North Korea was in fact very inexpensive to fly to, but also failed to meet any of my personal requirements for the trip). I could have booked all these flights for less by navigating discount airline websites and booking my own travel at strategic times. However, I opted to pay for:

1. The peace of mind in having a valid ticket
2. The travel and medical insurance that is included with Airtreks and
3. Not having to stress over finding last-minute tickets.

A + B + C = happiness in my purchase.

Now, I’m the kind of person who signs up for 100-mile bike races on a whim with the hope that committing and paying the entrance fee will motivate me to train. Usually, that is true and I find myself at least making it to the finish line. It might not be pretty and at some point(s) I will be kicking my past self for the lack of preparation. But, I will get there. This finish line will be August 23rd, which is my (albeit flexible) date of return to Boston.

That brings me to today. I recently submitted my notice at my job, am unfortunately still hunting for a subletter, and am currently unattached (no kids, dogs, cats, goldfish, hedgehogs, significant other, or other “dependents” who I would feel guilty leaving for 3 months). I’m SURE that the next few months will be occasionally chaotic, unplanned, and nerve-wracking, but that’s what makes it fun...and definitely qualifies for “more.” So hang tight, I'll throw you tidbits to vicariously experience and hopefully inspire your own adventure. Whether or not I'm ready, I’m turning the page.