Preface (continued): And One Day You Will Conquer the World — Dedicated to All Children of Kazakhstan
Contents of this chapter
- AND ONE DAY YOU'LL CONQUER THE WORLD.
- DEDICATED TO ALL CHILDREN OF KAZAKHSTAN
- It is important to know the history of your birth and the place where you were born.
- Sincerely love your native land, your people.
- Appreciate your family, your nearest and dearest
- Surround yourself with loyal friends
- Honor and dignity
- Resources are always there, help will come when you need it, the key is to act:
- Do what you love and grow relentlessly in what you do
- I turned my passion – into a mission.
AND ONE DAY YOU'LL CONQUER THE WORLD.
DEDICATED TO ALL CHILDREN OF KAZAKHSTAN
I am often invited to speak at schools and universities to tell the story of my journey around the world. And I always succeed in striking the imagination of high school students and in an instant light a fire in their eyes, open doors, cut through windows, let into their minds the space of many options for bold and courageous decisions, inspire those who believe in themselves and are ready to spread their wings for a high flight. We would like to unite in the young generation common values – patience and labor, peace and harmony, honor and nobility, pride for the Motherland and involvement in its great destiny.
No one knows how this book will turn out. Will it be interesting or will it be another dusty monument to former passions. No one knew what would happen to me after my start and all along the way. No one ever knows or can even imagine all the consequences of a step once taken. But one thing I do know is that everything I have under my belt today is the result of my past decisions.
No circumstances have nothing to do with so-called fate. Only faith, only perseverance, and if not to run so to crawl or at least to lie towards your goal.
I'VE TRAVELED 400,000 KILOMETERS. KM – THIS DISTANCE WOULD ALLOW ME TO REACH THE MOON, PLANT OUR KAZAKHSTANI FLAG AND DRIVE A COUPLE THOUSAND MORE ON ITS SURFACE.
"Decide and do it now" – idle phrases from motivational lecturers can devalue all the efforts and achievements of true masters of their craft overnight. "Nothing complicated, take it and do it, simplify, don't complicate and don't look back."
This is how one can allow oneself to think only behind a book, reading in a cozy armchair and being deceived by the illusion of the world available, as in the palm of one's hand…. But all the higher stages of achievement are open only for the most courageous, confident and persistent in their desires. Instead of eyes they have scanners, instead of hands – super-sensitive tentacles, able to sense the right direction at a distance. Following their calling, their souls seem to burst out of their bodies and rush hundreds of kilometers ahead to keep their conservative minds and faithful bodies from straying from the true path. Bright light floods the path, cutting through the impenetrable darkness, filling the air with a quiet whisper: "Forward, only forward!"
Above the entrance to Socrates' school was written: "Know thyself. Know yourself in order to dare to finally discover your talent, recognize it and use it to fulfill your purpose, to make it useful to others.
Today, the most powerful weapon is the limitless power of choice and the freedom that choice gives. For me, this freedom became the whole world, stitched through with automobile roads and the fates of people I once met. Each meeting, each contact with them added a new touch, new shades, gave a new sound to my own picture of the world, creating amazing abstractions and optical illusions.
When I started working on the book with the author, I was able to draw a line and formulate some results for myself. It seemed that all this time I existed in another, some crazy dimension, outside the system of standard life rules and values. I was carried along. It was not scary… Or rather, I was, but it didn't affect anything. I confidently continued my way, wheeling around the globe as if I were in the yard of my house.
My passion – motorcycle, speed and unity with the road, when around the world with each kilometer builds more and more new scenery, and you alone rushing somewhere beyond the horizon, leaving a translucent cloud of smoke and cast aside doubts.
On top of that, my boundless love for the Motherland, my loyalty to it and my inability to pass by and remain a mere observer of current events were added to the millstones of my explosive character. With all my molecules I have always strived to become a part of this history, to join the contradictory flow of public activity and to invest all my energy in the development of our country.
* * *
Throughout these years I have been closely following every address of the President, analyzing projects and searching myself for opportunities to be useful in all the initiatives of our government. I thought where I and our Geographical Society of Kazakhstan could contribute in the sphere of promoting the idea, projects of the Republic of Kazakhstan and forming a strong state brand in the international arena. At the first signal, we prepare projects, write plans, strategies, print souvenir products, organize expeditions to the most remote corners of our planet. And step by step the wheel of successful projects, real achievements and victories is spinning.
The game "What? Where? When?" – Peter, 2018.
So our expedition arrived in the Caribbean Islands and, as a result of our meetings with diplomats and heads of chambers of commerce of the American continent, we secured victory in the vote for the right to host ECHO-2017. Liberty Island Cuba, Bahamas, Panama, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, St. Kitts, Dominica, Haiti, Dominican Republic and many other countries voted for Kazakhstan.
Traveling through Asian countries allowed us to organize a PR campaign dedicated to the Asian Winter Games 2011 and invite sports committees to participate in international competitions. A record number of participants came to our start.
Challenges of time, large-scale state projects inspire to even greater feats, make us look for new solutions, resources, give birth to new ideas and fight for their realization.
It's amazing. Yes! I never cease to be amazed at the perfect and my future projects. Thank you and never cease to be amazed.
"Stay hungry. Stay reckless," the legendary Steve Jobs bequeathed us, leaving behind a revolutionary generation of gadgets.
Jeffrey Bezos: " People often ask the question, 'Why?' It's a good question, but just as important, "Why not?"""
Our world knows thousands of success stories, beautiful phrases and multi-volume books about it. So why not you? So why not you? Your dreams should consume you. You want amazing results tomorrow – make the same amazing, over-the-top effort today. The laws of conservation of energy apply everywhere. What you sow, you reap. Should we be surprised at the harvest?
To stop, stand still and hear your own bell announcing your "it's time, it's time, it's time to go". And here it is very important not to sink into the maze of your doubts, not to fall to the bottom of endless reflections, but to glide on the surface, as on the runway of once built fundamental truths.
In trying to decipher the secret code to success as a round-the-world biker, my second author and I unexpectedly discovered the meaning and impact of these truths, which reflected throughout my journey and became clearer after summarizing and writing this book.
It is important to know the history of your birth and the place where you were born.
I was born in the Krasnoyarsk region, in the mysterious places of nomadic Evenk tribes, in the epicenter of the mysterious anomaly of the Tunguska meteorite. I spent my entire childhood in the taiga among the wooden idols of the northern people, the keepers of the Tunguska secret, falling asleep to the stories of the men about what was or was not, and drinking in the air and energy of anomalous places.
Throughout my life, when I worked in a coal mine and got caught in a rubble pile, and while traveling around the world , I have felt a certain strength behind me, a firm belief in my roots and boundless confidence in a favorable outcome from any situation. I have seen many things: floods, and earthquakes, forgotten by all, imprisoned….
But my lighthouse always burned brightly and led me out into calmer waters to rest and continue my journey.
Do not forget your roots, do not detach yourself from the history of the places where you were born. Study the chronology of events, the fates of great people who were once born here, absorb the culture, take an interest in life and participate in the development of your country, and one day you will write your name in the history of these places.
Sincerely love your native land, your people.
"In the places where Your children will see the light, You will find the energy of the earth and take Your roots so deeply that You will always return again and again, overcoming the most difficult obstacles, no matter how far you are from home. The power of the earth will keep you safe…" – a shaman once told me when, as a small child running away from a bear, I was lost in the taiga.
As a frightened boy I didn't really understand what the mysterious traveler wanted to tell me, but his words echoed in my head much later, at the peak of trials and difficulties.
Gena Shatov is a philosopher, traveler and just a good person.
Taxa is a biker from Mongolia, we not only have the same hobbies but even numbers!
My homeland is multinational, proud and sovereign Kazakhstan. There were many offers and opportunities to move to any country on the world map, but I never decided to leave the place where my children "saw the light". Overcoming all imaginable and unthinkable obstacles, I returned home every time. The power of love for my native land erased all circumstances, smoothed out situations and kept my faithful son. In Kazakhstan, they call me "Jahangir" in Kazakh, which translates to "son of his people", who earned the title of "true patriot of his country" by the PR projects he realized.
Become part of your country's history, share the same fate, and you will find your place in the sun.
There is enough warmth and light for everyone who strives, tears beyond their limits. When Kazakhstan left the Soviet Union and gained independence, an era of prosperity came. We all realized that now we have the right to think and dream, to create something new, to live the full life we are capable of.
Everything is possible, our land is fertile for talents and creates favorable conditions for the development of young generation, bright personalities and profound experts in their activities. To declare again and again to the whole world ambitious projects and ideas, and with each new achievement to assert: "There is such a country – Kazakhstan! We are proud that we are Kazakhstanis!".
Appreciate your family, your nearest and dearest
What my wife has been through!!! Waiting months to hear from me, not knowing what's wrong with me. Husband's a world touring biker. You can only dream of such a thing!!!! (laughing, of course).
Wherever you are, dream traveler, home should be waiting for you…. You must be sure that at home – order. Only in this way…At home everything is in order – and in any dangerous situation you are cold-blooded and calculating, every action you take is right, you will get out anyway, there is no other choice. Your great goal is ahead, your wife and children are at home. Where can you go!!!?
I am grateful to my family for the sense of responsibility they have established in me, for their love, for believing in me, in my decisions and actions. My wife, Natalia, always helped and supported me, my sons were proud of their father. And even when Denis was gone, I did not stop, I always felt his firm hand on my shoulder and, having rushed to the American continent, dedicated my way to his memory. I simply had no right to stop.
Surround yourself with loyal friends
My friend Valikhan Koshumbayev once told me: "The children have grown up. Ivanovich, now you are free. Now is the best time to take your iron Tulpar around the world! You've been dreaming about it all your life."
"A friend in need won't leave you, won't ask for anything." True friends always know what's on your mind, what your dreams are, and where you are in the world right now. I smile.
You have to choose your environment carefully, avoid whiners to talk on the level of ideas, not excuses.
Thanks to cellular communication, my friends accompanied me all over the world, were with me in the most difficult moments, when it seemed that courage was at an end, I wanted to give up everything and leave the motorcycle somewhere on the side of the road and return home on a plane.
But all things pass, and to a friendly pat on the shoulder in text message mode, I continued on my way, filled with the deep respect and sincere love of my friends.
Honor and dignity
A hundred years ago, the word "honor" was worth more than life. People fought reckless duels and shot to death for it. Today, much has changed, but on the way to your goal, plunging into the ocean of high waves and great risks, you are obliged to observe the code of honor by default, despite the emotions, anger, sadness or mind-boggling happiness. Once exchanged for easy luck, you may be exposed to even greater dangers and will most likely not achieve what you want.
Maintain crystal clarity in your heart and thoughts, responsibility for your decisions and your actions, dignity, courage, respect for the world around you and justice.
Keep a strong example in front of your eyes that will inspire you in times of need as well.
* * *
During my travels, I often traveled to the deepest parts of the country and tried to find elders who were famous for their wisdom. Each such meeting opened up new knowledge, allowed me to understand and realize more deeply the significance of certain events, made me think and highlight the "main points", which were then built into the system of values and became fundamental principles of life.
Resources are always there, help will come when you need it, the key is to act:
"The winds are blowing all the time. And all we have to do is to set our sails properly." – Ramakrishna
Your dream will lead you along the path, on which the right and left are scattered those necessary resources, "gifts of fate". Take a step, spin your wheel… You are sure to meet the right person, be attentive and grateful, share with him with inspiration, infect him with your ideas. This is how strong teams for joint realization of ideas and projects are created, resources and opportunities are shared, and great begin to happen.
* * *
When I walk into someone's office in a biker suit and my trademark hat, it is very easy for the person to imagine my story of traveling around the world, because I am soaked in it, I radiate it, and even when we just talk about everyday things or the weather, my voice transmits energy and inspiration. The world around me is ready to share its energy, its power with me, the mechanisms of support and complicity are triggered. Dozens of times I found myself in a country without national currency, and thus without gasoline and food, I lost vital things, and the rooms of the only hotel in the area were occupied…I can list and list all these small troubles, ready to turn into big problems for me at one moment. But in the end, all the circumstances worked out in the right way, thanks to random "non-accidents" and the kindness and responsiveness of the people around me.
Do what you love and grow relentlessly in what you do
My dream of circumnavigating the globe was born as a child. I cherished it, reading adventure novels at a young age, saving up the right amount for my first motorcycle…. As I got older, I did everything I could with each passing year to one day get my BMW and give it a start around the world.
At first I saw it only as a fulfillment of my cherished wish. But it was only when the leadership of the city of Almaty offered me to continue my round-the-world trip, but already as an ambassador of the Asian Winter Games-2011 with state support, personal video operator and high diplomatic mission, that traveling went beyond my hobbies. It has now become my life's work.
I turned my passion – into a mission.
The eighth wonder of the world was traveling around the world, visiting countries that had never even heard of Kazakhstan. A huge motorcycle, a blue flag flying with a yellow sun and a soaring eagle. My image was always seen by people as a symbol of peace; somewhere deep in their subconscious they formed a credit of trust and a high degree of loyalty, if not love.
FROM 2011 TO 2012 D.I.PETRUKHIN LED THE 2ND STAGE OF THE ROUND-THE-WORLD VOYAGE ON THE YACHT "SHOKAN UALIKHANOV"
"Wow"-effect deeply impacted the audience, on emotion and shared respect, creating a unique environment of friendly relationships.
On behalf of the Geographical Society of Kazakhstan together with my ambitious team, I managed to develop and implement international promotion programs for such historic events as the Asian Games 2011, EXPO-2017, Universiade-2017, round-the-world trip on the yacht "Shokan Ualikhanov" within the framework of the unique unprecedented project "Terra Vita". Four times I took part in the Olympic Torch Relay Ceremony in 2008, 2011, 2017 and 2019. Three of them- on my motorcycle…
Our First President Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev personally presented me with the Order of Honor "Kurmet" and an even higher award – the Order "Dostyk" for fruitful work on preserving mutual harmony in society, merits in strengthening peace, friendship and cooperation between peoples. In response, I handed over my expedition motorcycle BMW K1200LT, on which I passed the whole round-the-world trip, to the Museum of the First President of Kazakhstan, as well as the state flag with autographs of the First President and sports ministers of the countries that took part in the Asian Games – 2011, a wall map with the route traveled and an archive of photos. What am I doing all this for? To make more schoolchildren, students proud and aware of the history of their country and reverently treat the traditions and universal values of our people.
And what about the children! With eyes wide open, they believe and expect the adult world to prove the here and now, in incredible contact with reality and a demonstration of the great possibilities that the future can open to them on the expanses of their native land.
I want to tell them: "Yes, it is possible!" To ride around the world on a motorcycle and plant the flag of Kazakhstan in Alaska in the USA, Cape Horn in Chile, Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, Tasmania Island in Australia, as well as on the equator in Ecuador, Kenya and Indonesia, Kamchatka in Russia, Honshu Island in Japan, Tenerife Island in Spain, Mayan pyramids in Mexico, Havana in Cuba and one hundred and forty more countries around the world.
Well done for making it to us. I admire your travels.
Have a good trip
To do what? To fulfill your childhood dream, to honestly look your sons in the eyes and try to pass on to them your experience and unshakable faith in yourself and every step you take, to know that behind you is a whole country, for the honor of which you will stand to the end, to look for new ways to glorify its name, and thus realize your own purpose in life.
Why did I do all this? What made me overcome hundreds of kilometers every day, year after year, again and again risking my life, my health, the tranquility of my nearest and dearest, swallowing dust, meeting dawns in the saddle, renouncing all the gifts of civilization?
It's a question I haven't found the answer to yet. But I do know that all I needed from this world was a road. And has led me ever onward.
Missionaries of the biker movement in Kazakhstan. Proud!
Egypt. The enormous pyramid of Cheops and the little biker.
