How much will it cost?
A person can travel pretty darn cheaply in Asia and the Middle East. The ballpark estimate frequently used by backpackers is $1,000 per month (for SouthEast Asia). We will probably travel on a slightly higher budget (I'll pay $7 for the air-conditioned room rather than $5 for one without!), but until we're on the road we don't know exactly what we'll be spending.

Many people fixate on the cost of these trips as a reason they can't go; however, the real complication isn't what it costs but rather what you won't be making while you're away. After all, $1000 a month is far cheaper than most people living in the States spend on car payments, rent, insurance, and all other trappings of domestic life.

So here's my advice. If you want to go, go. Find a way and just do it.

Isn't it dangerous?
The unknown is always a little scary, but one shouldn't assume it's dangerous. Once we leave gun-happy USA, the risk of violent crime drops dramatically and the main issues we face are those of discomfort.

If you get your shots, use common sense, stay away from rabid dogs, and don't engage in groupsex with a roomful of Thai prostitutes, the biggest dangers you face are from car accidents. Even that risk can be minimized by staying away from motorbikes and overnight buses.

How did you plan your route?
We started with a few places that we knew we wanted to hit -- Vietnam, Egypt, China, the Olympics in Sydney. Then after some additional research and talking to people we added several other countries to the list -- Syria, Turkey, Thailand, and more. Once we had a rough list of the countries, the route came about fairly easily based on time restrictions; for example, we knew had to be in Australia for the Olympics, and we wanted to get to China before winter, etc. We tried to be in the large countries for at least a month each, when possible.

One of the hardest decision was deciding where not to go. A year seemed like a long time, but it actually filled up quickly. We'll have to save India, Nepal, Iran, Africa, and Antarctica for another time. . .

What are you doing with your house?
Renting it to friends. They get a good rate and we don't have to worry about the place getting trashed (we hope).

What about your dog?
Loki is spending the year at Sarah's sister's house in North Dakota. As a Seattle dog, he has some adjustments ahead -- cold winter nights and hot summer days -- though unlike us, Loki doesn't have an espresso habit to kick.

Are you crazy?
Not yet.

How do you pack for a year away?
There are lots of excellent packing lists on the web. While the details vary slightly, there seem to be two common themes. First, pack lightly. Almost everyone I've read said they threw away or mailed back heaps of clothes and useless gear. Second, be sure to pack the things that are hard to get abroad (ie, medicine) but don't sweat the other stuff. So you're on the road and you need another t-shirt? Buy one for $.50 at a Thai market.

What about your jobs?
Job obligations are (along with family obligations) the main reasons people don't take extended travel. It's not about the money, it's about stepping away from a successful career or a lucrative job. Many people -- when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles to leaving -- simply decide it's impossible to go. Trust me, it's not!

We have been delaying our trip for nearly 10 years while we built successful careers. Finally, we decided "It's now or never." It was a hard decision to make, but we told ourselves we would take this trip whatever the consequences. In hindsight I wonder what I was so worried about. I worked out a leave of absence with my company, and Sarah quit her job but left on good terms and will be welcomed back when she returns.

Decide what's important to you. If it means building your life (not just your career) then follow your heart and everything else will fall into place.

Who made your travel arrangements?
We made most of the travel arrangements ourselves. The one exception was our trans-pacific plane tickets, which we booked through a San Francisco-based agent. See the "Planning" section of Dispatches for more information.

How did you line up all your Visas?
We researched the visa requirements using the various embassies' web sites (see "Reference" section of Links). These websites include detailed instructions, downloadable forms, and payment schedules. Based on the information, I knew that I'd have to apply for China and Vietnam before we left the States. It was scary sending our original passports off in the mail, but Vietnam actually processed them within days. China is next, so please send some good karma our way.

How did you get your Olympic event tickets?
Tickets were made available to US Citizens through Cartan travel about a year before the games. You send in your request (along with a massive check) and then they use a lottery process to issue tickets. Another option is to buy scalped tickets in Sydney during the games. At the Atlanta Olympics you could buy tickets on the street to almost any event, usually at less than face value.

What's that "Cable, WI" on your route?
Cable, Wisconsin. It's a small town in Northwestern Wisconsin. My folks have a cabin on a lake up there, and it's a wonderful place to relax. Even though it's in Packer country, it's one of the greatest places in the world.

How are you going to get money along the way?
We plan on using our ATM cards wherever possible (probably just in the big cities). We will also be bringing some traveler's checks and some US dollars. And, as holders of American Express cards, we can cash personal checks at American Express offices around the world.

Most importantly, how are you going to watch the Vikings games?
Sadly, we haven't solved this problem yet.