It is now official, I finally got my international driver’s license ! I won’t go into details for such an accomplishment at the Prefecture of Lyon (1 hour of waiting the first time i went there, until I realised that I forgot my ID in Paris, then 1 hour and a half the second time) for only five minutes of paperwork.

But let’s talk about this international driver’s license, what’s its goal and how to obtain it ? (Read more…)

Here is in chronological order what will be my journey during my one year trip around the world.

A one year trip around the world is a project that is full of questions, but some of them are much more important than others. You must never forget about these 4 categories :

- Vaccines: When do I have to get vaccinated? How much time ahead do I have to plan this? Which ones? How do I get hold of this information?

- Visas: Which ones will I be needing before leaving? What is their validity period? Do I have to ask any during the trip? Where should I go? Which embassy should I visit? How much money are we speaking? Are there any special conditions I might be requested on?

- Budget: How much money will I be needing on cash? How can I calculate my daily expenses?

- Post-departure expenses: What, When, How much, Where? (from airplane tickets to backpacker’s one).

For more info, go to Voir le Monde.

Today, I’ve two excellent news to share with you that will really boost my project .

First, I had an appointment with my financial advisor yesterday at Crédit Lyonnais, to whom I have presented my project. A loan authorised by my bank had emerged from this discussion. I’m already thinking of reimbursing this loan before leaving, in order to save money. I will accomplish this with the temporary job I am planning to take for 5 months after the master is finished by the end of June. My goal is to reimburse 3400 € spent today at Connaisseurs du Voyage…

Hot news indeed! And this is the second important news of the day: I’ve been in the parisian travel agency (located close to the Eiffel Tower) to book my flights! I have just bought an “itinerary”, due to the fact that calendar for 2009 is not yet available. I’ll then have to go back to the travel agency to specify final dates with Michel, parisian manager of the company. So finally, here is my definitive trip. However, never forget that there’s always a chance of slightly changing the trip in order to experience this journey at its fullest!…And also because as already said earlier, the real traveller doesn’t know where he goes…

I have recently started to inform myself about the first countries that I’m going to visit, such as Canada, United-States, and Mexico. To get hold of information, I have bought 2 books: Parcs Nationaux de l’Ouest américain (National parks across West America, which is an area that I can’t wait to visit !) and a guide about Mexico. Of course, I’m also taking into account the presence of some of my friends all along the trip to improve my programs. Moreover, I have just learnt today that Finland was added to my world tour (transit at Helsinki between St-Petersburg and Paris). I’ll probably stay there for a few days so “Hello” Finlanders! Here I come!Anyway, a huge step has been overcome, and it will now allow me to focus on positing my approaches about health, paperworks and countries (without neglecting my work at ESG).Next step : Canada !