My next journey: Around the world with no luggage
Today I’m excited to announce my latest travel project: the No Baggage Challenge.
Starting Saturday I will embark from New York on a journey that will take me around the world without using a single piece of luggage. From late August to early October I will explore 12 countries on five continents, crossing the equator four times, without carrying so much as a man-purse. The few items I do bring (including a toothbrush, an iPod, and a few extra items of clothing) will be tucked away in my pockets.
Why try such a thing? Well, for starters — as someone who’s spent much of the past 16 years traveling to various corners of the world — the idea of hitting the road without any bags sounded like an intriguing challenge. Not to mention a whole lot of fun.
But I also see my journey as a field-test for a more philosophical idea — that what we experience in life is more important than what we bring with us.
To follow the journey in real-time, please visit my Bootsnall-sponsored blog (ScotteVest, a travel-clothing company, is my other sponsor):
Be sure to check out the sub-pages that describe the journey, including:
- Why Rolf is traveling around the world with no luggage
- No Baggage Challenge: The Route
- No Baggage Challenge: The Ground Rules
- Why this journey doesn’t really count as vagabonding
- General information about the Challenge
August 19th, 2010 at 9:18 am
This will be an interesting trip! You’ll be able to get in and out of the airports quicker. Look forward to reading about your “no baggage” trip.
August 19th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Sounds fascinating. Where will you be doing your writing?
August 19th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Cheers! I’ll write on my iPod, using a bluetooth keyboard. Videos on how that works (or fails to) will come in time, so keep an eye on the rtwblog…
August 19th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Wow, I’m kinda speechless.
Here I was thinking how cute I was for my million-and-one uses of a bandana (the greatest traveling item/tool ever) — and now this!
Some of the most interesting (and hilarious) stories are born in times of sudden need. Just be sure not to begin taking generosity for granted.
Give us a reminder later in the month when you leave, I’m super interested to follow along. Sweet website btw.
August 19th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
And by later this month, I meant… two days from now? Was reading the “late August” timetable on the website. Yay!
August 19th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
Whoa! I’m curious to see how you deal with the laundry issue and dry clothes. Sure you can wash the clothes, but what about drying? Unless you buy clothes along the way which could be affordable in SE Asia but other places might take up a lot of time. Good luck with the trip!
August 20th, 2010 at 9:33 am
[…] My next journey – Around the world with no luggage: And while I am on the topic of travel, holy crap! Ralf Potts (of Vagabonding fame) is traveling […]
August 21st, 2010 at 11:10 pm
According to Rolf, whom I head the pleasure of meeting tonight, he says he does go thru shirts pretty fast and is curious himself to see how it’ll all work out. He brought ‘method detergent’ in a small bottle in one of his 18 pockets. Does anyone know what that is? Will be watching closely as this journey unfolds. Very inspiring. I think we are all too attached to our ‘stuff’.
August 24th, 2010 at 8:58 am
[…] out Rolf’s website (and funny video) for more […]
August 24th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
[…] announced last week, Rolf’s latest travel project is the No Baggage Challenge — a journey that will take […]
August 24th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Wow great article. Sounds like you’re a well experienced traveler. I like the way of your doing this. Wish you all the best.
Read this article to learn about Environmental Friendly Travelling
December 18th, 2010 at 12:02 am
[…] may know, Vagablogging’s ringleader Rolf Potts recently took a quick trip around the world traveling with no luggage whatsoever in the No Baggage Challenge. The trip took the idea of traveling light to an extreme, yes, but it […]