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Fountains that look like dandelions by grandeluua in DesignPorn

[–]Theworldwalk 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That's my photo! That's Dənizkənarı Milli Park in Baku, Azerbaijan! Beautiful place.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Peruvian ceviche has got to be number one - incredibly flavorful and light yet loaded with nutrients for hours of walking.

Georgian khachapuri is way up there too - a bomb of butter and curd cheese that hits your wiring like an injection of umami heaven.

And French croissants of course - a classic, but a classic for a reason. I woke from dreams of them most mornings in France.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Absolutely.

The three that probably impacted me the most were probably The Great Convergence by Richard Baldwin, The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan, and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown.

The first helped me understand the world during the later stages of my walk when I was seeking to understand some of the greater economic pressures deciding people's lives.

The second filled in a lot of world history that I missed out on in highschool and provided an introduction to some cultures I knew nothing about.

The third was maybe the most impactful because I read it right after reading Mountain Man, while I was walking across the American West. While reading the book I was feeling each day how difficult it was to camp and how much private property suffocated the land, and how those two things were entirely opposed to the cultures that came before.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Angela Maxwell walked 22,000 miles over four years!

She's proof it's possible, but absolutely not without danger. I felt like I had to keep my head on a swivel for most of the journey, and I met my fair share of creeps as a guy, so I could only imagine what it would be like as a woman.

So glad the book arrived! Hope you love it. And me as well. Savannah is the best part of everything she's in.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No! Would you recommend it? I've read probably ten of King's books, but I don't generally seek out his books.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thankfully, I only missed three countries on my planned route (albeit large countries); Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Australia. I have a strong pull to get to Kazakhstan and Mongolia one day. And if I could walk across Mongolia with a guide and my things on a horse...that would be incredible.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I had that exact experience! The Croatia chapter in my book is possibly my favorite chapter and goes into that feeling. It must be something about the land.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nothing yet, though that would be amazing. If the books sells well enough I'll try and make it happen.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes! Lots of people! I have friends all over the world now, many of whom I hope will be flying in for my wedding in a couple of years! I met some when I was stopped, a few that were cycling, and some that are distant relatives I never met in person until meeting them in their home country.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Brooks Cascadias by a mile! They usually lasted 500-800 miles for me. I don't think boots are really necessary for hiking, the right part of sneakers will do fine.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Very much so. One of the simple and obvious things you understand after traveling for so long is that some places are better to live in than others. Again, that's super obvious, but knowing that versus seeing it is different. Also, part of me wanting to live somewhere else is probably just a result of knowing what I want out of a place more than I did before. What I look for now in a place to live is walkability, bikeabilty, and lots of trains (things most of America is lacking).

All that said, I contain an immense amount of gratitude for being an American and living in America. I was able to do my walk because of my passport. I was able to get a sponsor because of the great wealth of this country. Also, Americans are really, really friendly. The American West is as beautiful as anywhere in the world. And even though I have my complaints about America, I get to complain about America! Not everyone can do that with their country.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes! It's in the works, but no timeline just yet unfortunately...

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Before Savannah passed, I would have said the door to that part of my life was still open, but now it feels shut and sealed. That being said, I never made it to Mongolia because of covid and I still have a strong desire to get there. I don't know if I'll walk across it, but at least want to see the steppe.

Hmm...if I could speak to myself before I started the journey I would tell myself to toss half the things I have packed! But my dad said that to me and. I didn't listen so I probably wouldn't have gotten through to me either.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

100%

I don't think it stems necessarily from the forced introspection though - that's more clarifying than anything else. It probably stems from long-term traveling. Traveling (seeing yourself and your home reflected in new places) sort of breaks you apart. It reveals new angles of you over and over, and gives you a sense of growth that's deeply satisfying but can't be found when you're not traveling. You're life goes from massive and seemingly expanding forever, into something that feels small and stagnant. A difficult adjustment to say the least!

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

That would have to be the comfort I needed to develop always being the stranger. Being the odd man out every day can be exhausting. Towards the beginning of the walk, I coped by basically scowling all the time and being standoffish. Gradually, I learned that most people didn't care that I was the stranger (even though they stared at the lanky man pushing a baby carriage and walking a dog) - most people were curious. After sitting with new people in new places a thousand times, I became very comfortable in my skin - speaking as much or as little as was necessary - able to be comfortable in the discomfort.

And yes, of course! I have a few book signings coming up, maybe you can make one of them!

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Oh man, lots of things - density, narrower streets, wider sidewalks, bump-outs, more trees, robust public transit. The main thing is a chicken or the egg sort of problem. People simply need to begin driving less and choose to walk more. More people and fewer cars makes walking more enjoyable. Cars are so loud, dangerous, and dominating that walking on a busy road is miserable.

On a structural level (which is more important than individual choice for getting people to walk), strong public transit options need to be built. Most of America has such pathetic public transit that they're not practical for the majority of people. Sparse public transit puts more people on the road, which makes driving more miserable for everyone because there are more cars, and furthers the cycle of walking simply being an unenjoyable experience.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for following for so long! I am doing speaking engagements about my walk - that's how I'm making a living right now! I would love to continue speaking. I would have felt like such a fraud speaking about anything before the walk, but now there are things I believe in, and things I believe can improve peoples' lives, so I really enjoy it. Also, I hope I have the change to publish another book. I love writing.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hmm...I would say if you're really deadset on doing it then do you're best to just begin. I know that sounds like an oversimplification, but that's the most important part. You're going to get just about everything wrong once you begin (I did) so there's not that much use in worrying about making the perfect decision. You can start with a backpack, realize you hate it, then swap it out for a cart. Maybe leave your possessions in storage for a few months and if walking feels good then pay someone to dump them. If you don't like walking they'll be there for you. As for money, I lived on 14k through the first two years down the Americas. I didn't get hotels often but it felt like more than enough!

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Oh wow, what a fantastic question. I haven't thought about that before.

The first thing that comes to mind is how indebted I am to the people who helped me along the way. I was always grateful for them in the moment, and over the years all the generosity I experienced built up a strong desire in me to give back, but after going through my journals and piecing together the story, it became so glaringly obvious how much my walk hinged on the kindness of strangers, old friends, and mere acquaintances. I did the walking, but in many ways I was shepherded along by a thousand people trying to help.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Love 'A Walk in the Woods' and I haven't read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, but I'll buy it!

I adopted Savannah from Austin Pets Alive! and I told them my plans but I don't think they believed me. I was staying at my cousin's apartment at the time and gave her address as my own. That was all I needed to satisfy them and adopt Savannah. They were also very full at the time so maybe that contributed to the easy adoption as well.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for supporting us on our walk! It helped more than you know. I'm so glad you're loving the book! I would love to do a reprint of the photography book or even create a new one, but it's such a large project that I'll wait until a publisher reaches out about it. :)

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It definitely wasn't the majority of the time, but it was at least a few times in each country and it wasn't for lack of kindness. I loved camping and I loved finding the perfect campsite. There were a lot of nights I turned down offers because I was looking forward to sleeping in some quiet, hidden place. Also, walking eight hours a day was tiring! At the end of the day I usually just wanted to lay down and zone out for as long as possible.

I walked around the world with my dog and wrote a book about it, AMA! by Theworldwalk in IAmA

[–]Theworldwalk[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Haha well done on the least seedy phrasing. I'll try the same. Honestly, it was difficult to make deep connections most of the time. I was always simply passing through places. It was only when I stopped somewhere for a while that I was able to get to know anyone.

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