Brazilian will be the first black person to travel to all countries – 09/13/2023 – Guia Negro

Digital entrepreneur Robson Jesus, 34 years old, has already visited 126 of the 196 countries in the world and should finish the task of visiting them all by June 2024. “It was a question of having representation. When I had the idea of ​​traveling the world, I went to look who did this and of the 150 people, there were no black men. That motivated me,” he says.

In 2019, American of Ugandan descent Jessica Nabongo became the first black woman to accomplish the feat. Born in Osasco (SP), Robson began traveling the globe on March 20, 2022 and intends to visit the 193 countries recognized by the United Nations (UN), in addition to Taiwan, Palestine and the Vatican. Among black men, only one Jamaican would have written the complete script, but without formal recognition from the Guinness Book.

The first country visited was Thailand and the last will be Brazil. The entire trip should cost around R$500,000. The entrepreneur says he has no sponsorships and that so far he has only made occasional partnerships to help with travel.

What pays for the trip is his advertising, speaking, mentoring and consultancy work. “I have sources of income on the internet. There are days when I spend more than I earn and I count on the help of my followers to continue traveling”, says he, who maintains the page O Nego Vai Longe. To date, Robson de Jesus has written three ebooks: How to pass immigration, How to travel alone and How to issue visas.

When asked which country he liked the most so far, the digital entrepreneur chose one from each continent. “In Asia, it’s Thailand, because it’s a cheap country, with forests, paradisiacal islands and beautiful, energetic people. In Europe, Switzerland has beautiful cities that look like movie scenes. In Africa, I’m in love with Tanzania, but specifically for Zanzibar and America, I really like the culture and I have many friends in the United States”, he says.

Speaking English is considered important by him for a trip like this. When he left Brazil, Robson knew nine countries in the world and had a basic level of conversation and is now at an advanced level. “This means it’s not a restriction, you learn,” he highlights. He believes that education is precisely the difference that made a “guy from the favela take a trip like this”.

The future title of the first black man to travel around the world does not guarantee money from the record books, but it gives him the authority to continue giving lectures and courses and writing a book, which are his post-trip goals.

Until then, Robson needs to send some proof to Guinness, such as an entry ticket, exit ticket, sending his GPS location, photo in front of a formal body in the country and the certificate of two witnesses that they were with him in that location. “It’s very bureaucratic, but it’s the way to guarantee the title. I can stay for a maximum of 14 days in each place”, he explains.

In the period of a year and a half that he has been on the road, he has not had any illness, with the exception of a feverish state that he felt for one day. To stay healthy, take care of your diet and drink plenty of water.

In the survival kit, there is a tablet that purifies the water, in addition to follow-up with travel medicine, a public service that provides medical support for people traveling outside the country and which in São Paulo is offered by Hospital Emílio Ribas.

The suitcase also has two power banks, a spare cell phone, a flashlight, two credit cards (on which tape hides the security code and blocks online purchases). There are also medicines for stomachaches, headaches and sunscreen.

Today Robson’s suitcase weighs 25kg in a 40-liter backpack, which he can carry as hand luggage. “I change clothes along the way,” he says, remembering that he gets rid of pieces when he acquires new ones.

From December onwards, he intends to exchange his backpack for a rolling suitcase. The person who helps with the bureaucratic aspects of the trip is his best friend, Ricardo, as well as the emotional support of his younger brother, Renan, with whom he talks every day.

Among the situations of racism he experienced, he highlights two more delicate ones. One in Ethiopia where he went to a tourist restaurant – all white – and was not served by the waiters. The other was in Greece, where the waiter, when asked why he didn’t serve the starters, replied that people like him didn’t eat bread, but rather bananas.

In addition to racial prejudice, Robson says that being a black traveler brings connections with other people similar to him. In countries like Somalia, Ethiopia and Burundi he was invited to eat at local people’s homes. “During that time on the road, they gave me a home, food and shelter. For every 10 people who cross my path, 9 want to help,” he says.

Traveling around the world also includes passing through countries that are at war or armed conflicts such as Russia, Ukraine, South Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Niger and Burkina Faso. “I always ask God to be able to enter and leave. I spent two sleepless nights in Ukraine for fear of bombs,” he says.

When he completes his mission, the digital entrepreneur says he hopes to be known as a “chameleon, a guy who adapts to various scenarios and situations. An inspiring, hard-working person who pursues his goals.” We are certain: the black man is going far and is opening paths for many others to go too.