You have a house in Kansas. Do you ever feel that places like Kansas are, in some ways, more exotic than, say, Laos or Bhutan, because they are so off the backpacker radar?

Mr. Potts,

I like to travel in places like Colombia, Uganda, Cambodia, and Brazil among others. I like to walk around the towns I'm in looking for photos. I never know whether to take a small point and shoot camera or stick a 35m. camera with a couple of lens in a day pack. I don't like to draw attention to myself. What do you find works best for you?

Greg Ebersole
greg_ebersole@yahoo.com

What's your traveling kit? Meaning, what are you carrying in that house on your back?

happy trails,

- hotspringfreak

Hello Mr. Potts-

When we travel, many of us seem to remember the most bizzare and unplanned events as the moments from a jouney that stick out from the rest. These stories usually tend to be the best for entertaining and sharing what it's like to trot the globe; However, when I close my eyes and imagine my favorite corners of the Earth, I find that the 'every-day' type particularities of a place come forth and dazzle in my memories. I think travelers can find that it is difficult to share the specialness of these unique moments with others upon return.
My question is this: Mr. Potts, can you share any of the less-exciting moments from your travels? How they made you feel/think/act? Additionally, can you share any advice about how to share these ever-important (though less excting) moments with those who ask about our travel experiences?

Thank you for responding and being a part of our travel community!


~kpm

Hi, do you ever go to these arranged traveller's meetings or you think they are a bunch of very sad people ? I see sometimes pictures of the meetings and wonder, if there actually comes some good information out of it or is it a chance to up their egos, e.i. I have been to more places then you ?

Mr Potts,

Firstly, thank you very much for your book. It has inspired me to resume the life of a nomad, a lifestyle I'd gotten used to as a child and subsequently abandoned to maintain a career.

I'd like to know how you managed to fund your trips? Other than a 9 to 5 and saving a scraping for pennies for the great trip you're likely to make 'one day' (before mortgage, kids, loan repayments or some other form of financial burden arrives on one's doorstep), how did you manage to afford the life of a nomad?

Thanks
Ed Babb

How long has it taken you to write your books? Do you compose them while you travel, or just take notes?

Hello Rolf and congratulations on your new bbok.

I read about countries (e.g. Myanmar) where the local population is repressed by a tyrannical government and I am torn about whether to travel there or not. I have seen arguements both for and against such travels. How do you reconcile traveling to such places?

Thanks to everyone who submitted a question!

I just sent them to Rolf and he'll pick which ones to answer. Keep an eye on this thread this afternoon for more info on the interview. If Rolf picks your question, I'll contact you via e-mail to arrange delivery of your free copy of "Marco Polo Didn't Go There."

Cheers,
Donna

Rolf, Your first book was a major reason that I sold everything and started to travel over ayear ago. My question is: What can I do to convince other people to consider a life of travel, not being a writer myself? You are my Guru. Tim

Interview is up here:

http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/rolf-potts-answers-yo...ravel-questions.html

Thanks again to everyone who participated!