Relying on the kindness of strangers is certainly an interesting way to live, although not one many would choose for themselves. For adventure lover and former ‘Survivor’ winner, Parvati Shallow – this was not only a choice but a dream.
‘I love travelling and have always felt a deep desire to travel the world,’ said the pretty young American, who made her way through Namibia last week.Shallow is the subject of a web series titled ‘Around the World for Free’ and which features her travelling around the world over a period of 100 days, with absolutely no funds of her own.The cheerful Shallow can certainly thank her good luck on some good genes, as I am sure most will agree, freebies don’t really come easy for ugly ducklings. She has had to rely on her charm to elicit the help of natives in countries across the world to provide her with food, transportation, a place to sleep etc.She started her journey in Los Angeles, where she is based, by appearing on the CBS talk show, ‘The Talk’. From there, Parvati (named after a Hindu goddess) headed for the southern states of the US. From there, the active brunette headed to Haiti where she took part in a food drop and worked in a local orphanage for a week.Her journey is partly planned by viewers who reach out to Shallow via the CBS website. ‘There is an online poll which determines where I will go next, while I also have some say in the places I choose to visit,’ she explained.Each week, live web episodes are screened to viewers across the world.Having already participated in three seasons of ‘Survivor’, one of which she won US$1 million in prize money, Parvati was a fan of ‘Around the World for Free’ since its inception. Now in its third season, it follows Parvati around as she tests the goodwill of strangers around the world.She headed to the Dominican Rebublic and Barbados next.’Barbados was really awesome and not a bad choice at all,’ she said.From there, Parvati worked as an air hostess, earning her flight to Guyana and then Brazil and Argentina, before flying to Johannesburg and then Namibia where she got the chance to meet some traditional Himba women and sandboard down the dunes at the coast.’I am absolutely in love with Namibia,’ she said.Adding as an aside that she completely understands why Brad and Angelina chose to have their daughter, Shiloh here.’I am very impressed with the natural beauty of the place – it is really beyond compare.’Namibia will always hold a special place in her heart, said Parvati, although for less heart warming reasons. Thepetite yoga-lover broke her wrist, while quad biking at the coast.’This is my first ever cast and broken bone, so Namibia will always stay in my memory,’ she said.She landed in Namibia at the beginning of September and was immediately taken to the tranquil grounds of Harmony Seminar Centre, on the outskirts of Windhoek.She then flew to the north of Namibia in a Cesna. ‘The pilot flew over the dunes and mountains. We were able to see hundreds of seals, elephants, wildebeest and kudu,’ she said excitedly.She spent the night in Opuwo, where she visited with the Himba.’I absolutely love the unbelievable silence here, especially coming from LA where there is constant noise. It feels like such a gift to have such moments, so peaceful, so still.’Parvati also experienced the sheer wonder of Namibia’s big cats when she visited Amani Lodge which plays host to wild leopards and cheetahs.Her worst experience on the journey so far, was having to spend the night freezing in a bus station in Argentina. ‘Rio was so magical, so crossing the borderinto freezing Argentina was already an adjustment but when I couldn’t find anywhere to spend the night, it just got worse.’However Parvati remains grateful for the opportunity to travel the world and experience different cultures, which she says have expanded her perspective and made her a better person.She has about 20 days of her journey left and advises people around the world to experience the benefits of travelling.’A lot of people are afraid to travel but I have been blown away by the kindness and hospitality of people I’ve met on my travels, both rich and poor. ‘The human spirit is alive and well, despite what the news says. When things get tough, the only way out is through and then it just gets better and better and better.’Parvati headed to Botswana earlier this week, from where she hopes to make her way to Kenya via Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. She then hopes to hit Australia before heading back to LA for the conclusion of the 100 day adventure.To follow Parvati’s travels, go to www.cbs. com/world and click on WATCH NOW.
