Around the world Backpacking Alone (June1971−March 1973）

Japanese         My original CD "Anton"  

I dug into my pockets, and with US$300 I set out to travel around the world. June 15, 1971. I was only 20 years old. At the time, my university was closed due to the Japan-US security treaty struggle, and I had time on my hands. I had no idea when the situation would be resolved. So, instead of sitting around waiting, I decided to make good use of time by seeing the world. It was a decision that would affect me for the rest of my life - in a very positive way. When I was younger, I gained inspiration from a dynamic travel book by Mickey Yasukawa and Makoto Oda, and I began to feel the urge to explore. Along with this came a slight sense of uneasiness. But my desire to travel grew stronger as I entered junior high school and began studying English, and I knew then that someday I would realize this dream. When the time come to begin my journey, I decided to go to Los Angeles, where a pen pal of mine lived. Because of my shortage of funds, I had to figure out a way to make some money. It wasn't easy, but with the help of friends and some good old-fashioned common sense, I managed to survive. In the U.S. and Canada, I traveled by Greyhound bus. That was the easiest part of the journey, and probably the safest too. When I traveled around Europe, I took a lot of trains, and also hitchhiked frequently. And in my trek across the vast continent of Asia, I got from place to place by train, bus, taxi, and hitchhiking. After I returned home, my friends did not believe I could be so adventurous, and the joked that perhaps the only mode of transport I didn't use during my travels was a camel! At the time, there was no Arab-Israeli war, nor was there any great degree of Islamic fundamentalism in Iran or Iraq. This made my trek on the Silk Road a smooth and unforgettable experience. Due to current instability, the route I took is no longer open to travelers, effectively shutting off the overland route from Europe to Asia,　especially Iraq and Afghanistan. This is not to say that I did not run into problems, however. When I was crossing the border from Jordan to Israel, the border guards made me remove the dry batteries from my radio, and then asked me to smash them with a hammer, to prove that they were not homemade bombs. Even though I knew I was innocent, I admit I was pretty nervous while this was going on! One thing I remember clearly is the friendliness of the people I met all over the world. Of course, not all of the people I met were friendly, but for the most part, I never felt lonely on my solo trek. My trip around the world lasted about two years, but in actuality, it is still not over. The farther one travels from home, the more lasting the memories of the experience.I feel the my memories will never fade, and not only because I was at such an impressionable age. Like so many other precious gifts in life, memories of travel cannot be taken away. The camera used Mamiya 35 mill single lens reflex with standard 50 mm lens only. The film was color slide of Kodachrome 25. I took a picture of 2000 shots or more. Photographs you like can be down loaded freely and be used. Please link freely. Also I am looking for some publisher who are interested in my book to publish in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean or other languages. Above book is Japanese version and published on Dec. 1997. It is my hope that after reading my story and viewing my photos, others can share in this realization. Enjoy. Mario Takahashi, Tokyo Japan

America Europe Middle East India Face to Face Travelog

English of Travelog pages are translated with Japanese to English translation service of the Internet.
Therefore, a perfect translation cannot been done yet.

 Home Page