I just read all the posts and want to say first THANK YOU ALL! I needed the inspiration today, and found it here!

I had the cajones to start...its keeping going that Im finding hard. I graduated from my university after 5 years of working full time, and saving like a mad mother. I managed to get three degrees and 10k saved up to start (I worked all summer too and sold what little I had before I left). Really the hardest part was leaving my girlfriend, but that scar is healing with time.

I did it before I knew that a lot of people did it (nieve, I know), and before I had found this website. Funny to think that actually I had just heard of Jim Rodgers and Ewen McGregor doing it. I wish I had known now what I knew then...would have definatly saved a lot of time and money, but now I know and am benifiting from the collective wisdom. Im seeking it again!

My plan was the no plan plan. I didnt know if I could do a RTW trip - or if I would just find a place to live...but I knew I needed to get out and see what I was made of. Though I still cant say I know, I certainly have a much better idea...and that is a great source of confidence.

I followed where the wind blew - even when it was off the road. I wrecked once in Morocco and had my lip sewn back on by doctors who speak no english. I came close again in Czech tring to get back to Poland. But in general it has been good to me and I have rode almost completly through western europe and into the east(my orrigional half plan was to find work in spain because I speak spanish). I am now in Hungary going south to keep warm.

Anyway a bit over 3 months on the road now and Im facing some huge decisions. How can I keep going? My 10 gs has shrank to around 2.5. Im in Greece. My parents with a friend working for AA bought me a ticket home for Christmas (Im 23). My plates (export plates from germany) will expire in december, and my ADAC insurance run out. I dont know how to get new ones but I think it can be done...though costly.

Ive already sold all I own. My university education would allow me to get great paying jobs in countries where I have a visa...and am willing to stay for a few years (currently just the US and I dont really want to settle there now). I have almost no expenses except for gas and a miniscule amount for food and bike repairs (I need to get a new chain now).

I want to go through turkey down through the western part of the middle east and into africa. Any suggestions on how I can get the money to do it? Can I work on the road? I dont mind staying places for a few months...but I dont speak any of the languages in the places I will be...and tourist season is done. Ill shovel shit if I can get enough petrol for another day on the road...I just need some advice on how to find the stalls to do it in. And maybe some real numbers on what I will need to do Africa.
Thanks again to you all, and I hope to see you on the road!