From Canada east to China, 07/08

[Tensor]

Well, I've been planning this trip for a good 5 months now. That means I've basically got all the details down and its been in the works long enough that I'm actually going to pull it off. I've quit my job, decided what will happen to my belongings, and my friends are inviting me to DJ an all-night rave when I go.

The when aspect will be decided on mail. I'm currently waiting on necessary mail and plan to submit my passport application at the end of the month or in the first week of next month if my mail is late. That's the only reason I'm still here, actually. The passport site estimates 7-9 business days before the passport will be ready to pick up (its faster than waiting 2 weeks + mail time to get it sent to me). The party before leaving is on the 11th next month. So, again, depending on mail, I'll be leaving in the second half of July.

I know I titled the topic from Canada, but I'll really be starting in the UK. I figured a cheap flight would be easier than swimming it. I've got family and friends around Europe that I'll get to meet, too. My route, though, will depend in temperatures, weather, and preference at the time. I have planned 2 possible routes. One is through northern Europe and to the eastern coast of Russia and then entering China. The other is through southern Europe to China, including Egypt and India.

The entire trip will be done hitchhiking and, while having some money saved, I'd prefer to rely on wits rather than money. I'll be doing the journey with someone close to me, so I won't be too lonely either. I'm setting asside the 5 years my passport will be valid for the trip. My only fear is that my travel partner and myself will get separated along the way! At long last, its almost good-bye known world.

[Kola_bear]

Wow,I hope to someday take a trip like that.
I wish you the best of luck in your travels. I'm sure it will be a wonderful life changing experience

[Mudcrab]

I`m planning about the same, from holland to shanghai, take the ferry to kobe, and hitchhike to yokohama (japan). I`m also wondering if i should go north or south of the black and the caspian sea. going north is faster, as the absolute distance is shorter, and it might be easier to get rides in russia than in south asia. I want to sea India though.
why are you planning on going to egypt? it`s a bit far of route, in fact, it`s an enormous detour right?

[Tensor]

Well, its just somewhere I want to see? I want to take as long as possible. If I just wanted to see Asia, I'd fly there instead, heh.

[Mudcrab]

ah, I understand. I`m limited by the 1 2/3 months of my summer vaction, so i can`t afford to wander off. And seeing asia is enough for me

[Teho]

I've been planning similar thing though I'm stuck for school rather than passport reasons... Just one tip,, if you're gonna be in the countryside in Chine EVERY word of mandarin you learn will be of great use.... Or use a picket dictionary

[Tensor]

Well, I'm back home. I returned home almost a month ago and I'm flat broke. Not 0$ flat broke, but flat broke in comparison to before my trip. Was my trip hard? Yes. Was it anything or anywhere where I expected? No. It definitely had its downs and hard points. But, really, I wouldn't change it in any way.

I came home thinking I'll never do it again. Afterall, how could I keep it up? It was fun, but not really a life. I'm out of money and winter is coming. I've got friends at home still and dreams. I had my fun and now its time to live 'normally.' But just today, in a random video on youtube, I saw a video looking out of a car driving down an interstate and I couldn't help but wish I was there. It seems I'm dying to be on the road again already. The only difference is that this time I want it enough that I don't care if I have the money to do it. I guess I just can't keep the road out of me.

[explorer]

Wow. I hope you post more details about your trip, about the ups and downs of it.

[RexanTexan]

yeah and post some pix of your adventure if you can .

[Mihail6990]

aren't you going 2 pass Russia in order to reach China?