Karl Bushby, a 57-year-old former British paratrooper, has completed his 28-year odyssey around the globe, finally arriving back at his mother’s home in Hull, England. Bushby embarked on his unprecedented walk in 1998, vowing to traverse the world entirely on foot without using any rides.
His return journey culminated on Monday outside his mother Angela's home, where he was met with a banner reading "Welcome Home Son" and a crowd of reporters, onlookers, and a documentary crew. "They say it takes a village but literally it took a world to get me here," Bushby told the gathered crowd, emphasizing the kindness of strangers and nations that aided his journey.
The epic trek, which covered approximately 31,000 miles across four continents and 30 countries, began after a birthday card from his father sparked the idea of walking from London to New York via the Bering land bridge. Bushby, who had served 12 years in the Army, left his home shortly after a divorce, seeking a significant challenge.
He started his journey on November 1, 1998, from Punta Arenas, Chile, with a stated goal of completing the walk in about five years. However, the reality of the expedition proved far more demanding. Bushby encountered numerous obstacles, including navigating the treacherous Darién Gap, surviving armed conflict, and spending 18 days in a Panamanian jail. In 2006, he and adventurer Dimitry Kieffer crossed the frozen Bering Strait, facing extreme weather and a close encounter with a polar bear, which led to arrest in Russia for illegal entry.
Visa issues and bureaucratic hurdles, particularly in Russia, consumed nearly a decade of his journey. A five-year entry ban from Russia in 2013 forced him to reroute through Mongolia and China, undertake a swim across the Caspian Sea, and eventually make his way back into Europe. The final leg of his journey involved swimming the English Channel over three days in early October, landing on Shakespeare Beach near Dover.
During his absence, Bushby's son, Adam, who was 8 years old when his father left, grew up and started his own family. Bushby is meeting his granddaughter for the first time. He noted the need to reconnect with his family after years of distance.
Filmmaker Werner Herzog is directing a documentary about Bushby's journey, titled "Walk of Life." Bushby plans to focus on the film and public speaking engagements following his return.
Reflecting on his experience, Bushby expressed that despite the challenges, he has no regrets and would not change anything. He noted that the journey has reaffirmed his belief in the fundamental goodness of humanity, stating, "People are amazing, despite what we think the world looks like. Humanity is worth the effort."