A world tour, by hitchhiking, no planes.
You will find here the whole adventure I’m going to live. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me so I decided to share it. If I come back as a better version of myself, could my experience help you upgrade as well? No pressure. Let’s say it’s our PhD in Life.
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Disclaimer
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It is not necessary to travel to find yourself or develop curiosity about the world, even if it proved to be an excellent way to do it, in the right conditions. The edge of the world may be behind your door, find it if you dare (Am I a 22 years old giving life advice?)
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My actions have consequences. Avoiding planes, hitchhiking, slowing down and changing my consumption help to reduce my impact on the planet. It’s valid for you as well if you wish to help. Ok, maybe not hitchhiking but a bicycle can do the job most of the time…
Contact: email me!
Lofoten Islands, Norway, 2020
Questions / Answers
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Why “The Towelless Traveler” ?
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It represents simple living. It is essential to adopt this state of mind when traveling light. I had to leave my towel behind once for a trip to gain some space and used my washcloth instead, hence the name.
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Why a world tour?
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Why not? Geographically speaking, it is not important. It’s the wording that echoes with adventure and discovery. It is a way to challenge myself to quench my thirst for traveling that appeared during my exchange year in university. Traveling gets me out of my comfort zone, then letting me learn more about myself and others.
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Why hitchhiking?
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Depending on which country you live in, hitchhiking can be associated with many different adjectives, so you may not recognize my description but I invite you to consider it. Of course, it allows to save money but that’s not the reason I chose it. When doing it, you can easily meet locals open to the world and ready to share their journey in life and give you a new point of view on the world. It also spices up a bit the journey: you never know if or when someone is going to stop. The beginning is stressful but it’s an excellent exercise to familiarize yourself with the unexpected.
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Why no planes?
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To pollute less. When I started to travel, I was too excited to realize how harmful my journey could be. I also didn’t have time to take the time, as most people nowadays. I can allow myself this luxury now so here I am. Anyway, aren’t you disappointed about missing out all these foreign lands you’re flying above?
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Why now during the pandemy of COVID-19?
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It’s getting better now (november 2021) and I am not going to wait for the next dramatic events. I will have to adapt!
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Isn’t it too risky?
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If I don’t take risks, I won’t do anything. So I take some but I keep a limit and prepare for the worst case scenario. Yes it can happen, whether I go or not. If I don’t go I will regret it my whole life. The choice is quickly made for me, I am not questioning yours (or am I?).
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What impact will it have on my professional career?
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Tough question. I spent time thinking about it and concluded: if there is an impact, it will only push me in the right direction. I studied to quench my thirst of knowledge, not to do a specific job. I will not climb the ladder as fast as my classmates, but would I really want that? I can achieve some dreams now, so I’m going to.
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Why alone ?
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Traveling alone allows me to contact people more easily. I am introverted: some time alone is essential but unbearable when constant, which gives me the courage to initiate human contacts. Christopher McCandless or Into the Wild will tell you that happiness is only real when shared. I may be naive to think it simply exists, but pursuing it ironically makes me happy. I will not escape loneliness by traveling but I would succumb to it by staying here. Well surrounded or not, not pursuing any dream will leave me alone. Approve it or not, humans are complex and life could change my mind.
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In the meantime, feel free to join for a part of the journey!
