About us
Larissa picked up her love of travel, and fashion sense, on a family trip to Lake George
From a young age, Michael knew he wanted to fly
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Greetings,
After 25 years of marriage we sold our house, ditched most of our possessions and took off to travel around the word for a year. It’s a trip we wish we had taken when we were younger but somehow life always got in the way. We didn’t think we would be going at this point in our lives but family circumstances did not work out the way we had hoped.
Well we finally took the plunge. We started the journey in August, 2011 from our hometown of Philadelphia. After 400 days on the road visiting 32 countries on six continents, we returned to Philly in October, 2012. Since we had no home to return to we decided to keep the adventure going and are now exploring North America.
We’re writing about our continuing journey on this travel blog. “Changes In Longitude” reflects the changes that have occurred in our own lives as we crossed each line of longitude in our global odyssey. We’ve adapted to a simpler lifestyle (living out of a 22″ suitcase for a year will do that to you) and wonder why we kept the few possessions that we did. We are also writing a book about our adventure and welcome any interest from agents or publishers.
Some say it’s crazy for a married couple to spend so much time together and they are probably right, although it’s probably tougher for Larissa to be stuck with Michael for the whole year than the other way around.
We took a piece of home with us, a statue of legendary Philadelphia native and movie icon boxer Rocky Balboa, and took pictures of him along the way at various sites and with people we met.
We hope you’ll follow us on our journey and get tips for YOUR great adventure. It’s never too early to start planning.
Cheers!
Larissa and Michael
PS Okay that’s the short version, for more about our inspiration for this trip please visit our post about the Rocky Steps.
We’d also like to thank The Philadelphia Inquirer for running a nice story about our trip: Couple sells belongings and sets off for a year around the world.
Visiting Petra, April, 2012
Update– October, 2012: After 400 days on the road visiting 32 countries on six continents, we made it back to Philadelphia for a triumphant run up the Rocky steps.
Send us any questions about how to plan YOUR grand adventure!
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With Little Rocky's help, Larissa stops traffic in Saigon.
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
I hope to see a regular feature column in the Food section called…. “Donuts of the World” Every culture seems to have some sort of filled turnover…be it ravioli, won tons, meat patties, empanadas, piroshki… Those same countries must be out there frying some sort of dough as well and if so, I know you will find them, Michael. BON VOYAGE!!!!
Excellent idea. I’ll get right on it.
Have a wonderful journey
Hi Guys,
W.O.W. ! What a great idea. So many of us want to travel but put it off until we are too old to do any. Sorry to hear about some aspects of your world, but this part sounds wonderful.
Let us know before you get to Chile (if you get there) as Marcella is from Valparaíso and may be able to point you to a few places.
Have fun, take lots of pictures, keep up on your shots and stay safe and healthy.
All the best, Schub
Thanks for checking in. We’ll keep in touch as we get to South America.
Hi there,
I read about your adventure in Sunday’s Philly Inquirer! Really interested and a bit envious of your spirit and togetherness! I’ll anxiously await living vicariously through you! I’m at present by myself and wish I just had a good enough “buddy” to see the great old USA, in a mobile home!
BEST OF LUCK!!! Donna
Road Trips in the USA are some of the best trips you can take. We hope you get that chance.
Good for you. Great stories!
Monica from RFBD
Thanks for checking in Monica!
Hi guys. I am so happy for you. Love the Rocky touch. I look forward to following your trip.
Thx Mary. keep on checking in.
What a Way Cool Couple! It was great to take you all on a trip in my big Red Cat biplane! (Michael, Larissa AND Rocky). Rocky was so happy, he kept punching his fists up at the sky in excitement! I wish you all the best with the rest of your travels. Cheers, Chris.
Thanks Chris,
The biplane ride in Twizel was awesome.
Just great reading so far – hope you will get to Sweden (land of my ancestors), like to see what you might write about it. We were there in May, and it is in many ways as I wish the US could be! Warning: the dollar doesn’t go a long way there, though…
Michael is part Swedish too, among many other things, so Sweden is definitely on the list.
Yo from Phila.
Please keep keeping us posted.
Best for 2012.
Bernie.
Thanks Bernie. Hopefully a parade next year.
Bali is one of my favorite places.
Enjoy the culture, people, volcanic mountains, and of course the sea.
Mary O
Thanks Mary. The people are incredibly friendly here in Bali.
I miss you! Hope you are having an absolutely wonderful time. I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately….
Thanks for sharing all your travel plans with us.
xoxo
Happy Holidays,Ellen
We were just thinking about you and Rob and the fun sushi dinner way back when.
Stayed in the same B&B as you in Perth (The Good Life B & B); after our trip across the Nullabor; a couple of days after you and noted your comments in the visitors book. Intrigued and fascinated by your adventure. Good on you.
Carmel and Martin Belsey Adelaide Hills South Australia
Thanks. The Good Life B&B was wonderful as was Perth. Thanks for following us. It’s nice to know someone reads those comment books. Love to hear about your trip across the Nullabor. We had considered doing that.
Hey Michael,
Con and your mom told me about the blog and I have read some of it. Good for you, unfortunately I do not have the guts to do what you are doing.
Good travels and be safe.
Hopefully I will talk to you when you are back home in the land of the brave.
Nick Petruzzella
HI Nick,
Great to hear from you. Hope things are well up north. It doesn’t take guts to take this trip, just desire. So just go already!
Hi guys,
Congratulations on your adventure. We are 3 months into our own 2+ year adventure and loving (almost) every minute of it! Jon and Jenny
Jon and Jenny Stark recently posted..Angkor Wat and the Temples of Siem Reap by Tuk Tuk
And you’re still talking to each other, that’s a good sign.
Hey Larissa
So glad to read about your travels! Miss you so much. When are ou coming back? Nina’s just in Germany and Belgium last week. I’ll let you know next time I’m overseas. Maybe we can meet up.
Your Paris report/pics refreshed my memories of being there in February. If you have time, take the short train ride to Meaux to visit the wonderful museum on World War I — Musee de la Grande Guerre. Architecture is awesome; exhibits are a fascinating mix of war and non-war. If you ever return to Philadelphia, we’ve got to have a verbal celebration! Cheers!
Hi Fred,
We didn’t know about that museum. But Michael did drag Larissa to the World War I battlefield sites in Verdun on our honeymoon. How romantic!
Hi Larissa & Mike,
Congrats on 1-year and counting abroad! Philly awaits your (and Rocky’s) return.
Paul
Hi Paul,
Thanks! Rocky finally made his run up the Rocky steps in Philadelphia in October.
Michael recently posted..A sort of homecoming
Hi Larissa,
Lovely to meet you at World Travel Market in London. Just had a quick browse around your website. It’s fantastic. Well done on making such a big decision look easy, I’m sure you’ll inspire many. Keep up the great work.
One of my favourite quotes is ‘What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?’ I think many are scared of what might happen if failure strikes. They get stuck in a cycle of the ‘what ifs’ and negativity prevails. They procrastinate or get lost in the detail. However ‘what if’ it was the best decision they ever made in their life. I applaud you and your husband for your bravery! Well done.
Sue Bown
Greetings! I think i recognize that I may have worked with Mike at the GSB building in Bala? could be? Anyhow I came across your blog and applaud you two for taking the journey and making it happen. I love the TV station Halogen because i dream of traveling one day like you and many of the shows on Halogen making a plan and winging it! You are trailblazers! Enjoy!
Hi Joyce,
Yes I’m the person from GSB. Great hearing from you and thanks for reading our stories.
Cheers,
Michael