Help Send Sherry Ott to Antarctica!
[singlepic=1497,300,,,right]Quark Expeditions is searching for an Official Blogger to join one of their voyages to Antarctica, and I couldn't think of a better person than Briefcase to Backpack co-founder Sherry Ott!
Sherry has been blogging for the past three years on her Otts World site - first during her 16-month career break around the world and now as an expat living in Vietnam. You may think I'm a bit biased, but I fell in love with her writing well before we met and decided to start this site. So if that helped to inspire Briefcase to Backpack, who knows what this expedition could inspire!
In addition to her witty and engaging writing, Sherry has embraced her love for photography while traveling and has become very skilled in transporting you to a place through her photos. I know the combination of these two skills will make anyone feel as if they are on the journey with her.
Here's a bit more from Sherry:
[singlepic=1498,150,,,left]I'm an American living in Vietnam. I'm a blogger, an auntie, a chronic singleton, an amateur photographer, a martini lover, a former IT executive turned English teacher, a world traveler, a twitter addict, and I turn 40 in February 2010. Do you think they have martinis on the ship to celebrate my birthday among penguins, ice caps, and polar bears? Help me find out!
I quit my job and left corporate America behind 3 years ago in search of adventure. I've been traveling, living, blogging, and photographing around the world ever since. However, I'm not one of those seasoned travelers - this is all new to me. I got my first passport when I was 30 years old and my eyes were opened to the world. I want to share the world I see with others, which is why I blog and do photography. I don't make money at it; I do it for the love of it.
Who would I take with me - that's easy - my Dad. I think he's the one person that would appreciate a trip to Antarctica more than me. He's 73 years old and once traveled around the world on a freighter. Adventurous travel is in my genes!
I just renewed my passport this month for the first time. I would love to lose its virginity to an Antarctica passport stamp this February! Please send a middle age nomad and an old man to Antarctica! You'll be able to be a part of it too as I share the experience with you - hell, I'll even send you a post card and save you a piece of birthday cake if the penguins don't eat it all!
Someday is a disease that you will take to the grave with you - so vote for me today!
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.