Denis Bashmakov: the story of one traveler

Denis Bashmakov looks like an ordinary young man of twenty-seven years. Originally from Cheboksary. As he puts it to himself, “I’m a village guy who got out of the hinterland into a huge metropolis known as Moscow.” In the capital, Denis received higher education at the Gubkin Russian University of Oil and Gas and got a prestigious and profitable job at the Transneft Research Institute. But at some point finally decided for himself that this was not what he needed, and wrote a letter of resignation. Since 2015, a lot has changed in Denis’ life, and what exactly we will learn next.

 

 

Denis, why did you quit your lucrative job in Moscow and go on a trip?

 

I’ve always wanted to travel, but I didn’t have the opportunity. When I realized that I did not like my job, that I did not have time for anything else, I decided to quit. That’s when I realized that nothing is holding me back right now. Why not go on a trip? There won't be a better time. And I just left.

 

Where did you go first and why?

 

First of all, I went to India, bought a one-way ticket to Moscow-Delhi. He was there for six months because the visa was issued for this period. During this time I traveled almost all of India. Why India? It was a convenient place from which I could begin to move on my further route eastward towards other Asian countries. In addition, India is a spiritual center where harmony reigns, meditation and yoga are practiced and this cannot but attract.

 

 

What difficulties arose on the way to the goal?

 

- As such, there was no difficulty. There were difficulties in understanding with my parents, they did not understand why, where and why I was going. They didn’t realize I was really going away for a long time. And when they realized the seriousness of my intentions, they constantly called, for example, my mother said: “Why do you need all this, why do you go around the world, do nothing, it’s time to go home, work and live like all normal people!” The same opinion was expressed by many of my friends, who continued to work and live as usual. They didn’t understand my new way of life and why I was doing it. In general, there were no serious difficulties hindering my idea.

 

 

How did you prepare for your first trip?

 

- Honestly, I didn't prepare. Maybe life itself prepared me for this. When I left, the first thing I did was go to Ufa for three months. It was a completely different city, a new one for me, where I lived on my savings. At this time, he was actively engaged in self-development: he went to meetings, master classes, trainings, met and communicated with interesting people. I took care of myself, read books, ran. As you can see, I didn’t have much training, I was just ready for it.

 

 

How long have you been traveling?

 

I started my trip on November 15, 2015, recently it was 2 years old. Since then, I have been riding around the world, traveled Asia, Russia and now started in Europe.

 

How many countries and cities do you have in your account?

 

I have visited 19 countries so far, and unfortunately I did not count them because there were too many of them on my way.

 

 

Where do you stay while traveling?

 

- I usually stay with the guys on couchsurfing. You can download the application on your mobile or find a website, with the help of couchsurfing you can stop in all cities of the world, in almost any country. I also stayed with local people who picked me up while hitchhiking, in Buddhist temples, and used to sleep at train stations.

 

The most unusual place to sleep during your wanderings?

 

- Hard to say, there were quite a lot of places, probably the most unusual - this is a bench in a park in Bangkok.

 

You often use host services, how convenient is it? What are the pros and cons, can it be dangerous?

 

It’s easy to see how local people live. Learn about their culture and local life from the inside out. You can also make new friends. And save money. There are pros and cons to everything.

Pros: cultural exchange and friendly relations.

 

Cons: As a rule, living with someone, you get less personal space, one way or another you have to give something to your host, share with him, communicate with him. You can't just lock yourself in your room like a hostel or a hotel and go about your business. It can be really hard and you get tired of it.

But there's more to it.

 

Regarding security, it can be different, but, as a rule, people who accept travelers are kind, open and hospitable. Unfortunately, I cannot give 100% guarantees, but from my experience I can say that 95% of cases are positive experiences.

 

 

How do you move from one city to another?

 

The main way to get around is to hitchhike. The choice is due to the fact that during hitchhiking I meet a lot of people. With different lives, stories, interesting life experiences. So I am also gaining experience and broadening my horizons. I also know the local people. I am changing my vision of the world and gaining new knowledge. So the trips are more interesting, more fun. Sometimes these people become your friends and that’s great.

 

Are you afraid to get into a car with a complete stranger?

 

- Honestly, it's not scary. I'm pretty good at this and I'm ready for almost any situation and outcome. So I think of a new person and a new car as a new page in a book, and it's an interesting experience for me. And I believe that when you yourself are an adequate, kind and open person, then on your way you will meet exactly the same people.

 

You want to share some tips on hitchhiking?

 

The most important thing is to find a good position for the foot, for example, outside the city, it is easier to catch a car there. The place should be visible, it is desirable that there was a pocket or exit to the side of the road so that the car had where to stay. It is important that the flow rate is adequate, the lower the speed, the more likely you are to be seen and picked up. And most importantly, you need to be friendly, then everything will work out for sure.

 

 

How much time does it take on average to catch transport?

 

It all depends on the country, the people and the place where you stand. In Asia, on average, it took me 10-15 minutes, in Russia 30 minutes - an hour, in Europe it can take 2-3 hours. It all depends on the openness of people, on the local mentality.

 

 

How long was your longest trip?

 

The longest trip lasted 4 days. It was in Indonesia, I was driving with a trucker on the island of Sumatra, we drove about 2,000 kilometers. He was very kind to me, a wonderful soul man, gave me food and let me sleep in his car. The interesting thing is that he didn't know a word of English, but we were able to find a common language.

 

Tell me about the most interesting trip?

 

- It's hard to single out one of them. Each one is interesting in its own way. But I can tell you about one of the brightest. It happened in India, a man picked me up on the highway, and I had to go to Amritsar, which is a city in the state of Punjab in northwest India. But it just so happened that he gave me a lift to his village, and then I stayed with him for three days and we became very good friends!

 

 

How much money do you spend on an average trip?

 

It depends on the country and the region. In Asia and India, I spent 3-4 thousand rubles a month, in other countries less, for example, in Thailand 2 thousand rubles a month. I’ve been riding for six months without any money. But in Europe everything is different, a day takes 3-5 euros.

 

How do you make money traveling?

 

I don’t usually make money on travel, but if I get an opportunity, I don’t refuse. For example, in India, I participated in the shooting of a film, was in the extras. In Thailand, he helped a friend while filming a video. He volunteered and was paid for it.

 

I wasn't looking for a job. But there are many options, there would be a desire.

 

 

What has become the most memorable and beloved place in the years of travel? Where would you like to go back?

 

- I'd like to go back to India. She hooked me the most. There are the most open, good-natured and always hospitable people.

 

What are your plans for the future? Where are you going soon?

 

In principle, I don’t have a specific plan. I have been in Europe for a month now and plan to spend the next two months here. Then I'll move the side of Morocco. Then I want to visit some African countries, for example, South Africa, where I have friends. So, I don’t make plans, everything happens by itself, along the way.

 

What did you get from a complete change of lifestyle?

 

Feeling like I was living the wrong life and missing a lot. Now I meet a lot of beautiful people, I learn from them, I see that you can live in a very different way. That there is so much beautiful, interesting and beautiful in the world. And it's worth traveling - it's really cool.

 

 

What would you like to wish to our readers and newcomers?

 

If you want to travel, you just have to go. If you are not afraid, you will see this amazing world with your own eyes!

 

If you have a "hunt for change of places" for the upcoming New Year holidays, we advise you to pay attention to the selection, which is specially prepared for you "Personal Guide" - more than 50 different winter routes in Russia and around the world.Winter holiday 2018. Countries, cities, routes", as well as trips to the New Year on which you can go twice n. family or individually.