Julio's Around the World Travel

Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you know, I am about to start my Round-The-Global-South trip. I wanted to tell you about three things.

1) How to contact me while I am gone.
This email: julio@brazilbean.net For more on how to reach me, check out http://www.brazilbean.net/html/contact.htm
2) How to stay in touch with what I am doing.
My website www.brazilbean.net and
To exchange with me and others, my blog http://brazilbean.blogspot.com

3) Ask if you have any contacts at the places I will be visiting. I am definitely traveling economy and would love to stay with folks and also learn about regions by staying with people who live there.
--I am going to India, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka (Sept-February)
--I am also going to Southern Africa - Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Botswana (March-May)
--And, Peru, Argentina, Chile and Ecuador. (July-January 2007). I am all set in Brasil.

About a year ago I decided, under strong guidance from one of my best friend (Mindy), that I would go travel after graduate school. I saved money, made some good financial choices and am now ready to go until my money runs out. Also, while earning my graduate degree in public policy and administration I did a good deal of research on human trafficking and contemporary slavery issues.

Consequently, I am traveling to:
--See the world, learn about it, and learn about myself in it.
--Meet with people and non-governmental agencies who have dealt with and are working on trafficking and slavery issues.

Keep in touch and hugs to all,

Julio

Preparing for OZ

Believe it or not, this is the first time I have "blogged." I was inspired by the fact that I will need a way to keep (YOU) my friends and family updated while I travel, and by my friend Jesus who has always done a dandy job in letting me know he is safe as he dances all over the world.

Since graduation I have been spending most of my days visiting travel related web sites to find - the cheapest ticket, the right phone, the best route, the trafficking in persons (TIP) situation in a region, etc, etc... Travel planning is time consuming so if you ever decide to travel for over a year, start planning early. "First Time Around the World" by Rough Guide has been a blessing. Thanks Doug Lansky!

The most important result is that - I HAVE MY TICKET.

I officially depart Bush-land at 1:05AM on Thursday, September 15th
Two months from today. First stop - Delhi.

My return is currently set for May 6th, 2006. Yup, that's about 7.5 monhts for Phase I of my Round-the-Global-South (RTGS) adventure. In short:

PHASE I
Sept-Dec --> India
Jan --> Cambodia & Vietnam
Feb --> Sri Lanka
Feb-May --> Africa

PHASE II
July-Jan --> Latin America

So, those are the basics for now. Check out www.brazilbean.net for other updates, routes, pictures, etc.

Julio