Callum Mills has travelled to some of the most dangerous countries in the world – including Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Ukraine.
The 32-year-old has met drugs lords, the Taliban, stood on Saddam Hussein’s Palace and had dinner with gang members in Brazil.
He also saw a Banksy original wall mural in the West Bank in Palestine and visited Osama Bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
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Callum Mills in Afghanistan (Image: Callum Mills / SWNS)
He has even met Pablo Escobar’s brother Roberto Escobar while on a trip in Medellin, Colombia.
Callum is now planning his next trip – to North Korea.
But Callum says it is not the danger that fascinates him as all his trips are about connecting with different cultures and meeting new people.
He said: “It is hard for people to understand this – it does become an addiction, you seek adventure and that feeling of being on edge.
“Their representation is always negative – I wanted to go there and connect with people locally.
“I like to roam about and see what happens. I would always buy a one day flight. I like to get to the more obscure places that are not touristy.
“I’ve been asked this many times – about how I get to see some of the things that I do. I always say, ‘I just speak to people’.'”
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Callum Mills in Kashmir (Image: Callum Mills / SWNS)
Callum – also known as Callum Abroad on YouTube – was in his second year of nursing degree at the University of the West of Scotland when the coronavirus pandemic hit.
As his classes were being cancelled and he could not attend university he decided to check what flights were available from Scotland.
He headed out to Cairo in Egypt and never looked back as he never returned to university and continued to travel.
Bombs dropping in the Ukrainian cities of Kherson and Odesa is one such moment that sticks in Callum’s mind.
Callum Mills next to Pablo Escobar’s grave in Colombia. (Image: Callum Mills / SWNS)
“I could hear the bombs dropping off behind me when I got to Kherson. There was a time I had to take a second because I felt very emotional,” he said.
“A lot of people said they are prepared to die in Odesa. They don’t think the Russians will stop until they get Odesa – that was a common theme I was getting from people.
“I just wish the war would stop killing each other – the level of devastation is bad.”
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Callum Mills in Afghanistan. (Image: Callum Mills / SWNS)
Now Callum is “desperate” to go to North Korea but the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel there.
The country has been ruled by the Kim family since 1948 and has been widely condemned for human rights violations.
Callum said: “I am prepared for any backlash I get and I want to see it with my own eyes.
“Nobody in the West was allowed in for five years. I wanna see the capital. It’s a chance to speak to a North Korean – it would be great if I could do it.
“I understand that it will be a challenge and I can take that on board – I am aware of the hardships people in North Korea face.
“I know some people might think that it’s wrong to travel to North Korea however as someone who’s got a desire to travel and see the world, I would hope people can understand that.
“It’s like when a car has a bump on the motorway, people tend to slow down and look because they are curious.”
Callum Mills in Ukraine (Image: Callum Mills / SWNS)
According to the government, the level of tension on the Korean Peninsula remains high.
While daily life in the capital city, Pyongyang, may appear calm, the security situation in North Korea can change quickly with no advance warning about possible actions by the authorities.
This poses significant risks to British visitors and residents, as stated by the Foreign Office.
Information about his travels are at the YouTube at Callum Abroad, as well as on Twitter through his @CallumAbroad account.
This post was originally published on here
