Why One Man Is Walking Around the World With His Dog

Great Big Story

22 Jul 202004:39

Summary

TLDRTom and his dog Savannah have embarked on an extraordinary journey, walking across 35 countries and covering 18,000 miles over five years. Inspired by the fleeting nature of life, Tom left his New Jersey home at 26 with minimal belongings. Adopting Savannah in Texas, they've faced numerous challenges, from harsh climates to Savannah's near-fatal tick bite. Their adventures highlight the kindness of strangers and the universal human desire for connection and family, as they continue their trek from Antarctica to Europe, currently in Azerbaijan with 7,000 miles to go.

Takeaways

🚶‍♂️ Tom and his dog Savannah are on an epic journey, walking across 35 different countries, covering 18,000 miles over five years.
🎵 The journey was inspired by a desire for adventure and a deep immersion into different cultures and human experiences, sparked by the realization of life's brevity after the death of Tom's friend Emery.
💼 Tom left the comforts of his New Jersey home at the age of 26 with minimal belongings, seeking to be off the beaten track.
🐾 Savannah joined Tom on his journey in Austin, Texas, after he decided a companion would be nice during his solo walks.
🇲🇽 Mexico was the first foreign country Tom walked through, marking a significant milestone in their journey.
🌎 The pair faced numerous challenges, including extreme weather conditions in Costa Rica and health scares for Savannah in Chile.
🤝 Tom discovered the kindness of strangers, who often provided help and hospitality during difficult times, highlighting the universal values of community and support.
👟 The physical demands of the journey are evident, as shown by the wear and tear on Tom's shoes after two years of walking.
⛵ They took a break from walking to travel to Antarctica by boat before resuming their journey in Europe.
🏞 The script mentions the beauty and warmth of various countries, including Italy, Croatia, and Turkey, each offering unique cultural experiences.
📍 Currently in Baku, Azerbaijan, Tom and Savannah have two more years and 7,000 miles to go to complete their journey.
🌏 Tom's reflections on the journey reveal a deeper understanding of the world and himself, recognizing the commonalities among people across different landscapes and cultures.

Q & A

Who is the main character in the video script?
-The main character is Tom, who embarked on a journey with his dog, Savannah.
What was the motivation behind Tom's decision to walk across different countries?
-Tom wanted to experience humanity in the most immersive way possible and to make the most of life after the sudden death of his close friend Emery.
How many miles has Tom and Savannah walked together?
-Together, they have walked 18,000 miles over the past five years.
What was the first foreign country Tom walked through with Savannah?
-The first foreign country they walked through was Mexico.
What challenges did Tom and Savannah face in Costa Rica?
-In Costa Rica, they faced extreme heat and humidity, walking through the jungle without wind, making the walk very tough.
What health issue did Savannah encounter in Chile?
-Savannah almost died from a tick bite in Chile, but was saved with the help of locals who got them to a vet.
How did Tom's perception of the world change during his journey?
-Tom realized that despite the surface-level differences, the universal desires of people to make a living and spend time with family are the same everywhere.
What did Tom learn about the kindness of strangers during his journey?
-Tom learned about the power and beauty of kindness through the help they received from strangers, such as a restaurant owner in the desert who provided food and shelter.
How did Tom's journey begin on his 26th birthday?
-On his 26th birthday, Tom packed a sleeping bag, an extra pair of shoes, and a few essential items, and left his New Jersey home to start his adventure.
What did Tom and Savannah do after their journey in Antarctica?
-After their journey in Antarctica, they took a boat and then picked up their walk in Europe, continuing eastward.
Where are Tom and Savannah currently located, and how much more of their journey do they have left?
-They are currently in Baku, Azerbaijan, with 2 years and 7,000 miles of walking remaining.

Outlines

00:00

🚶‍♂️ Tom's Global Trek with Savannah

Tom and his dog Savannah are on an epic journey, walking across 35 countries, covering 18,000 miles over five years. The adventure was sparked by Tom's desire for an immersive travel experience and a realization of life's brevity after the death of his friend Emery at 17. Starting from New Jersey on his 26th birthday, Tom carried only essential items. After four months, he adopted Savannah in Austin, Texas, and they began their border-crossing adventures. The journey has been filled with challenges, from physical exhaustion to Savannah's health scares, but also with the heartwarming kindness of strangers they've met along the way.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Adventure

Adventure is a pursuit of new and exciting experiences often involving risk and the unknown. In the video's theme, it is the driving force behind Tom's decision to walk across different countries with his dog, Savannah, seeking to experience life in an immersive way. The script mentions Tom's desire for 'adventure' as the reason for choosing to walk off the beaten track.

💡Immersive Experience

An immersive experience is one that deeply involves the senses and emotions, creating a feeling of being completely part of the activity or environment. The video emphasizes the immersive nature of Tom's journey, as he aims to experience humanity in the most profound way possible, walking through various landscapes and cultures.

💡Kindness of Strangers

The kindness of strangers refers to the unexpected generosity and support received from people one does not know. The script illustrates this concept through the instances where locals help Tom and Savannah, such as when a restaurant owner provides them with food and shelter in the desert.

💡Life's Fleeting Nature

The concept of life's fleeting nature is the realization that life is short and unpredictable. Tom's journey is sparked by the sudden death of his close friend Emery, leading him to understand the importance of making the most of life and embarking on his walking adventure.

💡Walking

Walking is the primary mode of Tom's travel in the video, symbolizing a slow and intimate way to explore the world. It is not just a physical activity but also a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery and experiencing different cultures, as Tom and Savannah walk across countries and face various challenges.

💡Camaraderie

Camaraderie is the friendly closeness or unity among people who share a common experience or interest. In the video, the bond between Tom and Savannah is highlighted, showing how their companionship enriches their journey and helps them overcome obstacles.

💡Challenges

Challenges in the video refer to the difficulties and obstacles encountered during the journey. For example, the script describes the tough walk through Costa Rica's jungle with extreme heat and humidity, and Savannah's health scare in Chile due to a tick bite.

💡Self-Discovery

Self-discovery is the process of learning about oneself, often through new experiences. Tom's journey is as much about discovering the world as it is about understanding himself. The script indicates that he initially thought he knew a lot about the world and himself, but the journey taught him how much he didn't know.

💡Universality

Universality in the context of the video refers to the common desires and aspirations of people across different cultures and places. Tom realizes that regardless of the superficial differences, the fundamental human needs and values, such as making a living and spending time with family, are universal.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or adapt to change. The video showcases resilience through Tom and Savannah's continued journey despite physical exhaustion and various adversities they face along the way.

💡Cultural Exchange

Cultural exchange is the act of sharing and experiencing different cultures. The video's theme of walking through 35 countries implies a rich cultural exchange as Tom and Savannah interact with locals and immerse themselves in various customs and traditions, such as the warm hospitality in Turkey and the beautiful landscapes in Italy.

Highlights

Tom and his dog Savannah are embarking on an 8-hour daily walk across 35 different countries.

Together, they have walked 18,000 miles over the past five years.

Tom's desire for adventure and an off-the-beaten-path experience led him to choose walking as his mode of travel.

The loss of a close friend at 17 inspired Tom to make the most of life through travel.

Tom left his New Jersey home at 26 with minimal belongings to start his journey.

After four months of solo walking, Tom adopted Savannah in Austin, Texas.

Mexico was the first foreign country Tom and Savannah walked through.

Costa Rica presented the most challenging walking conditions with extreme heat and humidity.

Savannah almost died from a tick bite in Chile but was saved by the kindness of locals.

The kindness of strangers was a recurring theme throughout their journey.

Tom and Savannah faced a crossroads in the desert, finding hospitality at a small restaurant.

Their journey has spanned from the desert to the mountains and the jungle, revealing universal human desires.

Italy offered an abundance of beautiful landscapes, food, and culture.

Croatia and Turkey were described as magical and warm places during their walk.

Currently in Baku, Azerbaijan, Tom and Savannah have two years and 7,000 miles left to complete their journey.

Tom's journey has taught him about the world and himself, realizing how much he didn't know.