Trans World Expedition: Driving Around the World

In November, I'll be quitting my job and heading out on one of the last true adventures left on earth: Driving around the world.

This photo taken Oct 17, 2009 shows Nicolas Rapp pullling down what will be his sleeping quarters during his drive around the world. (AP Photo/Nicolas Rapp)

(AP)

I'll spend about a year on the road, starting and finishing in New York. When I can't drive, I'll ship the car by boat, then fly to the next stop to pick it up.

The route is sinuous. Cross Central America, then head down South America to Buenos Aires. From there, I'll ship the car to South Africa, then drive north through Africa to Europe. I'm a native of France, so I'll stop in Paris to get some paperwork done, then go east through Eastern Europe, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and India. I'll ship the car to Thailand, drive to Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia, and put the car on a final sailing home to the U.S.

My blog about the trip, where I'll post updates from the road, is called "Trans World Expedition: The year of living dangerously." I hope it will be a good tool for people who want to do a similar trip.

It is scary to leave your girlfriend, your career, your apartment and people you know to have a year of waking up in unfamiliar places. Many people think I'm insane to quit my job when the economy is so bad. But I'm 33 and I've worked since age 18. I came to New York as an artist and ended up as an art director. It's early enough in my life that I can take a year off, then come back, hopefully pick up my career and start a family.

I believe a trip like this is something many people dream of. When you're young and a student, you don't have money to travel, but when you're working and can afford it, you don't have time. I always thought I would buy a place in New York, but when you think about it, is there a better investment than traveling around the world? Wouldn't you be smarter after doing that? Wouldn't you have incredible stories to tell your kids and grandkids?

THE ROUTE: My path will change depending on places I discover, tips, climate, where I can catch a boat, driving conditions, and visas. Staying out of trouble will also determine my route and how long I stay in one place.

Driving around the world may be more difficult now than it was in the 1960s, even though cars are more reliable and roads are better. Wars and civil unrest have eased in Latin America, but the crossing the Middle East is now a challenge. Here are some problems I'll face: