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I am thrilled to announce that starting in June, Mario and I are going on a journey around the globe! And we’re doing it with a purpose: we are telling the stories of people around the world through Mario’s portrait photography project of five years.
We are spending a year on the road — just us, our cameras, our computers, and the world.
Is This Crazy?
You know, because I’m planning a yearlong trip with someone I’ve been dating for only six months?
Some would think so. But believe me when I say that this trip probably one of the more sane and “normal” parts of our relationship. (And we were planning it less than a day into our relationship.) We get along brilliantly, and at the same time, our relationship is beautifully unconventional.
When I first met Mario, I spent three days running away from him because I was terrified — right away, I knew that he would change my life, and I was afraid of what that would entail. Then I stopped running long enough to have a conversation with him, and after we got together in London, learned that he is more than I ever dreamed to hope for. I literally thought that people like Mario didn’t exist. How wrong I was.
And since we’ve been together, we’ve already traveled to Stockholm, Glasgow, Paris, Edinburgh and Berlin. As this post goes live, we’re on our way to the US — our sixth country together, if you count Portugal, where we met.
(I was so nervous when he took this picture that I thought I might pass out. Later, he told me he was just as nervous.)
The Someone Once Told Me World Tour
Mario runs a site called Someone Once Told Me. Every day for nearly six years, he’s put up a new black and white photo of a person holding a sign featuring a quote that someone once told them — something that they’ve always remembered.
Sometimes they’re funny.
Sometimes they’re sad.
But they are always meaningful.
I call Mario the Keeper of Our Secrets. People open up to him in seconds and often tell him things they’ve never told anyone else before.
For years, Mario has dreamed of taking photos for Someone Once Told Me around the world. As a journalist at the BBC, he has the option of taking a yearlong career break and his job will be waiting for him when he returns.
This was always going to be Mario’s dream project, and the fact that we met when we did was incredibly fortuitous timing. It’s morphed into a joint adventure between us. I love a challenge, and I’m thrilled to help him get 1,000 new pictures from around the world.
We Need Your Help
This trip is a collaboration between Mario and his SOTM fans. Through much of the trip, we’re staying with SOTM readers, meeting their friends and families, and getting as many people involved in the project as possible.
To make that work, we need your help.
- Will you be living in any of the destinations we’re visiting? Could we photograph you for Someone Once Told Me? Could you bring your friends? Could you show us what makes your hometown special?
- Do you have a group we could photograph? Mario constantly goes to group events here in London to take photos because it’s efficient to get several people at once. Do you have a group of friends we could meet at a bar? Could we attend a meeting of an organization you’re part of? Could we perhaps visit your office?
- Could you come to our meetups? We’re holding casual meetups in a variety of cities, promoted through Couchsurfing and local groups. We’ll take people’s SOTM pictures in a popular and photogenic location in your city, get everyone’s stories, and head to a bar or cafe afterwards.
- Do you work in media? We’re looking for the SOTM Tour to get coverage in the destinations we’re visiting and beyond. Could you feature us?
If you’re interested in any of this, please feel free to contact me or contact Mario.
To keep updated: Follow Someone Once Told Me and Adventurous Kate on Facebook, follow Mario and me on Twitter, and sign up for my newsletter.
So, Where Are We Going?
Here comes the good stuff! We’ll be hitting around 20-25 countries total. And as always, this list could change significantly.
Part I: Europe (June-mid July)
Leaving from London, we’ll be making stops in Paris and Geneva before heading down to Bologna for a full week in Blogville Emilia-Romagna (and the tiny nation of San Marino). Next it’s up to Augsburg, Germany for Josh & Daniel’s Wedding Part Two, then Zug, Switzerland with a day trip to Zurich. After that we will take what I think is one of Europe’s most beautiful train journeys — across all of Austria to Vienna. I might visit Bratislava for the day as well.
From Vienna we fly direct to Malta, the island where Mario grew up and the place that he loves beyond measure. We plan to spend around ten days in Malta.
Part II: Middle East/Africa (mid-July to early August)
Next up is Egypt! The current plan is to spend around five days in Cairo. At that point, Mario will go to South Africa on his own, where he will be working with some charities in Port Elizabeth. In the meantime, I’ll hang out in the beach town of Dahab and possibly visit Israel on my own.
We’ll reunite in Dubai just in time for my 29th birthday.
Part III: East Asia (early August to late September)
Then comes a long flight to the land of the rising sun: Japan! It’s a country both of us have dreamed of visiting for years and years and we’re massively excited! After Japan, we’re heading to South Korea, then to China, overlanding from Beijing to Hong Kong with stops in several cities.
Part IV: Southeast Asia and Vicinity (October to early February)
From Hong Kong, we’ll fly to Bangkok, where we’ll be quasi-based for the next four months. By then, it will have been two and a half years since I was last in Southeast Asia, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to be returning to this part of the world…and to take Mario to his first ping pong show.
During those four months, we will use Thailand as a springboard for visits to Bhutan (!!), Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei. Also during that time, I have some gigs lined up in other countries, so I’ll be in and out of the region.
Part V: Australia (February)
Mario and I are fortunate enough to have many Australian friends, and we’re looking forward to visiting them on their home turf. We’re somewhat terrified of how expensive everything is there (not to mention how bad the internet is), so our time in Oz will be limited — maybe three weeks, tops. We hope to visit Sydney and Melbourne and see friends in Port Macquarie.
Part VI: US/Canada Road Trip (March to late May)
After that is a transpacific flight to Canada, the land of poutine and polite people. We want to start our North America journey in Vancouver, then head to Seattle and rent a car for a road trip. We plan to do a giant U shape around the US, taking in much of the South, before finishing in Boston. High on Mario’s list: San Francisco, New Orleans, and Macon, Georgia (hometown of Little Richard). High on my list: the national parks in southern Utah, Savannah, and Portland (where I intend to spout Portlandia jargon nonstop).
Boston will be our base for the final weeks of the trip
We’re also toying with the idea of heading to Guatemala and Belize (me) or Mexico (him, as he wants to go to Guadalajara and lick the doorstep where Chicharito, his favorite footballer, grew up).
And then Mario will head back to London and the BBC. I might go with him then; I might spend more time with my family in the States. And then it will be time to move back to London, find a new place to live, and move on to the new step in our lives.
The Solo Travel Question
So now that I’m traveling extensively with my partner, can I still call myself a solo traveler? Absolutely. I fully intend on continuing to travel solo, and will be breaking apart from Mario on some of this trip to do my own thing. I didn’t start traveling solo because I had nobody to go with — I travel solo, then and now, because I love the freedom that it brings.
In the meantime, the branding of my site will be altered slightly to be aimed more toward independent female travelers than solo female travelers. As much as I appreciate and cherish my male readers, my female readers have always been the core of this site and I intend to continue to writing pieces that inspire women to travel.
I look forward to taking you on this journey!
Excited you’re coming to Portland! It’s great here!
Count me in for either the southern tour – show you some beautiful rolling hills outside Houston and of course the big city. You can crash at our house and meet the great group of women who travel with me to Paris each year – they will have some incredible tales for SOTM. And, when you head to New England, you must show Mario Newport!
Cheers,
Priscilla
Ahh! Congrats!!! I was all, UM YES WE’RE TOTALLY HOSTING YOU GUYS! And then I realized you’re not going to be in the U.S. until March, at which point I’m hoping we’ll have gotten stationed overseas (should be by February). Bummer! Anyway, I think it sounds like an incredible project and I can’t wait to follow along!
most likely, yes! 🙂 I’ll keep reading your blog to know where and when!
China — FINALLY. 🙂 Hit me up when you get there, I’ve got loads of recommendations!
I’m what we call a “native” of Portland, and work in media. I can help you get local coverage for your stop here. Let me know if you’d like my help.
Congrats on your next big thing!
Oh hey and P.S. (wait did my last comment even publish?) if you DO decide you want to make a run to Fort Bragg, North Carolina before we move, I’ll see what I can do about arranging for a photo op with some men and women in uniform for the project!
Wow you guys are going a lot of places and looks like a lot of fun. I might be in London at that time of year.
Hi Kate
I am so excited for you! What an amazing time this is for you both. I would love to have you visit me and my big group of multicultural and flamboyant friends here in London. I regularly perform at an incredibly fun event called the La La Piano Bar which is held at Jewel Club in Piccadilly Circus. The host of the evening is David Roper of 4 Poofs and a Piano ( Jonathan Ross show) him and a crew of friends and enthusiastic followers as well as performers like myself help to create a night of raucous fun with singalongs and live music, everyone is super friendly, you’d think it was a house party! You might find Carmen Miranda singing III or 80’s Disco sensation and comedian Al Pilay .. Perhaps listen to some serious Jazz as well! And if you’re passing through Northern Tuscany in Lunigiana you could both stay as my guest at Torre Fiorita, my 13th century Tower in Mulazzo once hone of the Malaspina family and Dante! Hope to hear from you. Chantal
Toronto is the 4th largest city the safest large metropolitan area in North America, it’s also one of the most multicultural cities in the world.
Just saying…
Amazing idea! Shame New Zealand isn’t on ya list 🙂 – Wellington is just a skip away from Oz!
This trip sounds so amazing and exciting! I love Mario’s photographs and the concept too. I didn’t see anything about you doing to India – It’s an amazing country and a photographers dream. You would be sure to get some really excellent, interesting shots there. I can’t wait to read all about your trip. Happy travels.
Congrats on your travels & on finding someone greatly suited to your lifestyle!
I’m really happy for you both! Japan is also on my list of places to visit!
Wishing you both happy travels!
Eleni
Holy awesome!
Look us up when you get to Vancouver, we’re happy to show you around
Glad to see my home country Brunei listed in your plans!!! 🙂 and yes! I wanna be in that SOTM photo!! 🙂
I’m in Bratislava!!! I quit my job in 2011 and have lived in 2 countries (and backpacked to many others) since, all after I was inspired by your blog, which I had found when you were just about to leave on your Asian 6 month trip. I’d LOVE to be part of this project!!! I would also be willing to go to Viena if you decide not to come to Bratislava!
Hey Kate,
I don’t really have anything intelligent to say, other than this is a really thrilling post…so I can’t even imagine the excitement you must be feeling about taking the trip! This genuinely inspires me to kickstart my own adventures as a recently-single-wannabe-longterm-traveller…just gotta figure out the hows 😉
I’ll be reading!
If you drive from Melbourne to Sydney, why not stop in on my adopted home of Canberra? I would happily organise something for you.
Will be in Melbourne so say Hello when your in and can show you some cheap eats , there’s a Vietnamese street which I’m sure you’ll live!
That is one epic trip! And I love the black and white photos. It must be so interesting seeing what people come up with in their messages.
How exciting. You two seem so adorable together. The project sounds awesome. I’ll be in Cambodia in October, so if you are going to be there I would be very happy to take part in the project.
I live close to San Francisco and would love to be part of this! 🙂
I live in Portland and I love it! My husband and I would be happy to help out with your Someone Once Told Me pictures. And we probably have some friends who would be game too! And you can quote Portlandia all you want; we do it all the time! Hope to see you in Portland in about a year!
Sounds like a such great adventure! Hope it’s amazing!
What an incredible year! Glad you’re finally going to get to Japan – I know I’ve read a few posts where you’ve mentioned how much you wanted to go there, yet haven’t.
Wow Kate! This sounds awesome and I’m really excited to read all about your trips. It really sounds spectacular – hopefully I can run into you and Mario somewhere!
Sounds like an excellent project. I’m happy you’re happy 🙂
Pero por que no tiempo en Latin America? 😉
I am a relatively new follower to your blog, a friend of mine put me onto you as I have been talking to him about my desire to see the world, but scared that it will all go horribly wrong..lol. Have to say reading your blogs have pretty much dissipated that fear…so eager to start my travels at the end of the year!!! This new adventure of yours sounds amazing…I see you are not coming to NZ though..such a shame 🙁 ..perhaps next time aye!! Look forward to following your new journey Kate! 🙂
Kate, I’d love to show you around in Portland if you decide to spend some time in my fair city. If you have a day free, I can show you some of the quirkier things that “Keep Portland Weird” (I’m a Vayable tour guide and ambassador for Portland), or we can go taste the food carts, or coffee or beer or distilled spirits or….I could go on! There’s some great spots to do day trips too…the Oregon Coast, the Columbia River Gorge…I grew up in Oregon, so I know some of the history that doesn’t always make it into the tourist guides…anyways, please feel free to get in touch and let me know when you’ll be in town.
If you are in Cambodia in October let me know and I would be very happy to take part in your project. 🙂
Wow- this is a great post! I love this project and you will have so much fun devoting a whole year to travelling all over the world- it sounds amazing.
Kate, that sounds absolutely AMAZING. Your post inspired me to look more into a RTW trip of my own.
Unfortunately I won’t be in any of those places, haha…but keep everyone posted on whether or not you head to Central America, as I may be traveling through there at some point!
I’m so glad I found this wonderful post. I look forward to following your amazing adventures around the globe! Good luck to both of you as you begin this exciting journey together.
Wow! Amazing adventure Kate. Love the concept. So glad you are coming to Oz. The internet is getting better, you can get 4G although it is expensive. You can find cheap(er) ways to do things
What measures do you have in place to protect yourself as a lone female traveller?
A recent news story has generated a lot of comments from readers. One in particular that caught our eye is from a female traveller who says “I travel a lot with work & feeling safe and secure in your hotel room, particularly as a woman on her own, is of paramount importance”.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2309934/Soby-John-10-years-wicked-hotel-porter-raped-celebrity-guest-slept.html
Hi Kate
Long time follower and fan of your adventures. I think its a fantastic idea!
Got mates in Aus in Forster near Port Mac if you need it Ill reach out to them. I’m still in London by the time you reach Aus so I won’t be there unforts!
If you’re doing a shoot in London I’d be on board.
Hi Kate!
It’s a really good project! It sound amazing! GOOD LUCK 🙂
My wife, myself and our 2 best friends are also taking a world wide 6 month+ journey starting next month and it’s always so cool to see and read about people doing the same. Thanks for providing more inspiration for us to get out and see as much as we can!
Try to visit Philippines, specially Boracay and some part of the Philippine Islands. There’s so many beautiful sceneries and different sites.
if you want to add some of beautiful experience and adventure, Visit some Philippine Beautiful islands.
For more info http://www.zest-inflight.com/blog/article/Boracays%20Other%20Beach%20The%20Lighter%20Side%20of%20the%20Island
Hope you like it,
Try to visit Philippines, specially Boracay and some part of the Philippine Islands. There’s so many beautiful sceneries and different sites.
if you want to add some of beautiful experience and adventure, Visit some Philippine Beautiful islands.
For more info http://www.zest-inflight.com/blog/article/Boracays%20Other%20Beach%20The%20Lighter%20Side%20of%20the%20Island
Hope you like it,
Sounds like it is going to be amazing!!! Good luck!
As for posing for photos, I will be in Morocco this entire summer if you happen to swing by there during your Middle East stint.
And next year, on your road trip across the US and the South, DEFINITELY stop in Tuscaloosa, Alabama!! All of us here at the University of Alabama would definitely love to pose for photos, and it is a fantastic university town to visit as well. I will always be in touch through my blog 🙂
Would love to have you come to Colorado – I’m in the Boulder area.
Make sure you give me a heads-up when you make it out here to Bangkok – especially as you’ll be here so long! Would be great to meet you and very happy to be involved in the project!
I love this concept and that you are headed out on the open road again! Any chance you will be swinging by Perth, Australia?
Amazing! I hope you guys have a really good year ahead. Too bad your’e not making it to India!
Ohh how I envy you guys for doing this. 🙂 Sent you a message Kate! Hope to see you guys in Manila, Philippines!
Just saw your website, and it is great! This trip sounds wonderful too! If you’re in Los Angeles, I would love to help out!!
What about South America?. Peru, Argentina, the majestic Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Cuba, Bolivia these are some beautiful countries full of nature, culture and life! You would probably love it!
I would — but there just isn’t enough time! We fully intend on going to Latin America.
Hey Kate!
I have been following your blog for over a year now! You are truly amazing and an inspiration to all female travelers! I am an American currently living in Adelaide, Australia….a very underrated city in Oz. Travelers always tend to visit the more well-known mega-cties, but if you guys are going to be in Australia in February I highly recommend taht you visit Adelaide. The city truly comes alive for the annual Fringe Festival, a time where performers from across the globe congregate to perform their best shows! http://www.adelaidefringe.com.au/
If you and Mario find yourselves with more time to spare, I would love to host you! Adelaide is also a gorgeous city full of cozy pubs and surrounded by major wine regions and breathtaking beaches. My fiance’s family owns one of the largest wineries and I am sure we would be able to hook you up with a fabulous tour!
Keep traveling and writing, and best of luck on your year-long tour! xo
Thank you so much, Flavia! We’ll let you know if we get there. 🙂
I think this is such a great project!
and by the way…
Hi Kate, I’ve been following your blog for awhile now, and thank you for allowing me to do some “travelling” and/or “reminiscing” at my desk. So I have 2 homes – Hong Kong and San Francisco. Pretty much lived half my life in both cities. I currently am in San Francisco and with perfect timing, I will be in Hong Kong in November. I’m sure you may already know many people in the two cities…but if the timing’s right, I’d love to show you my favorite spots in HK 🙂
Thank you, Liz! We may be there in September…