With a small backpack and big dreams, Uri Liron, a 26-year-old from Modi'in, has traveled to 59 countries over the past four years, becoming a full-time travel blogger who has no plans to stop. "I recommend to avoid over-planning," he told Ynet. "Don’t be afraid to take the big trip. Fulfill your dream now and don’t wait for tomorrow."
Liron set off on his journey after a challenging five-year service as a fighter in the Navy. When we spoke with him, he was in Hong Kong, resting after a month of fascinating travel in Tibet, and preparing for his next destination – South Korea. "The trip was a journey of self-discovery for me," he explained. "To find out who I am and what I want to do in life."
How do you fund such a journey?
"I saved a lot during my military service and invested the money wisely for a decent return. Since then, I've also worked in sales and waited tables to continue traveling cheaply. I don’t need much, and living abroad isn’t as expensive as people think."
Over the past year, Liron has become a full-time travel blogger, maintaining an Instagram page with over 38,000 followers. "The most exciting thing is receiving messages from people saying I've fulfilled their dream. It's not about the money you're supposed to earn in this field; it’s about my personal and positive impact," he said. "My passion is meeting people and gaining experiences. Luxury, hotels and good food are not for me."
One of the most formative experiences for the young nomad occurred during his extensive travels in Africa. "It was much more than a trip," he shared. "It was a powerful experience that became a university of life for me. I traveled for nearly a year, from Kenya to Cape Town, using only land transportation –mainly local buses. I saw some of the poorest people in the world, but also the happiest, and meeting them opened my eyes to a completely different life.
"In Africa, you learn that the things you’re used to thinking are important, like money, a high standard of living, or technology, are inconsequential compared to human connection and the simplicity of life. These people, despite living in dire poverty, knew how to make the most of every moment, and their happiness was infectious."
Sympathetic to Israel
During the trip, Liron heard about a rural community in northern Kenya, in the Nyahururu area, whose members admire the State of Israel. "I heard about a village where people pray for Israel and believe they are descendants of the Jewish people," he said. "I had to check it out myself. When I arrived, I was very impressed by the simple mud houses and the large building in the center of the village – a synagogue. They welcomed me warmly," he recalled. "They not only hosted me, but they also gave me a room to sleep in and offered me to prepare a speech. The next day they said the whole community would come to meet 'the Jew from the Holy Land.'"
The following morning was one of the most exciting moments in Liron’s life. "I woke up early in the morning, and through the window, I saw a sight I will never forget – 500 people standing below my room, waiting to see when I would wake up. I was in shock. I had never felt such honor and appreciation toward someone they didn’t really know, just because I am Jewish and come from Israel."
Filled with excitement and a great sense of responsibility, Liron went downstairs, stood in front of the hundreds of members of the Zionist African tribe, and gave a speech. He told them about himself, his life in Israel, and his military service as a fighter in the Navy. "They were moved to tears. I told them I am Jewish and that they also pray for Israel, and they just hugged me with such strength."
This experience was not just a cultural encounter for Liron; it became a profound moment of self-discovery and spiritual connection.
"Standing before an entire community that admires Israel, people who thought they were Jewish just because of the spiritual connection they felt to Israel – it was an unforgettable moment. It gave me an immense sense of power and a deep understanding of my identity as an Israeli and a Jew."
After the speech, the excitement in the village did not end. They invited Liron to stay for the weekend and celebrate Shabbat with them. On Shabbat itself, he was invited as an honored guest to a Jewish-Kenyan wedding. "It was crazy – they had a chuppah, broke a glass like we do, but I doubt anyone from the outside would recognize it as a Jewish wedding," he said with a smile. "For them, it was their tradition, and it was beautiful to see how they combine their culture with something they feel such a deep connection to."
Another significant experience occurred in the city of Cusco in southern Peru. After returning from a trek in the middle of the night, Liron encountered a couple selling fries on the street. "I ordered a portion and started talking to them. The woman was nine months pregnant and asked where I was from, and I said I was from Israel," he recounted. The conversation developed, and the excited couple, devout Christians, shared that they were looking for a name for their upcoming baby.
"They asked what my name was? I said 'Uri,' and explained to them in basic Spanish that it means 'my light' in Hebrew. They were very moved." Two weeks later, Liron received a surprising message: "They sent me a picture of the baby and wrote to me – meet Uri. It was an experience that made me realize I'm on the right path. Not many people can say a Peruvian child is named after them."
In a conversation with Ynet, Liron emphasized that absolute freedom is the greatest advantage of the nomadic life. "I do what feels right for me, whenever I want," he boasted. "If I miss friends and family at home – I simply go back. If not, I continue traveling and experiencing life."
At the end of the conversation, he shared some important tips for a successful backpacking trip: "I travel with a small 40-liter backpack, minimalist. For the first trip, I went out with a huge backpack, but I learned to live simply and efficiently, not to mention flights are much cheaper this way."
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