CLAIRE C. LAURENCE/Arizona Daily Wildcat World traveler Ashley Abbott, 23, presented her musical stylings on the Mall yesterday. Abbott and her partner, Nigel Ashcroft, began their 80-day trek around the globe 26 days ago.

Day 26: Musicians visit UA for donations

Two world-traveling musicians who began an 80-day trip around the world penniless in London spent their 26th day near the UA Mall "busking" - or playing music for donations from passers-by.

"We mostly did it just to see if we could," said Nigel Ashcroft, a musician and songwriter from North Wales who came up with the idea for the trip.

If the couple succeeds in its mission, Carlings Beer will make a significant donation to Shelter, an English nonprofit organization that helps the homeless.

Ashley Abbott, Ashcroft's girlfriend from Florida, said Tucson is one of her favorite places on the trip, which includes cities like Paris; Memphis, Tenn.; and Austin, Texas.

In New Orleans, the couple bought a '72 Buick for $200, which has since broken down four times, Abbott said, who was wearing a green tutu and playing the accordion.

"But there always seems to be someone there to help," Abbott said. "That's what this trip is about - people helping people."

In accordance with the rules the couple set out, it can only fly across oceans and must set foot on four continents.

And the two had to start out with no money.

Ashcroft said they made a lot of money on the streets of London and Paris, but relying on contributions from passers-by in order to continue their trip has sometimes meant 10-hour days of playing music.

In Memphis, Abbott said she got sick and they ended up leaving for New Orleans with only 50 cents, which was spent on a phone call once they arrived.

People on the UA campus have been "very supportive,"Ashcroft said. "Someone has tried to convert me to Christianity as well."

Reuven Sinensky, an undeclared freshman who stopped to share travel experiences with the couple, said he thinks what the pair is doing is "awesome, really cool."

Sinensky said he took time off before coming to the UA to travel to places like India, but he doesn't think he would ever take Abbott and Ashcroft's trip.

"Without money it'd be really hard - scary," he said.

Abbott was in graduate school before deciding to quit to go on the trip.

"What I was doing outside of school was more satisfying," she said.

Abbott, who also sings, said she thinks she will continue to focus on music once the trip is over.

Ashcroft said he is writing a book and filming a documentary on the trip.

Although the trip can be "trying" on their relationship, "it's also a great bonding experience," he said.

The musicians planned to leave for San Diego last night. Then it's off to Southeast Asia, where they hope to make enough money to be able to continue on their way.

"If we get that far, hopefully people will rally around us," Ashcroft said.

"I have faith that things will work out," Abbott said.

"They always do," Ashcroft added.