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As some of you may know, in 4 weeks I will be taking off for a summertime adventure. I’m making a pit stop in Iceland (more on that later) on my way to the UK where the journey of a lifetime will kick off. I’ve mentioned the Mongol Rally in passing before but more to do with fashion dilemmas than anything else.
It’s true, I may not seem like the likeliest of candidates to participate in such an undertaking as the Mongol Rally but that is precisely one of the reasons I’m doing it. I actually have a huge adventurous spirit, bigger than many realize, and this sort of challenge is really going to feed my soul. Yes, I’m doing all my prep work just like my teammates, ie, visas, travel doctor, international license, medical insurance, etc. But these things are just small preparations.
Here are some of the things that wake me up at night AND conversely, other things I’m NOT concerned about with regard to the Mongol Rally that even surprise me!
Concerns
Packing in only a backpack for almost 6o days and having clean clothes.
Bug bites. Mosquitos LOVE me. This may have been my #1 concern before going to Cambodia.
Shaving my legs or lack there of…when it’s hot and I’m donning shorts, well no one likes fuzzy gams.
Getting my hair dyed pink and having it stay that way for the entire adventure.
Finding amazing treasures. In doing some research it appears I’m going to like some of the fashion I find along the way. Currently coveting these from Mongolia.
Having my border booty confiscated. Not only am I bringing it overseas in a “not on the up and up” kind of way but one of my teammates already got his stolen out of his checked bags. It’s a REAL problem.
Staying connected via internet access. I’m not one to go long without being in touch. I will probably have a breakdown if I cannot be connected fairly frequently.
Anti-Concerns
Where are we sleeping every night? I have zero clue and this would not usually be the norm for me.
The lack of a return plane ticket home. Besides when I moved to NYC with a one-way ticket, I have never traveled without a return ticket or a hard return date. PS – it’s exhilarating. Like a story with no known ending.
Driving a stick shift on the wrong side of the car. I figure, eh…I will work this out. I drove a stick for 3 years.
Border crossings & border patrol. There are some tales out there that should concern me. BUT if the border guards look like Mr. Moscow, I’m a happy girl. I don’t know. I’m not a trouble maker in these kinds of situations.
Immunizations. I try to be prepared and even when the travel doctor suggested I get Hep B vaccinated in case I need a blood transfusion due to an auto accident, I was like, that’s not going to happen. I got the vaccination anyway!
The fact that my visas will cost me at least 5 times more than my share of my rally car. Car $200 Visas $1000+. Who cares, you only live once and the Mongol Rally is just that kind of adventure.
Making up bullshit dates and forms in order to secure visas. Hello lying…it seems this is par for the course, so I’m not going to worry. Apparently, Consulates accept false info just fine.
Anyway, it’s sure to be a one-of-a-kind adventure. It will likely turn out that I haven’t even thought of the thing that I should be most concerned about with regard to the Mongol Rally. There is really no preparing for it. Soooo I’m just gonna roll with it!
