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#rtwsoon Interview: Liz – Traveling Liz

#rtwsoon Interview: Liz – Traveling Liz

We’re skipping Sunday Spotlight this week to bring you a fantastic #rtwsoon interview instead, partly because we’re celebrating one year since we departed on our own adventure!

This interview is with Liz of Traveling Liz who we started following closely when we learned she was spending some time in Iceland, one of our favorite countries. But that was just the beginning of her travels, this lovely lady is taking on the Trans-Siberian before spending time in Asia.

Oh, and she leaves in three weeks. How exciting! Good luck Liz.

Liz - Traveling LizWho are you?

My name is Liz and I’m a 20-something living and working in Washington, DC. Although I’ve had some great opportunities to travel during the last couple of years, I finally decided that I wanted a chance to do some long-term travel and see some parts of the world that I haven’t been able to explore before.

Since graduating college in 2008, I’ve been to over twenty countries across five different continents.  My favorites include Peru, Cambodia and Israel.

Where are you going on your RTW?

On my round the world trip, I’ll be heading to Asia with a brief stop in Russia first. We will fly into Moscow and take the Trans-Mongolian across Siberia, through Mongolia to China. From there we will explore China, Nepal and India before heading to South East Asia.

One of the most exciting adventures we have planned is a hike to Everest Base Camp, which is over 17,000 feet high. The trek takes about two weeks and it will no doubt be one of the most challenging things I’ve done.

You can check out my full itinerary here: http://travelingliz.com/2012/07/my-rtw-itinerary.html

Liz in Peru

Peru

When are you leaving?

I leave for my trip in less than one month – on August 20, 2012.

Why did you decide to go on this trip?

My roommate, Shannon, and I were sitting in a bar last Thanksgiving discussing our dream trip. We talked about taking the Trans-Siberian railroad and exploring China. We discussed how excited we would be to celebrate Diwali in India and do some rock climbing in Thailand. We spent hours at this bar talking about this dream trip and towards the end I started thinking – “Why am I not doing this?” Half joking, I told Shannon we should quit our jobs and do it. She laughed.  We paid our tab and went home.

The next morning, Shannon came into the living room and said “You know what – let’s do it.” And we’ve been planning it ever since.

In Wadi Rum, Jordan

In Wadi Rum, Jordan

What will you be doing to pass the time before your travels?

I don’t have much time left – so it won’t be so much “passing the time” as desperately trying to get everything done. We have our Russia visas, but we still need visas for China and India. We also need to move out of our apartment, sell our things and pack our bags. I haven’t even figured out which backpack I’m bringing yet!

If you could give just one piece of advice to a fellow #rtwsoon traveler, what would it be?

Besides the obvious – “Just do it,” I would say prepare yourself for how much work and stress planning a trip like this really is. It’s going to be fun and exciting –  but it’s also going to be hard. Don’t worry if you have moments of worry or doubt. That’s totally normal. Just keep working towards your goal and you will get there eventually.

Visit Liz’s Website: Traveling Liz
Follow Liz on Twitter: @Traveling_Liz

If you’re heading around-the-world in the next 12 months and would like to be featured here, please contact us.

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