I met Jay, a 26-year-old student from Chongqing, China, through Couchsurfing during his five-month journey across Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Europe. What struck me most was not only how far he had traveled, but the way he moved through the world: openly, instinctively, and with very little hesitation. Jay shaped his trip less by planning than by curiosity, courage, and a willingness to trust the unexpected. Talking to him made me rethink what meaningful travel can look like: less polished, less predictable, and much more alive. In this interview, he reflects on kindness in Iran, risk and spontaneity on the road, an anime-inspired dream of visiting Italy, and why he believes youth is the right time to live without regret.
“If life is only 70 years, what’s wrong with spending one or two being fully yourself?”
— Jay
Hi Jay, what made you want to take this trip at this point in your life?
I’ve always known that life is short, and that youth is the most precious time. So I want to do what I truly want to do while I still can.
I’m very fortunate to have the unconditional support of my family. My mother and grandmother love and support me no matter what, and that gives me strength. I also know how lucky I am to have three things all at once: a healthy body, some disposable income, and the courage and curiosity of youth. To have all three at once is rare. Most of all, I don’t want to live with regrets. I want to enjoy the present. Right now, travel is what I want most. I want to see the world and understand it from as many angles as I can.
How much of the trip did you actually plan in advance?
I didn’t make any real plans until I got my visa for Europe. Central Asia is visa-free for me as a Chinese traveler, so that part was easy. Once I got the visa, I started packing, said goodbye to my friends and family, and left about a week later. I just couldn’t wait.
Did traveling so spontaneously ever become difficult?
I’ve always been very lucky. But of course there are moments that make you feel unsettled.I see everything as two sides of the same coin, good and bad. I’ve learned to accept both: enjoy the good and learn from the bad.
Did you ever find yourself in real danger?
Yes. In the small town of Kaş in Turkey, a friend and I were swimming in the Mediterranean when we were nearly swept away by a rip current. It was a very dangerous moment, and we were lucky to survive. I managed to swim back on my own after being carried several meters away.
After that experience, I honestly felt even more confident in my abilities.
What were some of the most unforgettable moments of the trip?
In Istanbul, I took a public ferry with another Chinese guy I had just met. We suddenly decided to jump into the sea and swim back to shore just for fun.
Another unforgettable moment happened on my last day in Iran. I stood at a subway station holding a sign that said: “This is my last day in Iran. Could you please write me some blessings? I will take them back to my hometown.” People wrote their messages on my white shirt. It was one of the coolest and most unforgettable moments of my trip.
Where did you meet the kindest people?
Definitely in Iran and Uzbekistan. The warmth of Iranians was unmatched in my experience. If you need help, they will often stop whatever they’re doing and do everything they can to help you.
One day in Isfahan, I asked an Iranian man: “We’re tourists from abroad. Why do you always treat us kindly when we’ve done nothing?” He replied: “Because kindness always exists.” That stayed with me.
In Uzbekistan, I felt that people were especially friendly toward Asians, although I didn’t have one particular experience there that touched me as deeply as in Iran.
Did you meet any travelers who influenced the way you traveled?
Fate is a strange thing. In Yerevan, I met a young Chinese guy in a hostel. I asked him if he was also going to Iran, and he said yes. Then I asked how he planned to get there, and he said he would hitchhike. I immediately said I wanted to join him.
I often make decisions based on intuition. If the feeling is right, I just go for it.
Was there a country you had misunderstood before visiting?
Yes, Iran. Before going there, I had a very wrong impression. I thought places in the Middle East, including Iran, were poorer, more dangerous, less civilized, and more backward than they really are. The trip made me realize that reality is very different from what I had imagined.
We met in Italy, which had clearly been on your mind for a long time. Why was it so important for you to come here?
For Italy, I especially wanted to see Rome, the Vatican, and Naples because of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. I watched this anime six years ago, and ever since then I’ve known I had to come on a kind of pilgrimage to Italy. That was when I first started dreaming about Naples and Rome, even though I had no idea when I would actually come. So for me, this trip is a dream come true.
The most important idea in this anime is the Golden Spirit. In my understanding, it means moving forward even in the face of injustice. Sometimes you already know something will be difficult, and you can even predict the outcome, but you still choose to fight. I find that very appealing.
That is the main reason I love this anime: it constantly reminds me to do what I truly want to do in this world. It also teaches kindness, tolerance, and how to keep a free and courageous soul. Every protagonist embodies that spirit.
How did Europe compare with the earlier part of your journey?
I was deeply impressed by Switzerland, where I spent two weeks. In countries like Belgium, Albania, and the Netherlands, I stayed for shorter periods.
What stood out to me in Switzerland was the public transportation system. It felt highly developed, dense, convenient, and punctual. I also felt that the streets were very safe. To me, that is part of what a developed country should feel like.
Which places in Europe stayed in your mind most vividly?
I stayed in the Dolomites for only one day, and it took a long time to get there, but it was absolutely worth it. I loved it.
The houses in the Netherlands reminded me of building blocks, almost like Lego. And the cathedral in Ghent made me think of Harry Potter. I also knew I had to visit Cologne Cathedral because I had seen it in the media before. It looked huge and dark, and I wanted to see it with my own eyes.
Of course, I only saw a small part of Europe, so this is just my own impression at 26, not an objective judgment.
Did this journey change your idea of home?
No, not really. My idea of home has never changed, because I’ve never strongly felt that I belonged anywhere, not even in my hometown. I’ve lived alone since I was very young, and there is no place where I feel I truly want to stay.
That is one reason I keep traveling. I don’t feel tied down, and I don’t feel a strong sense of belonging. But at the same time, I know I can’t stay away forever, because the people who love me most are waiting for me there.
What would you say to someone who dreams of taking a long trip but keeps postponing it?
If a person’s life is only 70 years long, what’s wrong with spending one or two of those years being fully yourself?
What would you like to say to your future self, two years from now?
Keep the courage to keep going. Never lose your kindness, and always remind yourself to be grateful. Continue to be yourself, and let other voices fade away.
Thank you, Jay, for sharing your journey with such honesty and openness. Talking to you was a beautiful reminder that the most meaningful travel often begins with curiosity and courage.
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