Q: Do you always go alone?
Aside from meeting up with friends for a week or so, I have done most of my recent traveling alone. Some type of places really open up more to solo travelers. The locals are more apt to talk to me, invite me to their homes, and share their lives with me. Believe it or not, I do have a list of countries that I do want to go to - but would rather go with a companion. And yes, some are even first world countries. But I figure while I'm young and have the energy, I should do as much of this type of traveling as I can. Besides, I'm never alone for long.

We were all caught in the rain in Sulawesi She's showing off her bike in Turkey

Q: Are you ever scared?
No more than I am living in the US. When traveling in remote areas, you come to expect the stares, the glares, and even a few groping hands in crowded busses, but I am never really scared for my physical safety. Outside of the big cities, I feel much safer abroad than I do at home, where you never know when you'll run into some deranged person with a gun. In fact, when I'm in a small town or village, I never think to lock up my valuables, unless there is another tourist in town. (Sadly, many fund their trip by stealing from other travelers.) Sure, there are some hassles of traveling. There are the touts and the border scam artist. But for every tout, there are dozens of people who just genuinely want to help you out - more so than I've ever encountered in my own country.

Meet Ellie, age 77, independent traveler; If she can do it, so can I

Q: What do you bring?
Whether I go for three weeks or three months, I find I can get by with just about the same amount of clothes. My basic packlist is below, and keep in mind I can fit this all into a 3000 cubic inch pack and keep it under 20 pounds.

All in 3000 cubic inches!

Clothes: two pairs of pants, two pairs of shorts, three short sleeve shirts, one long sleeve shirt, one fleece, one sarong, four pairs of socks and undies, bathing suit, hiking boots, sport sandals, hat, sun glasses, bandana, and rain poncho Toiletries: the basics, first aid kit, ear plugs, bug repellent, sunscreen, sewing kit, flashlight, laundry kit, Gatorade Accessories: neck wallet, day pack, small lock, extra camera and flashlight batteries, calculator, deck of cards, watch alarm, travelers checks, visa card, crisp US dollars ($1 and $20 bills), copies of prescriptions, tickets, passport, etc hidden in triplicate in my regular pack and day pack Memoirs: camera and film (I have three - one SLR, one point and shoot, and one I-zone Polaroid to give photos away instead of sending copies when I return), walkman and tapes (for those 20 hour bus rides), books to read and trade, journal, pens and extra pens to give away, pictures and postcards from home (more useful than I would ever have imagined at breaking the ice with locals)

Q: Where do you sleep?
I have slept in nice hotels, bus stations, hammocks, and airports. Some hotels are quite nice and offer breakfast. Some guesthouses are nothing more than a mattress on the floor and an unbalanced, rickety fan. I've stayed with families I've just met and taxi drivers I feel I really know, especially after riding 10 hours together. But I've found that when I'm tired enough, I can sleep almost anywhere, even sitting up, crammed in some rusty bus with loud Andean music blaring.

$1.50/night room in Delhi

Q: What do you eat?
McDonalds is practically everywhere these days, but I don't travel around the globe to eat what I can get at home. So I eat like I ski; I find the locals who know what they're doing and I follow them. I usually find myself in back alley restaurants and midnight markets, and do a lot of pointing at other people's dishes. When I can, I befriend a kid and have him take me to a restaurant where he orders for the two of us and I pay. It's a great way to get to know the kids, work on my vocabulary (they're very patient), and have company as well. All this for a dollar!

Banana leaf buffet in Bombay	Breakfast in Bali

Q: Toilets?
When I'm lucky, yes, there are western toilets. Otherwise you have to just do as the locals do. Always carry paper, wearing a skirt helps, and when in doubt, follow the signs.

In case you weren't sure

Q: Are you crazy?
Of course, but we all are to some degree. Besides, I wouldn't be a Kadner if I weren't crazy. I owe it all to my father. Thanks dad!