RTW 2010-2011 female traveller

I'm starting to plan (or dream) my trip around the world for next year. I don't want to go with an schedule only a rough idea, so I'm open to input on places I should (or should not) visit. Here's the logistics of my trip:

I'll be 17/18 when travelling, I speak fluent French, English and some Spanish and have lived in France for several months previously. I may be travelling solo for parts of this trip and am budgeting about 10,000 USD; leaving in mid October 2010 spending about 1 month in France with some time spent with family. I would like to spend until Christmas in Europe (preferably Eastern), from there I am looking into a volunteer placement in western Africa from March until the end of May before heading home. Otherwise I would love to see parts of the Middle East and Africa (not for a safari!), the farthest east I would be likely to travel would be Nepal or India if possible and I doubt I would be able to cross back over to the Americas before coming home.

Staying in hostels isn't new to me and I wouldn't be interested in doing all the typical "touristy" things while travelling. So if you have any thoughts, advice or ideas on budget or destinations??? I would love to hear your feedback!

-Cass

As a Canadian citizen you can get a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) for a number of European countries as well as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Chile, that might be something to look into.

http://anyworkanywhere.com/whvcacit.html

Just note that you need to apply for the WHV before you leave Canada, while it is sometimes possible to apply elsewhere it can be a real pain trying to sort it all out on the road.

With speaking fluent French I am quite sure that you will enjoy a trip around Morocco and Tunisia - just catch a ferry from Spain or Sicily. If you are really adventurous you could also consider travelling to your volunteer position in West Africa overland, there are some options that allow you to travel south from Morocco. If you want to know more about that message TP member aidni, she has been there and done that.

As for your other interest in the Middle East consider the classic Istanbul to Cairo overland trip. Beirut would give you a chance to exercise your French, otherwise you would be able to get by with English very well. The route is pretty well trodden, there are countless backpackers going that way and there are plenty of options if you are on a budget.

Finally: Weatherwise it would be smartest if you went to West Africa in November. Europe is not going anywhere, there is no need to travel around it in the dead of winter when it is the worst season for it. Do your travelling around Eastern Europe when you return from West Africa to France in spring.