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Then a flight ...
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Great Modern Travelers: Karl Bushby

Walking around the world like no other

I first heard of Karl Bushby about over a decade ago. When I was taking my own first tentative steps of travel Karl Bushby was setting out on a, then, 12 year odyssey to walk around the world without any other means of transport. And by walk, he means walk. He was the first recorded man to cross the Bering Straits. Okay he swam, but you get the point.

Karl is an ex-paratrooper from the UK. He set off in 1998 in South America with little more than $800 (could have been $500) and walked all the way to Russia. 10 Years later, that is where he is now. 2 years ago the Russians arrested him. Part of this was due to the fact he entered Russia by literally swimming over the perishing ice filled water of the Bering Straits and popped up in an abandoned Military base. As you could imagine the Russians were none to pleased. Since then he has been battling(diplomatically) with the Russians for a visa that would allow him to walk across this leg of his journey.

Last year I read his mid point book. It's a book laid out in diary format and a good read for those traveling as it's easy to pick up and start again. It's also a fascinating look at the man himself, the how's, why's and can be's of his life. Not to mention a great read on traveling the Americas by land. But more than all that, the book stays with you. Karl's quest is to accomplish something with a life he once thought had amassed to little. This alone makes the book worth reading as it puts a great perspective on our own lives and what we do with them.

Karl is proving to be an inspiration to many people out there. Not just travelers, but people from all walks in life. He's currently stuck in Alaska due to Russia not letting him in. If you have any ideas that might help him with this problem head to the forum on his website and you can post your ideas there. Here's his website - Odyssey XXI (clicking here will open up the site)

Update: Karl's in trouble. Not only will the Russians in this 21st century world not give him a visa. But the financial downturn has sent lingering sponsors running. He's in need of sponsors and a Russian solution, and the odds are against him.

Update: I've had the opportunity to talk with Karl about his journey. It's an insightful interview that I recommend - Interview with Karl Bushby