As a child, I went on vacation with my mother and sister to the North Sea, along the German and Dutch coasts. Although I really enjoyed it—Zeeland is beautiful—I was secretly jealous of classmates who went to Spain and Greece. By the time I became a teenager, I was heavily into juggling and participated in shows. I was eager to attend workshops and training where jugglers from all over the world gathered. My mother was fine with it, as long as I funded it myself and had the proper guidance. As a result, I quickly gained responsibility and became independent. In 2017, I took my first flight to Poland and, in no time, I was traveling from juggling conference to juggling conference. When I arrived in China, my 76th country, I thought: this is what I want to do. I want to visit all the countries in the world. To the Chinese circus festival, I said: “If you’re paying for my return flight anyway, send me back via Uzbekistan.

WASHING IN COW URINE

"I often travel alone, because not many people want to go to dangerous countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. Sometimes I'm scared. In Papua New Guinea, for example, I was in the car with a police officer who was supposed to take me to the airport when a robbery suddenly took place. He got out and fired a few warning shots in the air. I was beside myself. If there was any return fire, I would definitely be hit. Fortunately, the policeman quickly got back in and nicely drove me to the airport. In South Africa, I was arrested by a corrupt officer who wanted to see money because I supposedly photographed a roundabout. When I refused, I was thrown in a cell. I sat there for hours. In the end, I negotiated: instead of paying 200 euros, I was allowed to pay 20 euros. Then I was able to leave. But I also experience less dangerous, unique things. In South Sudan, I was the first tourist to participate in the morning ritual of the Mundari tribe. Men from this tribe wash their hair with cow urine, which gives it a special color. They find it attractive. They also wash themselves with it. I admit: it was pretty gross."

REFLECTION

'Traveling makes me grateful. It allows me to reflect on my own life and realize how much luxury I grew up in. If I'm irritated now because public transport, for example, doesn't run on time, I think: what is it about? There are so many people living in poverty. The downside is that I see my family and friends less. Luckily, for now, I have an apartment in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This home base provides a bit more peace. Incredible that the little boy who dreamed of Spain has now seen all 195 countries of the world.'