About Us

Recently married, we are setting off on a trip around the world. I'm Doug, and I'll be the main author for the English version of this blog. Meanwhile, Akemi will be handling the Japanese version. We're both fluent in English and Japanese and are in the process of studying Spanish (Akemi) and Portuguese (Doug) with Pimsleur courses for the South American leg of our trip... we'll see how that goes and report later.

For a little more about me, I'm an American working as a freelance Japanese-to-English translator. I've lived in Japan for a total of seven years now—one year as a student back in college on an exchange program, and six years working various jobs, starting with a stint as a CIR on the JET Program(me).

Many travel bloggers talk about ways to make money on the road, and translating is mine. Freelancing affords me the freedom to pick up my office and stick it on my back, literally. While we've saved up enough to hopefully afford an entire year without dipping into other funds, one thing I am curious about is the prospect of working on the road and how my clients will react to that decision. I know others that have made it work for them, so my fingers are crossed.

Then there's my better half, Akemi. She's Japanese, but has also lived abroad extensively. She also did a study abroad—hers in South Africa during high school—and then went on to do her undergraduate studies in the US. Akemi had a bunch of vacation time left over and quit her job a full two months before our departure to basically start planning full-time. She is definitely the planner of the two of us, so much of the information and research that goes into this blog will come from her.

As you can see, we've both spent quite a bit of time abroad already. We both also love traveling as well and have taken a bunch of trips together to a bunch of places. Thus, when I approached Akemi one sunny day not too long ago with the idea of taking the show on the road as it were, she didn't put up much of a fight. A few months and a beach wedding later, and we're now about to set off on the trip of a lifetime! Come with us and enjoy the ride.

Flashing the packs in Jodhpur

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