The real reason I traveled to 196 countries | Cassie De Pecol | TEDxMileHigh

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker recounts her unprecedented solo journey to 196 countries, breaking two Guinness World Records. She shares the meticulous planning, financial struggles, and the profound cultural experiences that shaped her worldview. From navigating visa challenges to overcoming personal battles with depression, her story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of travel, ultimately urging others to pursue their passions with dedication.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The speaker embarked on an unprecedented solo journey to all 196 countries, breaking two Guinness World Records in the process.
• 📝 To achieve the record, the speaker had to adhere to strict rules, including using only scheduled public transportation and proving her presence in each country with various documents.
• 🚫 Traveling to North Korea was highlighted as particularly challenging due to restrictions on using phones and credit cards, and the lack of passport stamps.
• 🕒 The rule limiting stays to 14 days in each country posed a significant challenge, especially when visa delays threatened the expedition in Yemen.
• 💰 The speaker had to devise creative funding methods, including business plans and an educational documentary, as she did not come from a wealthy background.
• 🗓 The planning for the trip, initially expected to take six months, actually took three years, highlighting the complexity of the endeavor.
• 🌈 The experience was described as a mix of exhilaration, exhaustion, fear, and enlightenment, emphasizing the personal growth and cultural discovery.
• 🤝 A powerful story of human kindness was shared from Cuba, where a taxi driver and his family offered help and hospitality during a financial crisis.
• 🌊 The speaker's travels allowed her to experience unique phenomena like swimming with whales in Tonga and the stark contrast of tranquility in Antarctica after enduring a treacherous passage.
• 🏆 The speaker's motivation for the expedition included making history, challenging misconceptions about women, and testing her physical and mental endurance.
• 💔 The underlying reason for the journey was a personal battle with depression and a desire to find purpose and make a positive impact on society.

Q & A

What unique achievement did the speaker accomplish that no other woman on the planet has done?

The speaker accomplished the unique feat of traveling alone to 196 countries and breaking two Guinness World Records.

What were the main challenges the speaker faced in terms of the Guinness World Record rules?

The speaker faced challenges such as only being allowed to take scheduled public transportation, not being allowed to drive a car during the record attempt, and having to prove her presence in each country through various means like photos, videos, tickets, and GPS coordinates.

How did the speaker document her presence in countries that do not stamp passports?

She collected photos, videos, countless tickets, GPS coordinates, signed witness statements, credit card bills, and phone logs as proof of her presence.

What was the most challenging rule for the speaker regarding the Guinness World Record attempt?

The most challenging rule was that she was not allowed to spend more than 14 days in any country, which was problematic due to unpredictable visa approval times.

What difficulties did the speaker encounter in Yemen that almost ended her expedition?

The speaker faced difficulties such as the U.S. Embassy not letting her in due to high terrorist activity and the Oman authorities not letting her out, risking her being stuck in Yemen.

How did the speaker fund her expedition, and why was it a necessity?

The speaker had to find creative ways to fund her expedition, including developing business plans, finding financial backers, vlogging, and filming an educational documentary, as she did not come from a wealthy background and had to put herself through college.

What was the emotional impact of the speaker's experience in Cuba when she had insufficient funds?

The speaker felt ashamed and broke down in tears on the side of the road because she could not pay the hotel or the taxi driver due to having insufficient cash and Cuba not accepting U.S. debit or credit cards.

How did the kindness of a Cuban taxi driver and his family impact the speaker?

The taxi driver and his family's kindness, offering her a place to stay when she had no money, deeply touched the speaker and reinforced her belief in the goodness of people.

What were some of the speaker's responsibilities and activities during her expedition?

The speaker spoke to over 16,000 students, collected water samples, planted trees to offset her carbon footprint, met with mayors and ministers, and filmed an educational documentary while using social media to showcase the beauty of different countries.

What personal struggles did the speaker face before and during her expedition?

The speaker faced struggles with depression and feelings of unexplained sadness, which she initially ignored and later had to learn to manage during her expedition.

What was the turning point for the speaker that led her to embark on the expedition?

The turning point was when the speaker hit rock bottom in Los Angeles, questioning her impact on society, and then deciding to pursue her passion for travel as a means to overcome her struggles.