"There are poor countries, but there are no bad people" - an interview with the traveler Leonid Pashkovsky

Hello, Leonid! Why did you decide to show the "reality without make-up and second double"? People like vlogs about the sea and happiness, and not about the poverty and dirt

Programs featuring beautiful places where you can spend money and have fun, too. I like the audience already interested to watch them.

Those who inspire me like adventure books by Jack London, it is interesting to discover something new. How to get there, where few people went? How people live there? Despite the fact that all voyages of discovery has long been committed on this planet a lot of white spots, about which almost no one knows anything.

Why not go to Easter Island, for example? About him since Thor Heyerdahl, too few people learned

I want to be not only the "pioneer", but also an educator. When I was going to Iran, he told me: "Where are you going? There you will cut off my head! "But this is absurd!

Having been there, you will understand how Iran is safe for tourists. There's not a walk in the streets of religious fanatics. The state was generally secular some 40 years ago. Lifestyle and ideas of Iranians, of course, spiced oriental flavor, but very close to the European one. The locals are always welcoming and hospitable: invite home are treated to tea, acquaint with their families.

People think about the countries and peoples of stereotypes: in Barcelona, ​​all bathed in the sea, and eat frogs in France. Even more prejudices associated with such unpopular countries like Pakistan or Bangladesh. I do not want people to talk about cutting off heads and other nonsense that impose the media, and I hope that my little project fulfills an educational function.

Wait! When you come to Pakistan, you are immediately taken under armed escort. Not very similar to a warm welcome

Pakistan - a completely different country, and I went there unprepared. Thinking that everything is calm, as the world's press for a long time says nothing about the situation there. Only then I read the news on the Internet.

I drove through in Pakistan's Baluchistan province. As it turned out, it is not just a desert - there intersect the geopolitical interests of many players. The Chinese in this place to build a port to become a major transit hub. There's a lot of minerals, which are a lot of people claim. And yet the border with Iran and Afghanistan, which is important from the military-strategic point of view. Plus domestic showdown between the provinces and regions of the country. In general, densely it is mixed.

Almost every day in Balochistan originate attack: shoot buses, kidnap and kill soldiers. Therefore, local authorities are forced to protect visitors. I was accompanied with machine guns until I moved out of the province.

Then I traveled to Pakistan is already like a tourist. Again, the locals are very well disposed towards foreigners. No need to be in constant tension, that someone would attack or rob you. Religion and culture forbids Muslims so treat guests.

"I read the news on the Internet." In Pakistan, there is the Internet?

In Pakistan, a delightful 4G! :)

This is another stereotype, if the Internet is only in metropolitan areas. I was connected even in remote villages of Bangladesh.

When viewers in the comments ask me: "And how are you charged the camera," I feel funny.

Globalization is comprehensive. Everywhere there is electricity, mobile communications and the Internet.

Yes, there are places where bad catches and speed sometimes leaves much to be desired. But you can buy a signal booster and breathe calmly. Yes, Iran blocked services like Facebook and Instagram, but it is well treated with the help of VPN, And in the first place by the locals.

But as the bank card account?

In Iran, Visa and MasterCard blocked - had to carry with them the cash. In Pakistan, Bangladesh and India with the cards is no problem. So just to withdraw cash from ATMs as necessary.

And so openly carried a wallet in your pocket?

Do not you want to be robbed - did not provoke. I wore the cash in a special underwear bag. It is worn under pants and completely invisible. Look in tourist shops - very convenient.

Also wrung money in the tubes and put in a tube from under vitaminok. I sprinkle it all with the same pills. It is unlikely that someone will come in to steal the head medication.

Only once I was the victim of pickpockets. But, firstly, it was in India. In Muslim countries, once again, with the theft of all strictly. Secondly, my fault: relax and put the money in his pants pocket. So do not be even in Moscow. :)

Another stereotype of poor countries, if there is a complete lack of sanitation. You did some vaccinations before traveling?

About unsanitary conditions, unfortunately, true. Very dirty, a lot of garbage everywhere with plumbing problems. Therefore, the main rule - drink only bottled or boiled water.

Once in Bangladesh, I had to drink rainwater. I was in a village where there is no running water. People live in huts made of tin and collected in large barrels of rainwater. I had no choice. Thank God nothing happened. But I wished I had brought along a filter tube. It is as usual straws - dipping and you drink, but with built-in filter, which disinfects water. It is also extremely useful for the tourist thing.

I have no vaccinations do not - it's not the tropics. Yes, they are not required. When entering the country need vaccination, without it you will not give a visa.

By the way, it is difficult to obtain visas in such unstable countries like Iran and Pakistan?

Since Iran is no problem. There's even possible to get a visa upon arrival if staying no more than two weeks. If longer, buy a travel agency reference code from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (something like an invitation), you go to the embassy and easy to apply for the visa.

In Pakistan there is difficult. Need a pile of papers that are very difficult to arrange. Thus it is impossible to get a visa anywhere except at the consulate of their nationality. I was lucky. I pre-made Iranian and Indian visa at the embassy and explained that the plan to exit quickly on Pakistan transit.

Already I decided where you go in the second "Home sweet home" season?

Awaiting. We would like to explore Africa. Nigeria, Rwanda, Congo, Burkina Faso - absolute terra incognita. But we'll see how everything goes with visas and finances.

How did you prepare for a previous trip and how you will prepare for the next?

First of all, I try to find as much information. To begin with, even suitable guide Lonely Planet. Then I am looking for people who can tell me something about the country or something to help. In Nigeria, for example, I already have a couple friends. I chat with them, find out what and how.

Be sure to read English-language forums travelers and ask there questions I am interested in places and organizational aspects.

Then I start to get acquainted with the culture. This very helpful literature and movies, written by local writers and captured by local directors. It is not obvious, but very effective tool. It helps to understand the worldview of the people.

Then, perhaps, you broniruesh housing?

I enjoyed almost anywhere kauchsorfingom. It is very comfortable! You immediately associate with English-speaking people who are open to dialogue and ready to show the country.

The more closed the country, the more openly to communicate with foreigners its population.

Kauchsorfing for Iranians and Pakistanis - it is an opportunity to tell about themselves and their homeland.

And what they tell?

And the bad and good. The Iranians are a lot of complaining about the government. We asked constantly to make them a visa to Europe. They're about us, too, judged by stereotypes: if you have a European look and you travel, then you are a German or an American and you have a lot of money. :)

Pakistanis slightly prettified, they say, all we have is fine and good. But I can understand them - they know what they are afraid of the world.

Indians are very cunning: they say beautiful flowery phrases, but the truth is never told.

Name five things that you definitely You take along for the ride

1. Smartphone. This is really all you need when traveling. To upload all kinds of tourist applications, offline maps and travel anywhere in the world.
2. Money. Around the world in 100 dollars - this is certainly cool. But when you have no money, you always think, where to stay and what to eat. You do not have the time and effort to communicate with people and get to know the country. All the energy spent on it to survive.
3. Camera. I take on the Panasonic HC-V770 - it's such a hand-held camera with a folding small screen. SLR heavy, ever need to catch the focus and change lenses. And with such a camera to easily pass for normal tourist.
4. External battery.
5. Sleeping bag and mat.

What we have to use a sleeping bag?

Yes, it's convenient! You go to some dirty train crawled into the sleeping bag and immediately warm and cozy. Just "I do not want to go home." :)

By the way, why the project is pitiful name - "Home sweet home"?

This banter.

They say, well, where we do not. In fact, it would be good to visit such places, which will make stop complaining about their country. When the familiar whine, how bad is it in Belarus, I advise them to live a month in Bangladesh.

Our starting position is much higher than in many countries of the world. I do not understand when people with apartments, cars and work complain about life, because he saw the people in the slums, which do not lose heart and behave with dignity. No matter what.

And you do not oppress the socio-economic and political inequality that you keep watching? You do have something to compare - often in the United States there are

I often covers the feeling of sadness and full of despair. The more I travel, the more clearly I see that in the world there is no justice, no equality. And, unfortunately, it never will be.

Money talks. Brand sneakers in America are $ 150, and the child, sewing them into Bangladesh, gets 2 cents a day.

Wealthy people, even in religious countries with more restrictions are almost a secular lifestyle. Because money gives another level of freedom. The poor cling to traditions and customs, because they have no other support in life. It is very hinders their cultural development.

In one interview you said that you need to travel out of the country, and people. What did you know about the people during his visits?

People are the same everywhere. Regardless of religion or color. Everyone wants them to have a home and food to children in no way needed.

And all the people good.

There is a bad country, but there are no bad people.

If in the Islamic countries had a higher standard of living and education, people have not been conducted on the absurd religious appeals. The problem with the same Koran that a huge number of Muslims do not know Arabic and did not read it. They rely only on paraphrases and interpretations of their local imam, and he can say anything.

There is a life hacking: if you want to see a good restaurant or not, go to the toilet. What are the attractions to visit in order to understand the country?

No. :)

On the contrary, it is better to stay away from the attractions. Take a trip to the market, walk around the local slums, look at the city's train stations. This is real life.

What other tips do you have for "non-standard" for travelers who want to go in your footsteps in Iran, Pakistan or Bangladesh?

• Wield information. I met travelers zero backgrounds and I saw the panic in their eyes. Even buy a train ticket or a bus in a foreign country can be difficult if you do not call in advance about this.
• Do not be afraid and do not listen to anyone. The hotspots you will still not be allowed. If you as a tourist given the green light, most likely, nothing will happen to you.
• Buy insurance. Local police will protect you from bandits, but not from a broken arm or a cold. A medical expenses abroad are very expensive.

Well, the last. What advise to look and read for those who is interested or, like you, makes a serious travel-journalism?

For me, the standard of everything that makes American Vice magazine. They do a lot of reports from different countries and under the policy of sauce, religion or fashion reveal acute social problems.

I enjoy the show Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown. Too American. He seems to be about the food, but the meaning is much deeper. Like the show Rick and Tunna constantly experiencing somewhere fortune (there are in Russian on YouTube). Of the Russian-speaking respect the "world inside out."

Leonid, thank you very much for the advice, life hacking and incredibly interesting conversation!

Thank Layfhakeru! :)

If readers have questions, happy to answer in the comments.