Brazilian on bicycle with mission
Asti Megasari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
"Conquering the world" is not the right phrase to use. Rather passion, and a mission to teach and to learn are the main driving forces behind Argus Caruso Saturnino's determination to cycle around the globe.
The 25-year-old Brazilian was recently in Indonesia for almost one month as part of his journey of discovery. His mission is to get to "know other cultures and people", said the carefree young man.
He cycled across South America, from Brazil to the land of the Inca Empire in Peru, before flying to Sydney to begin his east coast journey, after which he visited East Timor and Kupang.
Saturnino cycles, sails and climbs, but it was not easy for him to make the decision to "get on his bike".
"It was difficult for me to get away from the job ... but now I am here and very happy," he said. "I asked myself many times (before making the decision). I have no money but I do have my health and plenty of time."
A strong determination, willpower and support from his family have made Saturnino's journey possible. He has now accomplished almost half of his trip, a feat that took him a total of 10 months.
Saturnino started his "tour de Java" from Kuta in Bali on Sept. 8. He peddled his way through Central Java's southern regency of Banyumas, and arrived in Jakarta 18 days later.
"The rice fields are really nice; you don't find them in Brazil," he explained when asked about the most enjoyable part of his journey across Indonesia.
Language can be a little bit of a problem, but this has not stopped him from actively interacting with the locals. He often visits town centers and takes pictures of the scenes for remembrance sake.
He describes himself as a nomad and says, "I live a completely different life from other people."
A bicycle and some personal belongings are all he needs in his journey around the world. Some clothes, pants, a pair of shoes and other basics are his loyal companions.
Often, Saturnino has to camp out in the fields when there is no suitable accommodation available. "I sleep in cheap accommodation, camp out, and when people invite me into their homes, I appreciate it a lot".
This is more than just an obsession for travel. It is also a journey of self-discovery for the architecture and urban planning graduate.
"It helps you to understand your own culture better. In Indonesia, people help each other, something that doesn't really happen in Brazil."
He believes that knowing different cultures can open up people's minds in many ways. "Traveling makes me think a lot of the time," he said.
Determination, wisdom, responsibility and a sense of direction are very much reflected in his stories.
Having traveled widely and experienced many things, the young Saturnino has developed a particular sensitivity to his surroundings.
He expressed great concern over the issue of environmental degradation. Mother Earth is Saturnino's home.
"I have learned to respect nature much more." He thinks that the world is moving so fast that many have neglected the importance of having a sustainable environment.
His family values education very highly. As the second of three children, Saturnino believes that life is all about continuous learning, and is greatly concerned about educational access for children in his home country.
Seeing the limited educational resources that Brazilian students have, Saturnino is determined to share his experiences with them.
This is not all about travel. It is an educational project at the same time.
Saturnino writes an online journal that highlights historical, geographical and cultural facts about the places he has visited. The journal, he claims, has been used widely in Brazil for educational purposes.
"I want to tell students what I have seen, everything for the public schools is free," said the young man.
Having secured sponsorship from several organizations, Saturnino's interest in history has compelled him to carefully select well-known historical routes.
The Inca trail has been done and he has visited a number of old East India Company garrison towns here. Subsequently, he plans to cycle the silk road, the caravan trails to the Roman empire, the routes by which Islam expanded, and Africa-Asia trade routes.
On Thursday (Oct. 3), he continued his journey on to Malaysia and he will pedal all the way through Thailand, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Greece and several other countries.
"The idea behind this journey is to visit as many parts of the third world as possible. I realize that I will meet some problems but at the same time I will learn something new," said Saturnino, who plans to write a book about his journey one day.
Having knowledge about third world countries is important for him as it will help him "understand our brothers around the world who are in the same situation (as in Brazil)."
His thoughtfulness on educational topics does not end here. Saturnino has often visited schools to share his message. He also participated in the International Cultural Festival, organized by Paramadina, a Muslim educational institute in Jakarta, on Sept. 28.
If you are interested in following Saturnino's progress around the world, you can check out his website: www.pedalandoeeducando.com.br