An interview with traveler Paweł Maczel, who together with his colleague Piotr Mazurkiewicz circled the world in 224 days
Boleslawiec.org: You came back safe and healthy. I suppose the predictions about bad people and diseases did not come true?
Paweł Maczel: That's right. Doctors frightened us with stories about diseases, while in the press we read about attacks on tourists. We thought we didn't know what awaited us, that we were traveling to very dangerous regions, where there were thieves, natives with spears, and no access to a telephone. Meanwhile, everything we read turned out to be exaggerated, as were our own ideas. Every city marked on the map has shops, a post office, Internet cafés and hostels. And this is independent of the country. People are normal.
B.org: Was it safe? Did no one try to rob you?
PM: I felt safer and more secure traveling than in Poland. The only danger awaiting white people is petty fraudsters who want to sell everything for several times the price. You have to watch out for that. Asia is difficult, because they try to cheat you at every step. In northern Vietnam, market prices are three times higher for white people. It is better in the USA and Central America, because people there respect one another more and have a greater sense of honor.
B.org: Beata Pawlikowska, a traveler and journalist, said in an interview a few days ago that people around the world have similar problems and behave similarly. Is that true?
PM: Definitely. The landscapes, religions and buildings are different, but generally everything is similar. There are good and polite people, and there are also those who want to cheat you.
B.org: What is the biggest problem?
PM: Verbal communication. If I had to choose two universal languages, I would point to English and Spanish. Without knowing English, I would not go anywhere. Even if you cannot communicate with a local, you can at least talk to another traveler. It is the language used by travelers. In China, a basic knowledge of Mandarin is essential. Simple vocabulary can be mastered within two weeks. Chinese people from the provinces do not use any language other than their own.
B.org: Your reports on your website suggest that all the countries in Asia, except China, are well developed for tourism. Mobile phones work in most places, and there is unlimited access to the Internet. Meanwhile, everything is controlled in China. Did you have any problems?
PM: Not particularly. It is true that a communist system prevails there, but it is completely different from the one that existed in Poland. There are no empty shops, there are modern buildings, and people drive expensive cars. It is colorful. Images of Mao Zedong hang everywhere. However, the Chinese are very traditional, which is why communism does not affect their lives so strongly. The people of China are above all incredibly hardworking. Students gladly attend lectures even on Saturdays and Sundays. Parties come second. Young people care about their education. It may sound banal, but everyone there is happy, smiling and kind.
B.org: The expedition ended earlier than you had planned...
PM: That's a fact. Our plan fell apart when we were in Kuala Lumpur and did not receive visas for Australia. Originally, we wanted to visit Sydney first and then fly to Santiago in South America. Unfortunately, from Kuala Lumpur we were forced to get to anywhere in the Americas, bypassing Australia.
B.org: What did you learn during your 224 days of traveling around the world?
PM: That English, insurance, dollars and a passport are enough. And you can go anywhere.
An interview with Piotr and Paweł in just a few days.