Adventure-Seeking Traveler Leaves Home with $80, Hitch-Hikes around the World

Rad with the man who claims to be Taliban

Timotei Rad, from Romania, set off to Mongolia armed with just his rucksack, a sleeping bag, and $80 in cash. Incredibly Rad managed to travel through most of Europe as well as parts of South America, Asia, and the US by catching lifts from strangers. He only caught two flights in three years' worth of trips.

Rad disguised as a local in Afghanistan

Rad claims he had had a lot of adventurous moments with strangers during his hitch-hikes. He said he came face to face with a member of the Taliban in Afghanistan and, not only lived to tell the tale, but also posed for a selfie with him - while holding his gun. Stopping the vehicle, the driver climbed out and whistled - and an armed fighter emerged from the forest carrying a machine gun.

Rad mimicked Christ the Redeemer in Rio.

Although his appearance suggested he was a member of the Afghan Local Police, Rad claimed he was a member of the Taliban.

In certain parts of Afghanistan, Rad claims he was forced to wear a disguise in the car, to make him look like a local.

Rad in the Amazon

‘I was excited and happy to be having such a crazy photo but I didn't know if the gun was loaded.

‘I took the AK47 carefully, and tried not to get close to the trigger.

‘While walking towards him I thought and expected that he may kill me but he wasn't mean, he was like a father. He was a warmhearted man.

‘We then took a photo together and I was very relaxed around him,’ sad Red in an interview with Mail Online. 

Rad had a tattoo of the world created on his upper back after getting home.