Dreams tear before us limitless possibilities.
Prior to the day of its 45th anniversary, the canadian Jean Beliveau went bankrupt. To get rid of boredom and tired of depression, he decided to travel the world. Jean left his home and began a unique adventure, without pocket almost penniless. His idea took 11 years.
On a trip around the world Jean thought while walking. He was sick of thinking about financial difficulties. But if you begin your trip, sooner or later will return to the starting point. No wonder the Earth is round. At the time, while others only thought about it, Jean Beliveau decided to bring their idea to reality. He wanted to escape from problems, and do it on foot.
Canadian gathered in the journey, the most essential in his view of things: a light three-wheeled cart and a first aid kit, sleeping bag and tent. Even the mobile phone was not honored to get this tiny list.
On the day of their anniversary, August 18, 2000, Jean Beliveau was ready for departure.
“We waited until 9 am to all of the friends had come. It was hard to know for sure, what colors filled the day. Whether it is sad, whether he’s happy, ” said Jean. – People close to me going there. My wife Lucy informed the journalists about an upcoming event, but none of them never showed up. It’s time to hit the road. We hugged, and then I disappeared around the corner, and the time of our separation was measured in months”.
Hiding out of sight behind the corner of the house, Jean Beliveau went to the South, in the direction of the United States of America. He arrived to the us border in the form untidy, which caused a natural fear. It could make for a homeless person and send back.
“At that time, I bad speak English and very clumsily answered questions from the border guard. He asked about the purpose of my visit to the US, and I said, “I travel to Mexico and America, to travel on foot”. From head to toe gave me a pitying look, then offered to bring water.”
In the United States Jean came from the North, heading to South America on the Atlantic coast. Taking a course to the right, he continued on his way already on the Bank of quiet. Jean managed to cross the Atacama desert without anyone’s help. In Argentina, Jean Beliveau decided to turn left and go to the opposite side of the continent. So he was faced with an obstacle which is impossible to cross on foot – the raging Atlantic ocean.
He stamped on a piece of land, thinking about further actions. And then a miracle happened. After receiving information about the journey of a Jean Beliveau, a local airline has decided to give him a ticket on a plane heading across the ocean. Thus, Jean was in South Africa. From there he again moved on.
Border service of Libya refused to Jean Beliveau at the intersection of the turn, so the traveler had only to go round. After some time Jean made it to Europe and even briefly looked to England. Severe frosts could not scare a canadian, why Jean didn’t want to go to Russia. He went to the East. Having been in India, China and South Korea, a traveller came to the conclusion that here live the most friendly people in the world. Jean paved pedestrian route from the Philippines to New Zealand. It was here that he decided to return to Canada.
A trip around the world Jean dragged on for 11 years. Christmas was the only occasion to meet with his wife – an annual tradition, inspiring new achievements.
Jean Beliveau decided to fulfil their dreams while dramatically difficult financial situation, and it made the amount of money almost immediately disappeared. Already in Central America, he was left without a cent.
“I did not know how to beg, but in these situations you can see amazing human abilities,” laughs Jean. – I am a timid man, but sometimes I even helped. It’s easier to charm a passer-by and ask for his help”. However, Jean often helped with food and finances on their own initiative.
“I’m surprised about my journey, many knew. Some people just shoved me in the arm a few tens of dollars. Trying to save on everything, I managed to hold out long. By the way, in Africa or Indonesia you can enjoy a tasty and satisfying meal for only $ 1,” says Jean. But the bed was hard. Jean Beliveau spent in his journey, about four thousand nights, and sometimes seek refuge took away the rests of forces.
“A lot of time went in search of a safe place to sleep. Had to go miles before you could think about the rest. Sometimes asked people to stay in their home, but often heard waivers. A full day’s hike on foot is not easy, so it was hard even to explain to the residents what I needed. I slept in parks, differing from the homeless, except that the presence of the tents”.
During the world tour of Jean took care of about 1600 families. Traveler occasionally spent the night in schools and hospitals.
In Egypt Jean free treated her teeth in Algeria had the surgery, and in India gave him sunglasses. In the Philippines, Jean was accompanied by dozens of soldiers, as the area was full of dangers. In the Atacama desert traveler barely not killed a wild cat. South Africa was memorable for an unusual night: Jean let loose to spend the night in a prison cell, without warning the morning shift. The guards did not believe the prisoner and did not want to let him go.
But the most important thing in this adventurous journey were not memories, and changes that have occurred with the canadian. During all this time he has not earned a single dollar, but calls these years the most wonderful and memorable in your life.
“I came back a different person,” says Jean. – No, my personality remained the same, but now I feel like a real rich man. We were led to believe that, buying this and that, we will be happier. Not at all! I met a lot of really happy people who have no money. They were poor and rich at the same time”.
Jean returned home at the age of 56. He was able to walk around the planet. Can’t believe it, but it was the first trip for the rest of his life.
Jean Beliveau left the house bankrupt. He returned to Canada in the same role, but more thinking about the material. Jean is convinced that tremendous experience and knowledge acquired during world travel, can not be compared with any money.
Now Jean has a new goal: to take a book about his adventures, meet the deadline.
