Allons, the road is before us!
It is safe — I have tried it — my own feet have tried it well — be not detain’d!
—Walt Whitman, “Song of the Open Road”
Today I start my sojourn across two dozen countries and 20,000 miles. I fly to London, and from there set out overland toward Israel. I’ll fly from the Promised Land to Moscow, then circle the continent and end up somewhere in India.
I chose to start in Britain in February since the off-season means the two priciest cities, London and Paris, are a little cheaper to visit. If I stick to the broad strokes of my schedule, I’ll end up enjoying the Mediterranean sun in spring and summer, mild weather in Siberian August, cool temperatures in East Asia, and no mosquitoes or monsoons in wintertime Southeast Asia and India.
Here’s what I’m bringing with me for a year on the road:
- REI Vagabond 45L backpack
- Man bag, for a daypack
- Lowa trailrunning boots
- Three pairs of socks and three of underwear
- Long-sleeve, button-down, moisture-wicking shirt
- Two T-shirts
- Nice shirt
- Pair of jeans and a pair of khakis
- Fleece sweater
- Nice North Face jacket
- Hat and gloves
- Pair of flip-flops
- Baseball cap and bandanna
- Basic toiletries
- Pack towel
- Small first aid kit
- Earplugs
- Passport and ID
- Credit card to buy anything I forgot
The eight hour time difference is a killer. I can barely make it through the spring forward part of daylight savings time. My plan is to stay up all night and pass out on the airplane, then wake up in London in-sync and ready.
