30/03/2026
I met Jay, a 26-year-old student from Chongqing, China, through Couchsurfing during his five-month journey across Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Europe. What struck me most was not only how far he had traveled, but the way he moved through the world: openly, instinctively, and with very little hesitation. Jay shaped his trip less by planning than by curiosity, courage, and a willingness to trust the unexpected. Talking to him made me rethink what meaningful travel can look like: less polished, less predictable, and much more alive. In this interview, he reflects on kindness in Iran, risk and spontaneity on the road, an anime-inspired dream of visiting Italy, and why he believes youth is the right time to live without regret.
I interviewed Jay, a 26-year-old traveler from Chongqing, China. Here he shares lessons from his 5-month journey across Central Asia, Iran, and Europe.
