Some people live for adventure, but two girls from Saratoga Springs are taking it to an extreme.
Emily Curtin-Phillips, 24, and Adriane Ohanesian, 22, have always been
avid travelers, hungry to experience new places and cultures.
When they learned that the World Cup will be held in Cape Town, South Africa in 2010, they thought this would be the perfect time for the trip of a lifetime. After already having visited Africa for several months, the girls decided they were ready to take their trip to the next level by traveling by camel from Cairo, Egypt to Cape Town. The 5,000 mile trip will take them through seven countries along the eastern coast of Africa.
"We've both spent a lot of time in Africa and have traveled to most of the countries we will be riding through already. I really think this is something we are capable of," Curtin-Phillips said.
Curtin-Phillips attended the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs and graduated from Skidmore College. While attending Skidmore, she studied abroad in Cairo. Ohanesian also attended Waldorf School and graduated from Colorado College, studying abroad in Indonesia.
While the trip is a year away, Ohanesian and Curtin-Phillips are currently looking for sponsors to help fund the expenses such as flights and buying camels and hiring possible guides and camel trainers.
"Under a very tight budget, I think we can do it for about $10,000, but that's very frugal," Curtin-Phillips said. "It all depends on who supports us also. If we get sponsors, we'll have to adjust the itinerary if they want us to do something for them."
To most people, the thought of two young American women traveling through Africa may sound a little crazy. To them, however, it's all about the adventure.
"We know the terrain. We've spent a lot of time in Sudan. This isn't typical travel, and there is a big difference between traveling and taking a vacation. To do these things is a lifestyle choice," Ohanesian said.
Their biggest concern? The camels.
"Camels are not native to Southern Africa and some of the governments don't have clear rules about camels and if they are allowed in certain places," Curtin-Phillips said. "We are also reading up on how to take care of them. Camels can be aggressive and while they can go without water, they can't go without food."
Depending on how much money they have to work with, the girls hope they can buy five to 10 camels in Cairo and sell them when their journey is over.
"We want to have a very slow and intimate trip through Africa. To race by in a car isn't really seeing the land. We will be up close, taking our time," Curtin-Phillips said.
They are looking forward to returning to the desert and the culture of the people there.
"There is a certain philosophy of desert people. They are the most hospitable people. In that environment, they depend on each other. There's never a question of helping someone because they never know when the day will come that they need help," Curtin-Phillips said.
"Most people don't know a lot about Africa. There are a lot of negative connotations in people's minds about life in Africa, but they are just people living life, doing their thing. Most are just normal families who love each other, fight, dance, celebrate. It's just another way of life."
While they do have normal concerns about unstable governments, having the correct visas and bandits in the desert, Ohanesian and Curtin-Phillips believe Africa is as safe as anywhere else to travel.
"Danger versus safety is really an illusion," Ohanesian said. "How many college students fly off to Mexico for spring break? They are more likely to get kidnapped there than in Africa."
They added that most bandits and extortionists leave tourists alone because when police reports are made, foreign governments get involved and it turns out to be much more complicated than a robbery.
The girls are doing plenty of research in preparation. They are always checking the areas they plan to pass through for updates and already know that there are places in Kenya and Ethiopia they must avoid. For the most part, though, they are looking forward to interacting with the locals and learning more about African cultures.
"It's a lifestyle choice to do things like this. We live simply and as soon as we have enough money for a plane ticket, we're gone," Curtin-Phillips said. "Adventures can be scary and stressful. I'm sure this will have its moments. Afterward though, you can say 'yes, I did that.'"
To learn more about their intended plans and to help, visit www.breakyourcompass.com.
When they learned that the World Cup will be held in Cape Town, South Africa in 2010, they thought this would be the perfect time for the trip of a lifetime. After already having visited Africa for several months, the girls decided they were ready to take their trip to the next level by traveling by camel from Cairo, Egypt to Cape Town. The 5,000 mile trip will take them through seven countries along the eastern coast of Africa.
"We've both spent a lot of time in Africa and have traveled to most of the countries we will be riding through already. I really think this is something we are capable of," Curtin-Phillips said.
Curtin-Phillips attended the Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs and graduated from Skidmore College. While attending Skidmore, she studied abroad in Cairo. Ohanesian also attended Waldorf School and graduated from Colorado College, studying abroad in Indonesia.
While the trip is a year away, Ohanesian and Curtin-Phillips are currently looking for sponsors to help fund the expenses such as flights and buying camels and hiring possible guides and camel trainers.
"Under a very tight budget, I think we can do it for about $10,000, but that's very frugal," Curtin-Phillips said. "It all depends on who supports us also. If we get sponsors, we'll have to adjust the itinerary if they want us to do something for them."
To most people, the thought of two young American women traveling through Africa may sound a little crazy. To them, however, it's all about the adventure.
"We know the terrain. We've spent a lot of time in Sudan. This isn't typical travel, and there is a big difference between traveling and taking a vacation. To do these things is a lifestyle choice," Ohanesian said.
Their biggest concern? The camels.
"Camels are not native to Southern Africa and some of the governments don't have clear rules about camels and if they are allowed in certain places," Curtin-Phillips said. "We are also reading up on how to take care of them. Camels can be aggressive and while they can go without water, they can't go without food."
Depending on how much money they have to work with, the girls hope they can buy five to 10 camels in Cairo and sell them when their journey is over.
"We want to have a very slow and intimate trip through Africa. To race by in a car isn't really seeing the land. We will be up close, taking our time," Curtin-Phillips said.
They are looking forward to returning to the desert and the culture of the people there.
"There is a certain philosophy of desert people. They are the most hospitable people. In that environment, they depend on each other. There's never a question of helping someone because they never know when the day will come that they need help," Curtin-Phillips said.
"Most people don't know a lot about Africa. There are a lot of negative connotations in people's minds about life in Africa, but they are just people living life, doing their thing. Most are just normal families who love each other, fight, dance, celebrate. It's just another way of life."
While they do have normal concerns about unstable governments, having the correct visas and bandits in the desert, Ohanesian and Curtin-Phillips believe Africa is as safe as anywhere else to travel.
"Danger versus safety is really an illusion," Ohanesian said. "How many college students fly off to Mexico for spring break? They are more likely to get kidnapped there than in Africa."
They added that most bandits and extortionists leave tourists alone because when police reports are made, foreign governments get involved and it turns out to be much more complicated than a robbery.
The girls are doing plenty of research in preparation. They are always checking the areas they plan to pass through for updates and already know that there are places in Kenya and Ethiopia they must avoid. For the most part, though, they are looking forward to interacting with the locals and learning more about African cultures.
"It's a lifestyle choice to do things like this. We live simply and as soon as we have enough money for a plane ticket, we're gone," Curtin-Phillips said. "Adventures can be scary and stressful. I'm sure this will have its moments. Afterward though, you can say 'yes, I did that.'"
To learn more about their intended plans and to help, visit www.breakyourcompass.com.
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