My Pre-Expedition To-Do List
The first must do after deciding to set out on a round-the-world expedition is to get out a pen and paper and write lists. There will be lists of places you want to see, people you want to meet and questions you want to answer. My lists also include must-read books, top urban planning and design universities, dates of key world events, and a growing list of personal goals and thoughts on the sort of experiences I'd like to have on my travels.
My most important list however is my pre-travel checklist. The list of things I must do between now and when I head off. So what is on this important list?
There are the sensible things:
- Make sure passport is in order - Check.
- Make sure visa requirements are sorted including the best type of visa to apply for, how far in advance do you need to apply for it, are there age cut off dates for application, and do you need to be in your home country to apply? Half way there, this requires an entire spreadsheet...
- Get travel insurance - Contemplating options. I hear 1Cover is good? Any recommendations?
- Vaccinations - Good thing I travel often! I've been recommended CDC Travel to keep on top of my vaccination needs along the way.
- Make sure finances are sorted - enough money to self fund your journey or if not at least a business plan to fund your big ideas - Business plan in the works.
- Make sure your future finances are sorted. The last thing you want to be is in a financial pickle when you return! - ... Investment strategy halfway there.
- If you love your job, make sure you get the OK from work. - No one's batted an eyelid yet! So it must be ok! ;)
Then there are the more interesting items like essential life skills and must-invest tools needed to make sure you're able to experience the most out of your journey. Your list might be different from mine, but here is my must acquire pre-expedition list:
- Learn how to cycle on the road
- Learn how to drive a manual car
- Get an International Drivers Licence
- Figure out social media - I've now got Twitter and Instagram! Add me! :)
- Invest in a decent camera and learn how to take beautiful photos
- Gather tips on filming/making videos - look out for Urban CurioCity the documentary!
- Learn how to podcast
- Look up universities / courses for city planning, sustainable technology ... potential pHD?
- Talk to an investigative journalist for pointers on how to process observations and learnings
- Talk to a socio-ethnographer - acquire some professional people-watching skills
- Get business cards
- Invest in a new laptop/tablet/work device - figure out the essential technology I need to bring
- Get a Google Drive / Dropbox subscription
- Take some self defence classes
- Become a Chartered Engineer
Some of the above may make you laugh, or you might even have an aha! or touché moment. And that's the point. These activities are on my list to open my mind; so that I am physically and mentally equipped with the basic skills and resources I may need to make the most of this journey. Just imagine, being able to cycle along like a local in Amsterdam, or car-share with someone on a long road trip across the US. These are the life skills that will get me places.
The very act of going out of my way to consciously learn these new skills has led to some really interesting city-exploring adventures...
Like this one, while out driving my manual car... 🚗
Or my ongoing quest to negotiate the various cycle routes across the city... 🚲
...seriously, add me to Instagram and Twitter for more pre-expedition amusement.
To read about the bold ideas I have for when I'm on the road check out my 100 Year Plan!
Much love,
Katrie x