Exploring Cultures

Out of Eden Walk

On April 8, 2019
By daniel50
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In 2013, the reporter, Paul Salopek, set out on a 21,000 mile long journey to explore the global migration of our ancestors. In his slow journalism experiment, Salopek starts in Africa and explores the pathways that the first humans migrated on. Through his word, pictures, videos, and audio, Salopek tells the stories of his discoveries on his journey, as well as the stories of the people he meets on the way.

Chapter 1: Out of Africa

Milestone 2: Afar Badlands

Day 19, mile 100, in Afar Region, Ethiopia

The first point I chose to explore on my walk is Milestone 2, Afar Badlands. The first thing I notice in the panorama view (pictured above) was how the rocks seemed to stretch on for miles. The view, although simple, is a beautiful landscape with mountains showing in the background. In the panoramic view, it can be seen that Paul Salopek is traveling with three other men and two camels on this journey. The hot climate of the area is evident, as the three men’s foreheads are shining with sweat. One observation that Salopek made about this area was the lack of camel food, which can be seen in the pictures. While at this location Salopek met Ali Dille, a 35-year-old district administrator from Hadar. He talked about how all of the world’s people are from there and asked Paul Salopek if he needed a ride in his vehicle.

Chapter 2: Holy Lands

Milestone 13: Bedouin Country

Day 256, mile 1,200, in North of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

At this stop, Paul Salopek observes the miles and miles of desert that is surrounding them. When they arrived at the area, little girls began to hide behind a scrub and giggle. Then, when a grown woman was seen by the men, she threw herself to the ground and covered her entire body until they left. Paul Salopek met Naji Suleiman Slayim, who is a 28-year-old camel and sheep herder. It was quite evident from his interview that camels are a large part of the life there and because of that, are highly valued. In his interview, he mentions how he does not care much about money, but does care about camels.

Chapter 3: Autumn Wars

Milestone 23: Guerillas

Day 573, mile 2,200, near Erzin, Turkey

At this location, the Anatolian, Arabian, African tectonic plates meet, making it the last stop on the jounery that links to the continent the walk was started on. Paul Salopek and the team he was traveling with were stopped multiple times by the Turkish police because there were walking on foot with a mule. The police officers seemed to be entertained by the group because they thought they looked looked like Kurdish guerrillas, or armed group. In the panoramic view, I could see that the streets seemed clear of any people on foot, but there were a few cars driving by.