The ShaunPaul Q&A.

So, here’s the deal. We get a lot of people from home and overseas asking about our travels, and what we intend to do, both in the near and distant future. A couple of days ago, Paul put forward the thought that it might be a good idea to add a sort of ‘frequently asked questions’ section to the blog in order to clear some heads, de-spell myths and to provide everyone (who cares) with some sort of logistical direction as to what the heck we intend to do with our lives. Additionally, I will briefly overview past traveling experiences and shenanigans in the first few questions - for all those newbie’s out there who may not have a clue who we are or what we are doing. Enjoy.

Q: Who is ShaunPaul?
A: Besides from being a decidedly terrible hip-hop superstar, ShaunPaul is a combination of two people from New Zealand. We are both 22 years old, and after graduating in early April 2008, spontaneously decided to embark on a traveling adventure of a lifetime. We left our lovely little homeland on May 21, 2008 – and haven’t returned since.

Q: How long have you been traveling?
A: As mentioned above, we left New Zealand for Canada on May 21, 2008. Therefore, as of today, we have been officially away for 378 days. Yes.

Q: What, then, have you been doing for the past year?
A: Ok. Obviously a year’s worth of traveling is hard to condense into a gimmicky Q&A, but here goes. In as few words as possible.
- Spent the first few months working at a kids’ camp on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Paul worked as the skate park leader, and I was an events assistant.

- Travelled over to Calgary, Alberta, where we both worked as roofers and stayed with an awesome family who kindly let us into there home. We were there for about three months.

- Travelled back to British Columbia and worked as ticket checkers at the Fernie Alpine Resort in the Canadian Rockies for the winter. I learnt to snowboard, Paul learnt to snowboard better. We were here for about four months.

- After attaining our US working visas, Paul and I decided to fly out to California for a whole new adventure. After much debate, we decided on this particular state after researching various places to live on Wikipedia. Random and weird I know, but that’s just how we roll.

- Moved to Huntington Beach California a few weeks ago now, to enjoy the summer sun, surf and, um, Fred’s tacos. Delicious.

Q: When are you going to go home?
A: Loaded question. To be honest, we just don’t know. I mean, if everything pans out in the US, we will be here until our visa expires in April 2010. After that is a bit of a mystery - although we are keen to cruise through Europe at some stage. We have also pondered having a sort of ‘holiday’ back in New Zealand to catch up with our friends and family (who we all LOVE!). However, this will depend on finances and God’s direction for our lives. Never doubt the Big Man.

Q: Where are you going to travel next?
A: Considering we have a working Visa for a whole year, we intend to travel throughout the continental US and do a bit of sightseeing while we are here. We’re thinking of trying to get the whole ‘American experience’, which will include (but not be limited to) the following:
- See the lights, brights and crazyness of Vegas.
- Giant rocks in Utah.
- Texans in Texas.
- Alabama!
- Go right through the South, meet all the nice people - and prove once and for all that 1972’s ‘Deliverance’ is, in fact, just a movie.
- The skyscrapers, hustle and bustle, and harrowing remnants of the Twin Towers of New York.
- Boston, Massachusetts. Because I love the Celtics.

Also, we are definitely going to Hawaii. For years, it has been my dream destination. Have to check out the Banzai Pipeline. For those who don’t know, youtube it. It’s worth it.
..After that, who knows. Could be Europe, could be the Seychelles, could even be Australia. When we know, you will be the first to find out. I promise.

Q: Have you guys got girlfriends over there yet!?
A: No, sorry guys. But Paul says “he’s working on it”.

Q: Best moment so far?
A: In all honesty, every single part of the journey has been amazing, in its own unique way. It’s just so hard to pinpoint the exact moments where you figure ‘hey, I’m living the dream’ - when everything you have done has led up to that moment, and has innately contributed to that success. Yet besides absolutely everything, some highlights included the first day at camp, living with the Volkmans in Calgary, getting to Fernie, B.C for the first time, and the people we have met along the way. People, people, people.

So that’s about all I can think of at this point. If you have any more questions, email me at shaun.t.nz@gmail.com and I’ll post it up. And that’s my rant for today – time for a microwaveable dinner. Yippee.