World Travel with teh Guru

[Hotrodguru]

After many months of deliberation, I'm about 99% sure that the decision has been made. Teh Guru will be leaving the states on a world domination tour. The plan is to take my photography to another level - Jay Marroquin Photography

The ball is in motion and within the next month or so I'll be selling most of my goods and leaving my job of the past 5 years. I'll be taking some money I've stashed away to support me abroad for a year or so without the need for additional income.

I'll be taking my camera gear, small laptop, backpack and some comfy shoes. I'm going to start off in Morocco and Africa and go from there... Guess I need all my travel shots while I still have insurance and talking about insurance, I'll have to get some for all my gear and make sure it's covered abroad.

I'll be documenting my travels on my blog (which I built but have yet to use) - Jay Marroquin Blog

Planned stops so far (some are simply arrival destinations, then off by foot, bus, donkey or camel):

Casablanca, MOROCCO
Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA
Kilimanjaro, TANZANIA
Dubai, UAE
Delhi, INDIA
Bangkok, THAILAND
Hanoi, VIETNAM
Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
Singapore, SINGAPORE
Jakarta, INDONESIA
Manila, PHILIPPINES
Hong Kong, CHINA
Guangzhou, CHINA
Hunan, CHINA
Zhang Jia Jie, CHINA
Shanghai, CHINA
Beijing, CHINA
Yokahoma, JAPAN
Fukuoka, JAPAN
Tokyo, JAPAN
Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN
Kiev, UKRAINE
Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC
Milan, ITALY
Maranello, ITALY
Milan, ITALY
Paris, FRANCE
Bordeaux, FRANCE
Barcelona, SPAIN
London, UK

[L Stegall]

Wow, sounds like quite the itinerary and experience of lifetime. Just curious how no Latin American destinations made the list? Or have they already surrendered to your world domination? I am more than mildly jealous. :-D

[Hotrodguru]

Originally Posted by L Stegall

Wow, sounds like quite the itinerary and experience of lifetime. Just curious how no Latin American destinations made the list? Or have they already surrendered to your world domination? I am more than mildly jealous. :-D

Well I figure Latin America is the easiest to get to so I'd rather start with the more difficult destinations. I did conquer quite a bit of Latin America back in my racing days :p

[Hanky]

Awesome! I learned too late in life to travel abroad you go man. Single? Major babe population in Kieve and I'm talkin 8-1 ratios there as for Manila you may wish to consider Cebu or Bolho ( Chocholate mountains are there ). I'm bookmarkin your site, have a ball.

[Hotrodguru]

Originally Posted by Hanky

Awesome! I learned too late in life to travel abroad you go man. Single? Major babe population in Kieve and I'm talkin 8-1 ratios there as for Manila you may wish to consider Cebu or Bolho ( Chocholate mountains are there ). I'm bookmarkin your site, have a ball.

Thanks Hanky, check your PM. Sent you a link to some threads of some of my old travel adventures ;)

[sbp]

When you go Delhi, try to visit this, located in Delhi.

www.Akshardham.com

[Howard Barlow]

If you don't make it to Beaumont, you ain't been nowhere.

[Hotrodguru]

Originally Posted by Howard Barlow

If you don't make it to Beaumont, you ain't been nowhere.

Haha...I've been to Beaumont. Might have to add it to the list nevertheless :)

[Hotrodguru]

Step 1 - Resigning from job of 5 years - COMPLETED 9/13/2010

[linque]

You are crazy, and I am jealous. I've bookmarked your blog, and am awaiting updates.

What did your employer say when you told them you were resigning to go photograph abroad?

[Hotrodguru]

Originally Posted by linque

You are crazy, and I am jealous. I've bookmarked your blog, and am awaiting updates.

What did your employer say when you told them you were resigning to go photograph abroad?

Copy and paste from the same question on another forum :)

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

nice, how'd that go?

Originally Posted by Hotrodguru

Actually very good, they said it would be a huge loss and if I ever needed to come back they would find something for me. Copy of my resignation letter below.

My Name
My Address
My City, State and Zip

September 10, 2010

Bosses Info
Bosses Position
Company Name
Company Address
Company City, State and Zip

Dear Boss:

After much thought and consideration, it is with a heavy heart that I submit my resignation. The last 5 years at Methodist Hospital have been truly wonderful. I love the team I work with and am grateful to have had you and <director name here> as my management team. I couldn’t have asked for better, just wish I had the pleasure of working for the two of you earlier in my career. However, after 10+ years in the IT industry, it is time for me to leave and follow my passion and desire…photography. My journey will begin in Africa and I will travel the world starting in late October to mid November.

As much preparation is needed for my journey, my last day at The Methodist Hospital will be Friday, October 8, 2010. I would be happy to meet with you at your convenience to discuss the transition of my duties or any follow-up which may be needed.

I wish you the very best in both your professional and personal life.

Sincerely,
Jay Marroquin

[Hotrodguru]

So a bit of a dilemma now.

It's regarding the payout of my vacation time. I've been here at my current job 5 years. Throughout the year you basically accrued vacation time or what we call PTO (paid time off). So you have accrued and banked. The accrued PTO goes into the bank every first of the year (January 1st).

You guys still with me... So when you quit your job or leave the organization, you can only cash out the PTO you have in your bank. So basically if I leave on Oct 8th, I get around $2400 which is the amount I have banked. If I stay till January 2nd or 3rd, I get the additional $3650.

Accrued xxx.xx hrs = $3650
Banked xx.xx hrs = $2400

I do know that I need days off the week of Oct 10th - 15th off to shoot Houston Fashion Week. I could theoretically take about 40 hours of vacation time for that then stay till the first of the year.

I'm also working on some sponsorship deals for part of this trip. Guess if that pans out soon I'll quit for sure. If not, I should probably really consider staying here till the beginning of the year. Would allow a bit more time for sponsorships and to save some cash in general.

Ah, decisions, decisions... So...what do you guys/gals think?

[ronocnikral]

first off, que heuvos! i wish i had a set like that. please take it as a compliment when i say, i'm truly jealous (sound of shackles clanking).

second, i missed nepal, india, pakistan, iran and turkey on your list. of course, this isn't ronocnikral's dream tour.

third, i can't imagine $3600 delaying this deal (less than that as it is taxed). do with out something and just go. sell a kidney or something. my 2 cents, easier said than done, it's easy to sit on the bench and comment. these things have a way of working themselves out, maybe you find a little side work? maybe you live a little less western?

good luck, i'm tres envious!

[ronocnikral]

oh, and burma...how could i forget!

[Hotrodguru]

Oh trust me, I will be living a LOT LESS "Western" with the cash I'm taking, haha.