At just 27, Saleh Al-Khanjari, known to his social media following as @omaniaroundtheworld on Instagram, has been to 53 countries. His kind of travel is unique – hitchhiking solo across continents to experience the unknown, meet locals and learn their cultures, traditions and food habits.
Having graduated from Higher College of Technology, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Saleh set out on his first solo trip to Europe in celebration of his graduation. This was his first taste of the joy of travelling, an experience that he says opened his eyes and showed him the beauty of travelling unplanned. Post his graduation, he worked in the oil industry for two years, before he decided to quit his job and live a different life. Here are excerpts from the interview…
What does travelling mean to you?
Travelling is a way to discover yourself and learn; to quash negatives thoughts, stereotypes, racism and to know how the world is. When I say ‘travelling’, I’m not talking about five-star hotels, spas and international buffets – that’s ‘tourism’. To me, travelling means interacting with locals, experiencing their culture, how they live and what they eat.
Solo travel can be enlightening. What have you learned from travelling solo?
Solo travel is the best way to see the world from a different perspective. The most important thing I learned is, to trust strangers as you would a friend. I took rides with them, ate with them and slept in their homes, and had the best experiences.
How has hitchhiking changed you?
I love hitchhiking because I get to meet amazing people along the way – the businessman, farmer, politician, the good, the bad, the storyteller… Hitchhiking taught me how to trust strangers and enjoy their company without a doubt. I’ve hitchhiked in almost all the countries I’ve been to and Oman was the easiest, with an average wait time of just three minutes.
What is the biggest misconception people have about solo travelling?
People keep telling me it’s risky to travel solo in Africa, but I believe that people only know the stereotypes about Africa. That it is full of famine, thieves and primitive people. That’s completely wrong because it is a big continent with 54 countries and there is a lot happening there. For me, Africa was life-changing. I felt safer travelling in Africa than in Europe and the people were pure, authentic, and always welcoming, says Saleh.
Which has been your favourite country to visit?
Every country has touched me in a different way. But I would say Mexico was my favourite because of mutual cultures and similarities. Another favourite is Ethiopia because of the wonderful people I’ve met, the rich delicious food culture and the spectacular landscape all over the country. When it comes to hospitality, Sudan is at the top of my list.
Tell us about an experience you’ll never forget!
I set out to hike up the most challenging mountain in Armenia (2544 m high) with just my 16 kg backpack and a map. My plan was to hike for two hours to a lake near the start point, but when I got there before sunset I decided to explore more. The route I chose was difficult. I had to use chains, slings and walk on the edge. By then, I had met three Czech hikers with whom I hiked to a campsite beside a lake.
The sky got dark and the temperature dropped to 0°C. It was freezing, there wasn’t any wood to light a fire and I didn’t have any warm clothing. The only solution was to stay in my tent and wear everything I had in my backpack – 11 layers of shirts. By midnight I couldn’t feel my limbs but kept them moving to keep blood flowing. I only slept two hours and woke up to find my left hand numb and couldn’t move my fingers at all. Yes, I freaked out, but I was in the middle of nowhere and it was a big risk to go back. The nearest route to exit the mountain was around 30 km, a two-day hike. By the time I had completed it, I was exhausted and felt faint. After a long hitch back to Sibiu, I took a hot shower hoping my hand would get better, but it didn’t. I consulted a doctor and was told I had to stop hiking for a while. I’m glad it went back to normal in a month and to be honest I don’t regret it; I only need to be better prepared next time!
Describe one of the most unique things you’ve come across.
Because trying new things is part of the experience, I blend in and eat what locals eat, says Saleh. In the south of Malawi, they catch mice. I was stunned when a local offered me one to try. He cooked the mice with spices, onion, and tomato to make a delicious meal. It tasted like dried fish. I was amazed at the sight of the local enjoying his meal, eating it like crunchy chips!
What are your hopes for the future?
The reason why I travelled in the first place, was to make a change in myself before trying to make a change in society. Once I did, it was amazing to create a website called Saraina. I wanted to change minds and improve the tourism industry by starting a company that empowers locals to show tourists something different. It is basically a platform that brings locals and tourists together and I hope that it serves its purpose beautifully!