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| Ulsan, S.Korea |
There is a recent controversial trend among young, middle-class youth in the West who travel around the world, particularly in Southeast Asia without any money but sell trinkets such as bracelets and postcards or beg for their travel expenses from the local people of the countries they visit. Many denounce this practice as being irresponsible and unfair as they take away revenue from local people who make a living by selling similar goods to travelers. There are others who post travel vlogs on Youtube and solicit donations for food and lodging from their viewers in exchange for sharing their travel experience. One such vlogger I came across by the name of Nick K bicycles his way around Asia and asks for monetary donations or a "hot shower host" for when he needs a place to crash or wash up. Apparently, this practice is very common among cyclists who journey far distances. After teaching English for 11 years in Japan, Nick has cycled his way all over Japan, Indonesia and Taiwan and has cycled from Pusan to Seoul, South Korea. His adventure was noticed by the Korean news medias and he has become somewhat of a celebrity, so much so, that he went viral with over 1.7 million views and people recognize him on the roads and offer him drinks and snacks. His videos are such a sensation, he decided to travel from Seoul back to Pusan using an alternate route. Although it seemed a bit strange to be asking his viewers to fund his journey, I actually really enjoyed his videos so much that I donated a small amount to cover "a cup of coffee" in gratitude for the positive message about humanity.
What I really love about his videos is his genuine openness and appreciation of the places he visits and the people he meets and how local people reciprocate with kindness and curiosity. I have only watched vlogs from his Korea travel, but I always come away feeling warm inside knowing that there are so many good, kind, decent and hospitalable people in the world (well, at least in Korea). Every day he encounters simple acts of kindness like a passing car handing him a can of coke, or an innkeeper sharing a slice of cold watermelon on a hot and muggy August night in Korea, then with care, placing it on a stick so it would be easier for him to hold. Other encounters include a local family giving him a free place to sleep or "hot shower hosts" letting him stay at their place for free, an elderly couple sharing their mung bean pancakes on the side of the road and other hosts taking him out for amazing dinners, notably the Kbbq experience. I watch every episode with my mouth wide open at how good and kind people can be and it is so refreshing to see something so good about humanity in contrast to what I see daily on the evening news. I'm not sure how safe it is to travel solo across America given the higher rate of crime, distrust of others created by the current political climate but if one is plugged into that subculture, I'm sure goodness can be found here, too. Nick had a "hot shower host" in Daegu who cycled solo across America. I would love to see his videos, but I don't think he made any but there is a lady who cycled over 80 countries by herself (click for link ). I donated a small amount to show my gratitude to Nick sharing such a positive experience and it gives me hope for humanity, especially right now when everything seems so off kilter and plain nuts.
Inspired by a recent Mel Robbins podcast when she asked a man who hiked solo across the Appalachian Rockies, "what did you learn about yourself from your journey" I asked Nick what he learned about himself and life from his travel. I guess the question took him off guard because he laughed and maybe felt a bit self-conscious but he answered that he learned that humanity on the whole is really very good, kind and generous. Now, if you haven't experienced or learned anything while on this Earth, isn't that the one thing to be proud to take back to God when you die instead of reporting how evil and wretched humanity is? The guest on Mel Robbins show answered her that "you take your baggage with you". Like the saying, "wherever you go, there you are", it's better to face up to your shit and deal with them as best possible, instead of trying to run away from them.
During my senior year of college, as a foreign exchange student at the University of York, England, I attempted the "Coast to Coast" solo cross-country walk starting from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. I only made it out of the Lake District, which was probably the best part. The thing I learned that most sticks out in my mind and has shaped much of my life after the walk, is the importance of family and community. Walking for days alone in a foreign land with no sense of familiarity to anything, it became very clear to me the true importance of meaningful connections with people, friends, family and even strangers.
I am fortunate enough now that I can travel with some comfort with my husband and two boys but traveling while young, on a very limited budget, allows to you see and experience things you wouldn't otherwise be able to in comfort.
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