This year, I'm going to be traveling the world on my motorcycle, and I'm bringing everyone I know with me.
I'm in the enviable position of having spent the last 6 years preparing for the journey of my lifetime. I exist in a tight-knit community of travelers who have chosen to spend their lives working for the common good. I have a two-wheeled mobile headquarters tricked out with the latest in documentary A/V equipment, live Satellite tracking on a Google Maps mashup, and a solar powered workstation – completely self-contained. I have an address book full of some of the most interesting social and environmental problem-solvers all over the globe.
My community will be guiding my trip in real-time. The itinerary literally unfolds before me, friends and associates leading me to community and business leaders, fair trade plantations, traditional musicians and remarkable families. Some people will lead me to long lost friends and favorite destinations. Others will be able to participate in a trip they may never have themselves.
To ensure that this trip is a positive one, I will offset all of the carbon usage of my ultra high-efficiency motorcycle, charge all of my appliances using solar and kinetic energy, learn to make the cultural dishes of each region I pass through, and eat only that - buying local, organic, and fairly traded foods.
My goal is this: To document my own journey through the world, in each community exploring innovative cultural traditions, musical and culinary techniques, and creative solutions to life's challenges.
My gear? A rugged thumb-sized camcorder – worthy of 007 – for candid Point-Of-View and scenic road footage, a high quality HD camcorder for in-depth storytelling, and professional audio recording for music, interviews, and creating my own real-time audiobook.
Finally, I'll be offering my services - cooking, music lessons, tech repairs, and video work - for room, board, and a chance to learn from the locals... and that, my friends, is where the adventure begins.
Got a suggestion? Put in your two cents (and see where I am today) by Googling "Where's Bergen"