Around the World in 365 Days

My friend Jen is leaving this week for a one year round-the-world trip through every continent (except Antarctica.) I’m impressed and not just a little jealous. Round-the-world trips always seemed like a luxury that only the gadabout sons of wealthy men could take. Jen has proved me wrong that point and now I'm longing for a year long travel extravaganza myself.

 

Photo via Schristia on Flickr.

Still, it takes a lot of saving, planning and chutzpah to take a round-the-world trip. If it’s not in the cards for you, Vagabondish offers a great piece on 5 Ways To Take A Round-The-World Adventure Without Leaving Home. Eating ethnic foods, listening to foreign music and letting your imagination run while reading about distant lands are all quick, easy and cheap ways to experience the world. Missing from the article’s list is watching films set abroad which is my favorite way to travel from the comfort of my couch. (although that much should be obvious given the nature of this blog.)

See Spain through Almodovar’s eyes. Visit Italy with Fellini. Go to India by way of Bollywood – just don’t expect everyone to be dancing in the streets if you every go for real. Film is a great way to learn about the world when you can’t get there yourself. I hope one day that I’ll be able to take an extended trip around Asia and Australia, but until I’m singing karaoke in Tokyo, watching Lost in Translation will have to do.