BootsnAll Travel Community

Hey Everyone.

My name is Rachel and this is my first trip to blogsville, so far so good! I'm 27 and live in lovely Somerville, MA. I work at a college to pay the bills, though the fact that my boss raises chickens in his backyard in Cambridge makes it a lot more bearable. Like most of you, I cherish travel and do it whenever possible. My next serious trip, to Peru, will be my very first totally solo excursion, and hopefully, the precursor to my first RTW! I’ve already learned a lot from this site (thank you) and am really excited to get to know my fellow community members. So send me you tips and if anyone has questions about the places I’ve traveled to or about travel in Massachusetts and New England travel send me a holler.

Peace

Hello there!

I'm Sarah, 23, born and bred in NYC. Somehow it got into my head that four years of nature would be healthy for me so I attended college in the boondocks of New Hampshire and I'll be graduating next month!

I've lived and studied in Seoul, Korea and Barcelona, Spain and traveled to most of the major cities in Western Europe. I've done the spring break route of Cancun, South Beach Miami and the Bahamas.

I love nightlife and dance music and I really enjoy going out in all the different cities I've been to. I'm thinking about going to Ibiza this summer but I'm uncertain about going by myself. So, I decided to join this forum and get some courage and advice along the way!

Hi there! I'm Alex, 23 and about to embark on a month in the UK, followed by another month in Montreal, the foreign-language mirror to my hometown Toronto. Most of my plans for the future involve wandering all over the world and working terrible/wonderful jobs, and I'm learning French to help with that ambition in Europe.

I'm big on independent travel and I like to write about almost anything, and in-between I work as a freelance illustrator.

Hi. Timmi here. Venue : Malaysia.

I've always loved travelling and doing my bit in helping the less fortunate and for me, these 2 complement each other well... my only wish is I have the chance to break free from my daily demands and travel to more unconventional tourist-spots (without my kids hanging on my hips that is) - LOL...

I'm new here but the people of planet BootsnAll have welcomed me in like family and I intend to stay. Cheers U guys.

Just got back yesterday from a 4day vacation (somewhere not far), and travelling with my 2 hyperactive boys was a real nightmare. Dont get me wrong, boys are boys and I love them very much but when U have a 1-and-half year old screaming his guts out, literally HIS GUTS OUT all over our back seat... and his older brother whining and too often begging his dad making his pee-pee stops, U'll be like us swearing no more family outings for the next 2 years at least!


If U have any question on malaysia, feel free to ask me.

Hi everybody. I've been a member now for a few months, and I figured it was about time I introduced myself. I just turned 28 recently (in Dublin) and I am (I hope) at the beginning of my world travels. I have a BA in philosophy, and as you might expect, have no career. Yet. I'm about to enter the world of TEFL in the next few months, though, in order to save up enough money for a RTW trip next year. I like traveling to places with an edge, and adventure travel always catches my eye. I just got back from a solo trip to mostly Eastern Europe and Mexico, which was my longest trip so far, at just under 3 months. I have traveled the states pretty well, though - all but Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Alaska, and Hawaii. I lived in my car for a while. I was in the Peace Corps in Bangladesh for a short time. I canoed alone from Northern Wisconsin to New Orleans a couple years ago. After my RTW trip, in the summer of 2008, I'm going to attempt to bicycle from Alaska to Argentina. I think those are the highlights of the past and near future. While traveling really seems to be my thing, I have to admit that I have a bit of a hangup with getting old(er), not having a job I find rewarding, and not being in a relationship. It has been good to follow along on the boards here at BnA, as it reminds me what I love to do. Hopefully the rest of it will fall into place somehow. "Bideshi" means "foreigner" in Bangla, which I identify with. I really don't have a home anywhere, and definitely feel like a foreigner pretty much everywhere - especially near Wisconsin, where I grew up. My mail goes to my parents' house, and the IRS seems content to believe that I live in a PO Box. And so I drift. I hope to achieve the status of "Travel Diety" here at BnA and be done with such demeaning titles as "Contiki Bus Bunny" and "Thorn Tree Refugee," which leave me with a feeling of inadequacy. I hope to someday be allowed to choose my own clever title to display beneath my name. Yes, onward and upward. That's what I say. You're all I've got, BnA!!

Hullo,
I'm Amanda, 28, married, 2 dogs, 1 guinea pig. I love to travel, but haven't had much time since I got maried and got the quasi family thing happening. It's a shame since I'm a teacher and I have three beautiful months off for just such things. This will improve now that I am done with my Masters (woohoo.)
As a kid, the 'rents and I did not do much exotic traveling (outside of a very interesting move from Texas to Wisconsin.) In high school this changed - we went to the carribean and tried to experience the local culture (until someone in Jamaica asked my dad if they could buy mom, sis and me.) No matter, I was hooked. I went to France on a school trip and saw most of the southern part of the country. I also managed to see a couple of towns in Italy and Switzerland. While in college, I went to Germany to visit my boyfirend and his family (an exchange student from my hs days....i know, i know.) He and I drove around a large portion of the eastern part of Germany. While I found it to be dirtier and more depressing than I hoped - I'm willing to admit the impending breakup probably shaded the trip - I still had tons of fun and saw many interesting sites.
Now as a teacher, having driven around many portions of the US - I am spreading my wings a little more (and desperately trying to catch up to lil' sis and the 6 continents she has hit.) I will be taking students to Costa Rica to study the rainforest and then next year my first big trip in a decade - Thailand!!! I can't wait. I plan to take the train ALL OVER. Please throw your words of wisdom to me!

HI everyone!
My name is Amy, I've been living in NYC for almost 10 years, and I'll be moving to Chicago in the fall... before I do so, I'm embarking on a 12 week trip through Southeast Asia and Australia, set to leave in 3 weeks or so...! I'm keeping things rather loose and flexible - I've an idea of where I'd like to go but I am looking to book pretty much two one way tickets and figure out the middle as I go. I'd love any advice/help/tips from those who have done this or are in the midst of doing this...!! So far I'm loving this site - I have friends blogging their RTW trip on it, which is how I came to it...
I can't wait to get back to Thailand, and explore many unknowns. (One of which happens to be Chicago... so if anyone can offer me some tips and encouragement about my big upcoming move there, don't be shy!!)
Thanks!!!
Amy

Hi Boots'n'Allers!

I'm John, from Manchester, UK. Not forgetting to introduce my partner in crime from Singapore, Sangeetha. I am completely new to forums, let alone one about travel. A mere virgin in the world of hardcore backpackers. Although I must have great taste when it comes to world travel sites, because we both feel we've arrived at a top class destination. Over the next few months both of us (mainly me) will be pecking the travelled minds of all the Boots'n'All posse.

My previous travel experiences have either got me into sticky situations or has left me visiting the same monument time and time again (due to not paying attention to my surroundings and going on the usual annual getaway), Sangeetha is a true globetrotter and she has seen some amazing countries and cultures, including New Zealand, India, Thailand and Europe. However, after years of feeling lost, I've decided to embark on a RTW tour with my globetrotting partner. Starting in January 2007 we'll be visiting / touring three continents, those being Europe, Asia and North America/Canada. Although I'm slightly nervous , the excitement of adventure outweighs any negative feelings.

Our main inspirations for a RTW tour is a combination of wanting to open our minds to the vast amount of cultures there are, combined with a couple of travellers called Kinga and Chopin http://www.geocities.com/kingachopin/main_eng.html who basically hitch hiked around the world.

We hope to pick your brains very soon.

John, Sangeetha

By the way, the picture of The Queers is a cool rock group I had seen in Florence, Italy. Just incase you were wondering!

Hi The Travel Slut here (real name Ann).

First off, the name Travel Slut. I have affectionally been called some variation of a "Travel Slut" for over 10 years because I once said (and continue to live it) that I will go anywhere, anyplace, anytime, by any means with (virtually) anyone. I love to travel and if the name fits....
I finished my corporate world obligations and now live to travel. I don't have favorite place but I do love cruising and prefer a hotel anymore to a tent (been there, done that).
I am usually researching travel, planning travel, getting ready to travel, actually travelling or returning from travel. I am currently returning from travel and getting ready to travel again (to Vancouver & Alaska and beyond).
I am also trying to get my website up, create some blogs, juggle about a dozen projects, and take care of daily incidents at the present time.
I am looking forward to spending time on this site and both learning and sharing information. In the meantime, Travel On!

hello everybody,

i don't travel much

but given the chance i will make travelling my profession. i am just back from a very popular hill station named McLeodGanj. It is in the great Himalayas. Not at a greta height, just 2000+ mts but a very nice place to be.

Anyways, I hope to have a great experience in here.

Hey! My name is Alana. I live Canada, and grew up in an ity bity little town that nobody ever leaves. With very few opportunities in the booming metropolice of 2200 people, I had to get the fuck out of dodge, fast. So I went to college and got a job working for a newspaper in Costa Rica.
I hadn't travelled before that due to a few seemingly insurmountable fears. When I arrived in Costa Rica it was night and I was pettrified! I ran to the closest computer and emailed my fiance to tell him that travelling wasn't for me, and I was coming home as soon as possible, because I was meant to marry him, get some sort of office job, have kids and settle into a normal life in Soutern Ontario. After a good nights sleep and half an hour of sunlight, I once again ran to the nearest computer, logged into his email account and deleted the message, because, BOY HOWDY, this travel thing was for me! In case you're wondering, we broke up. He dumped me over MSN. You can read the synopsis in my profile.
Now I live by my dad's advice. "Be yourself,
Do what you will,
Explore your world,
And let others fit in as they may!"
-Alana's Dad

I too, have been hovering around the site for ages and finally decided to jump on in. The usual stats: I'm Kelly... 23 year old New York native currently fending off the Red Sox fans in Boston.

I've done a bit of traveling the past few years (mainly due to my year abroad a few years back) but I've been homebound latley, saving up some money working for a tour operator.

Sounds fabulous, I know! Working for a travel company. In reality, it wasnt all that great. I worked in a call center fielding 100 + calls a day, trying to convince old retirees that "they needed to go to Malta- like, now!" It got old fast, and rather than talk about traveling, I wanted to do it. (Plus my company screwed me out of my trip to Greece..but thats another story!)

So.. I quit my job (two weeks ago today!) and Im heading to SE Asia & NZ in October for an undetermined amount of time.

I wish it were fall already!

Hey all fellow modern nomads/vagabonders/wayward souls/free spirits...

Yes Ive at one point been called many of those names and plenty more with numerous 4 letter words thrown in there. I must say that its funny when people decide to call you those things with some sort of scowl on their faces and you reply with a smile and say well thank you. They dont usually know what to do with themselves. Its great.

Well, my name is Angela and I am in the middle of reading Vagabonding right now. I have done a lot of traveling around the USA and to a couple places around the World. Ive been to India, Thailand, and Japan. Not too long for these though. I would go back and stay longer. Ive heard it said as Im sure all of us have "The more I travel the larger my home becomes." I have a VERY VERY large burning desire in me right now to go somewhere and I am going to do it. At this very moment I am fighting off buying my plane ticket with my pay check tomorrow. I dont really know why I am fighting it. If I just buy it the there's no turing back. I like it when there is no turning back. I would like o go to Austraia and NZ...let me rephrase that...I am going to Australia and NZ. Soon. As soon as possible. Haha.

I love quotes. I love leaves. I love the ocean. I love the mountains. I love bubbles. I love creating. I ADORE traveling. I love being. I will always be.

When all else fails...be. Finally.

Ask me questions...I give great answers.

Hi, Angela:

Well, if OZ and Kiwi land are calling, I'd say, "Go for it!"
Take lots of pictures and keep good notes. My wife and I are going there in November. Perhaps we can compare notes, afterward.

"Much have I travelled in the realms of gold,
And many goodly states and kingdoms seen."
- John Keats (1795-1821)

I have been looking around the site for a few days and trying to figure out how the blogging and discussion forums work. I think I finally have it figured out and decided that I should introduce myself.

My name is Barry and I was born in South Louisiana. I am currently working as a chemical engineer in South Carolina. I am considereing traveling around the world in 2007 starting in February. Current plans are to go to Easter Island, Fiji, New Zealand including Cook Islands, Australia, India, China, South East Asia, Nepal, and Europe if I have time and money left.

I am currently wrestling with decisions like do I really want to give up my job and overcoming fears of the unknown (strange diseases, foreign languages, crime, etc.) I will let you know how it turns out.

Howdy Barry!

I assume you're the fellow I was exchanging e-mails with a while back... Glad to see you've found your way here. As I said, there're loads of friendly people with great advice to give.

Don't hesitate to ask questions, whether of the boards generally, or of me again via PMs or e-mail

Once again, welcome

Hi I am an Australian expat in China. I am working as a consultant for a Hong Kong company in their branch office in Shenzhen. I have previously done another consulyancy in Zhuhai which is the mainland city next to Macau.
I have been here two years now and thoroughly enjoy it. I fyou have questions on southern China then please ask. It is alot different to what most people imagine. It is much better.

hi..

I'm Aarti from India. The country rich in culture , history and other things.. I'm new to bootsnall but not new to this concept.
I love travelling sice my childhood , but never got the chance to explore it in its fullest..
But thanks to my job , i 'm able to enjoy lve some bit of my passion for travelling and meeting new people..
Especially in last couple of months , i got introduced to travel networking site and from their i'm literally living day in and out with my plan to visit Europe this autumn..
I'm pretty excited about my this plan and its also my first excursion outside India.. so i'm trying to read as many blogs on travel as i can ...meeting people who love travelling and travel extensivly..
hoping to see lot of travel freaks at bootsnal also..

Aarti

Hi everyone,

My name is Mark. I'm a 29 year-old professional living in Portland, OR in the USA. I'm not very well-travelled at the moment, having visited London and Paris twice each and driven across the USA once (in 4 days, so not a leisurely vacation). I signed up here because I've decided I will be doing a RTW trip sometime before I'm 35. That gives me enough time to save up as much $$ as possible!

Personally, I'm a fairly nerdy guy who loves reading (history is mu fav subject), classical music (Mahler! Woo!), playing board games with buddies, drinking wine, eating too much (although I'm mostly vegetarian), and arguing politics/crap philosophy (that is, my understanding is crap) with people into the wee hours of the morning. I also am an unapologetic Buffy/Angel fan. If that doesn't make me totally gay, then the fact that I dig dudes probably does.

I also am a trained operatic baritone. However, a failed one. *sob*

Cheers!

hi

Hey like your intro bcose all of us like to have point of view on different topics and fight hard to make it sound true..But along with that you call it crap also...

I also want to have RTW but why wen cant say ..Currently i'm planning to go to europe( italy, spain, austria and france) in september..
so working on the bookings / cheap hostel/ hotel / tickets search...

Aarti