So I most definitely underestimated the stress involved in planning and packing for two separate trips totaling eight weeks and driving home to Mentor. But I made it, bags packed and ready to go. Yesterday I had a great dinner with some wonderful friends, and today I got to spend some quality time and catch up with two of my favorite people, whom I haven’t seen in a very long time.

Anyway, I have been getting a lot of the same questions from many friends and family, so I thought that I would add a FAQ’s section to this entry….here we go….

Q: Why would you want to go to Southeast Asia?
A: Why not? It sounds awesome to me….why would you not want to go?

Q: Is it safe?
A: Safer than you probably think as long as you aren’t stupid. I do not plan to be stupid.

Q: Aren’t you worried about being kidnapped/raped/molested/robbed/poisoned?
A: Nope.

Q: Are you more excited or nervous?
A: I’m not nervous at all, I tend to do well on my own. Starting to get excited but it probably won’t hit me until I actually get on the plane.

Q: What are you packing/bringing?
A: As little as possible. Everything I bring will have to be carried on my back, so if it isn’t essential, it doesn’t get to come. I’ve got a big backpack and a messenger bag. My backpack officially weighs in at 19.2lbs and my messenger bag comes in at 7lbs. Even that seems like a lot to me….you can expect to see the same clothes over and over again in most of my pictures….

Q: Why are you going alone?
A: For me, going alone will be so much less stressful than going with someone or a group of someones. Again, I really do better on my own than with others whom I have to keep track of or look after. I can sleep when I want, go where I want, do what I want. For instance, if I am scared to eat the food (a distinct possibility) and eat nothing but ice cream for several days (also a distinct possibility), well ice cream is delicious and there is no one to complain about it. Plus, I am hoping to meet loads of fellow travelers along the way to hang out with and swap stories.

So that’s it people! I am currently working on more pics for you, as well as a possible phone number for everyone to be able to call/text me. More on that to follow….

Next entry will be (keep your fingers crossed) from Hanoi, Vietnam!