National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is walking from Africa to the tip of South America. He is following the path our human ancestors took about 200,000 years ago. It took ancient humans around 50,000 years to migrate from Africa to South America, but Salopek estimates his journey, which he began in 2013, will take about ten years.
It is the middle of the night in Yumurtalik, Turkey. Two men load their belongings on a pack mule. Alarms clang. Around them, people stand in their pajamas. Behind them, the hotel where they were staying smokes from a fire caused by a cosmetics bag left in a hot laundry room. The two men and the mule walk away, heading east.
This is just one moment in what will be a very long walk.
National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is walking from Africa to the tip of South America. His walk will take him through the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. Salopek is following the path our human ancestors took out of Africa about 200,000 years ago. It took ancient humans around 50,000 years to migrate from Africa to South America. Salopek will make the trek much faster. He estimates his journey, which he began in 2013, will take about ten years.
Telling Stories
Salopek has named his journey the Out of Eden Walk. As he walks through different countries, landscapes, and cultures, Salopek is documenting what he sees and hears. And he isn’t walking alone. During each part of his walk, Paul is joined by a local guide. Along the way, he meets people from small villages, cities, and rural farms. Sometimes, they give him a place to stay for a night or two. Often, his hosts share a little bit about their lives with him.
