The Story
How An Around-The-World Trip Came To Be
On a road trip in early June of 2003 to a Ben Harper/Jack Johnson concert, my friend Erick and I struck up a conversation about all of the many things we could do with our lives, having just graduated from college. Graduation brings about the most amazing and most daunting feelings, as you could do anything with you life, which also means you can do ANYTHING. We talked of teaching English in Japan, working as diving guides on the Great Barrier Reef, walking along The Great Wall of China, volunteering to help AIDS victims in Africa, backpacking across Europe, exploring the rain forests of South America, and, of course, a good old nine to five job in America. The challenge was, of course, which direction to choose. The discussion melted into distant dreams and longing what-if’s, but the ideas lingered in the back of my mind for some time.
A few months later, after sorting through grad school applications and classified ads, I had the itching feeling I was not ready to settle down just yet. So instead of choosing one thing to do “next” in life, I thought, “why not try them all.” After some research, consulting, and advice from a number of friends, I realized that an around-the-world trip was not impossible, as a matter-of-fact, a simple Google search turned up dozens of blogs written by individuals doing just that.
So, I decided in the waning months of that summer, I would give myself three years to research, plan and commence a trip around the world. Fast forward to 2006, with a lot of help from a lot of people, coupled with a simple savings plan, I left the world of full-time employment, sold and gave away nearly everything I owned, hugged my family goodbye, and set out, in early August 2006, to see the world.
I am traveling to learn more about the world, to learn more about myself, to learn more about life outside of America and to learn more about my eclectic set of interests in storytelling, filmmaking, community-building, social entrepreneurship, education, cooking and eating. I’m going in search of adventure and to discover interesting people doing interesting things.
My initial plans was to setup in advance 5-6 experiences in different communities on the journey working, teaching, or volunteering and to live in these communities beyond just a tourist stay. Through these experiences I would like to try to become more a part of the community, to develop a deeper understanding of the place and to get to know the people. These experiences may (or may not) include teaching, studying, film making, cooking, bartending, working on farms, or numerous other opportunities that might arise. (I am open and willing to do about anything, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have an idea.) Between these “experiences” I plan to backpack and see the sights, take in the places and, most important to me, meet new people on the open road.
I am headed west from the US with my first international stop in China, then I plan to travel through Japan, Southeast Asia, India, The Middle East, the former USSR, Europe and Africa. If time, money, and my wits permit, I would like to see parts of Oceania and South America, but only time will tell whether I will make it that far.
I will document and share my travels through writing, photography, and video on this website (mainly so my mom can keep track of me), and I hope it can serve some purpose for you. Please join me (virtually or in-person) as there is much to explore.
Thanks for coming along,
Andy Stoll
Iowa City, Iowa USA
August 2006