On Saturday, February 12, I reentered the Manhattan Island after 456 days on the road. My trip took me through 37,000 miles of adventures I would never forget.
But in the immediate, as I was driving through the Georges Washington Bridge, I could not completely unwind, since there was pressing matters to take care of. As I entered New York State, I could not really just drive around. In fact, I had to be very discreet, as my registration and inspection had expired months ago.
So it is with very little fuss that I crossed the city, dropped my dad in a hotel and continued toward Brooklyn after stopping twice on the way to see some friends.
When I got to my old neighborhood, I stopped to the auto shop I used to spend time at, and also the place where I got my vehicle ready for this extraordinary trip. Everybody was doing well, and it was great to see a lot of old friends.
Next, I went back to my old house, and met with my landlord, Jay. He was aware I was coming back, and had space in the driveway for my truck. It is where it is going to stay for few weeks, the time for me to settle down and get the paperwork sorted out.
All my belongings are there as well, in the basement since 2009. I don’t really want to open boxes as long as I don’t have an apartment, so even now, two weeks after coming back, I am still wearing my expedition-style clothes as I roam the streets of Manhattan. I did shave my beard as people were looking at me a strange way, I thought.
Jay gave me some mail which arrived a while back, and it turned out that I was in a more complicated position that I thought.
Apparently, I broke a new record without even knowing it. It seems that some papers didn’t go through after I left, resulting in some problems with the Department of Motor Vehicle. Consequently, as I was driving happily in exotic regions, my driving license was suspended. Which probably makes me the only man in history who drove around the world with a suspended driving license…
As night was falling, I took the subway back to Manhattan where I met a small group of people to have drinks in the Lower East Side and celebrate the successful expedition.
In the few weeks following these events, I have been of course readapting to the life in the city, but also working hard to prepare my future. I am staying at Sergio’s apartment for few weeks, and from there I am straightening my administrative status, and trying to find a job.
I think I may be too exigent in my job search as of now. After everything I saw in the last months, I need something that will be very challenging and exciting. I can’t work just for the money, I need more. As promised, I will let you know when something comes up. I sent my Carnet de Passage back to AAA, which will allow me to get back the huge guaranty I had to leave in order to be able to cross borders.
I have been reconnecting with my past in the last two weeks, spending time with people who matter to me. Of course it is strange to be back here, but I can already tell that I am still in love with New York, which is a relief. After all, I need a place I can call home.
I will be busy in the next few weeks, and months. First of all, I have to find this miracle job. Then, I will update this website so it is easier to navigate through the different places I have been to, now that the chronological order matters less. Dan – the friend who spent some time with me in Peru – gave me a hard drive with the video he shot while we were traveling, and I would love to make it available on this website as well. In the upcoming time, there will be more maps and details on such expedition preparation, so it will be helpful for travelers. Also, I would love to work on a book. But it is going to be a side project, something I can work on once I have a job.
So please keep checking here for new content. There will be other updates, and I would love if you guys could stick around.
My apologies for not updating the website earlier. Apologies also to the hundreds of people who emailed me but still didn’t receive a reply. I will be working on it soon!
I want to thank you for letting me live vicariously through your trip. I would never have dreamed of trying to do something like that. However, I would like to know how you managed to get around the world on an expired drivers license when I can not even make a trip from Rockland Cty NY to Plattsburgh NY without getting a “no seat belt” ticket. Congratulations on completing the trip.
Welcome home, dude! 🙂
Congrats on the great journey!
I have been going through withdrawals without your updates, Nick. Congratulations on reaching your goal. I guess it’s the mother in me that feels a sense of relief that you’re home safe and sound. I will miss living vicariously through you in your travels. Good luck with your job search and finding a place to live. I get to NYC about once a year. I can see why you love it there. I hope you consider two books–one with your story and then a coffee table book with all the pictures. Both would be great. Keep us updated on what you’re doing.
Mindy
No worries about the time between updates Nick. Most of us will be here, waiting for your next blog post. Good luck with the job search.
having followed your travels since you began, i’m thrilled for you that you accomplished your goal by making it safely back to NYC! are you planning on doing any press? don’t worry, that job will happen before you know it.
welcome home, nick!
suzanne
Great! And l got the photo l wanted 😉 u crossing the bridge. Good to hear that ur adjusting well.
-ken
I am thrilled you made this awesome journey safely. I made your Trans World Journey my home page so every time I turn on my computer I look for an update. I will definitely stay tuned.
Good luck with the job hunt!!
Nick,
Happy to read your new blog! I am sure I can speak for many of us in telling you that we are not going anywhere. I look forward to your next blog. Happy job and apartment hunting.
Victoria
I so loved seeing the photos of NYC – especially the one with your NYC style parking job. I miss that place and happy to read you are still in love with it. I am looking forward to seeing what sort of job you land. Your CV has to be a very unique thing now. I know how you feel about wanting to find something that is exciting and challenging after what you’ve been through (I recently made such a change myself). Hang in there and DON’T settle for anything less than what you want and what you deserve.
I laughed so hard when I saw that you had driven around the world on an expired drivers license!! So funny. You definitely should contact the Guiness Book of World Records. That is hilarious. Happpy to hear you are settling in and that the NYC people in your life “kept your seat warm” while you were gone.
Thanks for keeping us informed of what is going on with you. You have a plethora of peole pulling for you!!
All the Best,
Heidi
No apologies necessary. It has been great to follow you. I’ll definitely keep checking in to see what the future brings. Thanks again for allowing us to tag along with you.
Good Job Matt,
I enjoyed reading about your adventures this past year. Good luck finding a meaningful job in this economy. I will check back often.
Randy
Glad you’re back in your city. I bet you won’t find any problems with getting a new job and of course something that will be great, possibly using this past year somehow in it. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Take it slow, one day at a time, as long as your friends keep out the welcome sign for you. Will continue to check up on you !! God bless!
Glade your back Nick. My boys were asking me about you this morning we will be here for a long time. I check everyday to see if there any new posts. Good luck on the job hunting you might try National Geographic.
Congratulations Nick. Thank you for posting your adventures here and allowing us to be part (in some small way) of your experience. It has been a fantastic journey.
Wow. 456 days and now you’re home. Welcome back! It was great fun “traveling” with you around the world and it’s hard to believe I’ve been following you, without missing a post for well over a year. It sure makes the year seem very very short, although to you, probably not so quick.
I look forward to more updates and to reading about what the future holds for you.
Maybe it wasn’t the beard. Maybe people were giving you funny looks because like me, they were trying to figure out if the guy on the Q train was the trans world expedition guy! 🙂
Good luck settling back in NY!
When Charles Lindbergh set down his monoplane, The Spirit of St. Louis, in Paris in 1927, he instantly became the leading hero of a decade of American heroes and celebrities. Lindbergh had not expected any welcome in France, but word of his arrival spread through Paris, and 25,000 people surrounded the plane even before he stopped taxiing. The frenzy continued when Lindbergh returned to the United States where President Coolidge welcomed him to Washington. He lavished praise on the aviator in a very serious voice, and Lindbergh responded humorously. There was perhaps a serious concern about becoming a prisoner of his sudden fame.
The irony of Linbergh’s remarks when greeting the President concerning his solo flight across the pond were when he said “When I landed in Paris a few weeks ago, I landed with the expectancy, and the hope, of being able to see Europe. It was the first time I had ever been abroad, and I wasn’t’t in any hurry to get back.”
In the person of Nicolas Rapp, 80+ years after Lucky Lindy, we have an individual who has shown the world by his deeds and accomplishments that he is intelligent, industrious, energetic, dependable, purposeful, alert, quick of reaction, serious, deliberate, stable, efficient, kind, modest, congenial, and a man of good moral habits. He’s able to put a plan together, stick with it and, despite insurmountable odds… succeed!
And his response…”I hope I can get a job!” Nick my man… you don’t need a job… you need an agent!
Good luck!
As a suggestive starting point, you should contact The William Morris Agency @ their NYC location and tell them, “I’ve just driven 37,000 miles around the earth, have the vehicle outside the door ready for your inspection, thousands of pictures, vids and notes, not to mention the a dearth of followers who want to see me succeed. Who do I talk to?”
http://wmespeakers.com/Speakers.aspx
Let us know what happens.
Nick… love that picture of your truck parked on top of that pile of snow/ice! I also can’t help but laugh at the fact that everything related to driving has expired/suspended… you’ve been driving illegally for months! Amazing!
Take care and good luck getting your new job! Thanks for reminding me too that I need to get my life going too!
Perhaps we’ll meet some day….
Thanks for the update. Glad you are safe and that you are doing ok.
There are sooo many bored millionaires out there who are looking for an adventure with an experienced guide: 250K per person for a trip around the world; or 10K per week for shorter trips. You could build a unique travel agency for a niche market.
You did it, congratulations my friend.
welcome back home followed your trip on line. went to the travel show in newyork this weekend and thought about your journey over the past year or so and remembering your pictures of all the places . best of luck in the futuree
Thanks for the final post Nick. Your adventure has been interesting though in some ways your new adventure–finding an interesting new job that suits you and that has meaning to your life–would be even more interesting to follow. Just as many hurdles face you, I’ll bet! Anyway I hope you don’t have to sell out and settle for an ordinary job; you are better than that.
Take care
Congratulations on a safe return! I’ve followed the journey since the beginning and appreciated your candid views of your travels. Good luck in finding a new job – find your passion, and the money will follow!!
Just read about your journey in the Columbus, Oh Sunday paper. You can add the title “Explorer” to your resume. As I read over the comments, I am thinking that you should use your young mind to come up with a unique idea, something that incorporates this whole experience and make it work for you. There is so much potential! I like the idea of an agent that can guide you.
Glad you are “home” and getting reacclimated to everyday life. I wish you nothing but the best and will continue to check in.
Nick, So glad to see your post, I love what harvey said in his post. Looking forward to see what happens next!!
Of course we will stick around for updates!
I have to agree with the others as per your job needs. Maybe you need to take time and decide exactly what it is you want to do. Just how many people have driven around the world anyway?! Your experiences are unique and can be utilized in many different ways. Book, travel specialist, speaking engagements, writer for magazines, embassies and so on. Look at the broader scope and don’t count anything out!
This is right up National Geographics lane. Where are they?
I was wondering if you will be posting some follow ups. The part with the suspended license made me laugh. Good luck job hunting. Will be back for updates. -Mike (Prague, Czech Republic)
Congratulations on the end of your successful journey. I have followed from the beginning, but never posted before. We should all be so adventurous and step out of our boxes once in a while. I can imagine that your search for an exciting new job will be the next big challenge. I had to laugh when you related the information about your expired driver license.
Nick,
You did it!!! It is good to see that you are acclamating well to being home. I can only imagine how you must feel of such a great accomplishment. One that many of us only dream of. You, my friend are an intelligent person and will get any job that you want. As one person suggested, take your time and figure out what you want. It has been great following your adventures (funny, scary, and breath taking), and also reading the other bloggers comments through the duration of your travels. I am sure that others feel as I do, in the fact that we not only got to know you, but we got to know some of the other bloggers aswell. I cant say thank you enough Nick. You are amazing for what you have accomplished and may God be with you.
Jason
I have really enjoyed the trip. Very interesting and learning experience. You did a great job of writing and pictures. Good luck on your current searches. Russ
Nick,
Welcome Home to NYC!
I saw your two page article in our Sunday paper today. (Columbus Dispatch, Travel Section)
Your blog was exciting and always enticed us to read daily for over a year. I will miss your regular travel updates, stories and pictures. But, I am glad you are home safe and good luck with writing your book.
Geoff S.
Nick thanks so much for the thrill of reading your blog. I agree with others who have commented here that this is just the beginning of the adventure. Take it to the next level.
With sincere appreciation,
Benjie
Halifax NS, Canada
Well done, Nic! I always knew you could do it. Good luck with the job search! I am in the same boat as I have resigned from my job here in Djibouti and am going to try and find a job in the Raleigh, NC area. I will be back next week and will be doing some interviews but if we’re both not busy, maybe I can make it up to NYC! I wouldn’t mind seeing it there this time of year and to shake hands with the newest man who drove around the world.
Your friend,
Dave
Right on outlaw driver lol! breaking records
congratulations nick! it has being an incredible journey and i enjoyed “traveling” with you if only in website form!
of course we’ll stick around as I am sure there are a ton of stories that will come up with time.
take care and hopefully see you soon on the road!
Thanks for the update Nick. I know you have a lot on your plate just now but I was wondering if you’ve decided what’s going to become of your old faithful companion the land cruiser? Glad to hear you’re considering a book as we just can’t get enough of the amazing adventures of Nicolas Rapp! Best of luck on the job search and as always….travel safe!
Nicholas,
Thank you for updating us Nick. I had a feeling you would be looking for a new job that challenged you. None of this boring, mundane office cubicle stuff. Good luck with the job hunt. I still think Toyota should be hitting you up for a comercial.
Kara
Bonjour à toi et bonne rentrée au bercail… A good job now, just an idea … sure that in France we are looking for a Good Foreign Ministry (secretary of state), after this incredible trip and all meeting people, the crossed countries, may be….
Claude et Jackie
Thanks for the update, Nick. And, congratulations. We can see how you are overwhelmed and we will patiently await your next update. I wish I could help with the job.
Nick,
Have been following your blog since the beginning when I came across it in our daily newspaper and have enjoyed it immensely. Like so many, I checked each day with bated breath to read of your continuing adventures. I am thankful that you arrived safely back in New York in one piece and in good health. I too, wish you best of luck in your job search and look forward to future posts from you at your convenience!.
Annie
Nova Scotia, Canada
From south Dakota I watched your progress from day 1. What a trip you had! I will be looking forward to reading your book. Let us know when it is published.
It has been so long I cannot remember how I first came across your website. Thank you for letting me share the ride.
Congratulations, Nicolas! Your blog and your history are a great source of inspiration for my future trips, hope someday I’ll have the courage you had to leave the career aside for some time and make an epic trip. I’m sure you don’t regret it!
YAY! HOORAY!!!!
I know you’ve been back in NYC for a bit now, but congratulations anyway! And thank you so much for updating your blog, for those of us not on twitter or facebook.
(I laughed reading that you drove around the world with an expired license – that is definitely a story that you don’t hear everyday!)
Best of luck in your job search.
Take care!
Yes, National Geographic…I am sure they would have a place for you; absolutely!
This trip around the world should open up many employment doors for you – if I had a business with a job opening for you I would hire you in a heartbeat. Never under estimate yourself – never settle for less than you want; ever!
You have no idea how many windows to the world you opened up for me; and I am sure for many other people as well – much gratitude to you for the adventure and journey! I just wished it could continue…
Charlene E
Salut Nicoloul !
Avec une pensée pour toi, je suis tombée sur ce site en pianotant ton nom ! et très agréablement surprise !
Marie-Pierre !
Congratulations Nick and welcome back to NYS. Maybe your paypal account can now be changed so people can help contribute towards the upkeep of this site! Maybe even help with the cost of writing “The Book”.