Why is North Korea a country inside the hell? or maybe a Warrior's journey no censor

Pająk recounts that a gun was drawn on him twice in Brazilian favelas. The second time, after already having visited Afghanistan and Yemen, the sight of a pistol was "normal" to him -- he even thought that everyone there carries a gun. Still, he reacted calmly, put down the camera and complied. He compares it to behavior around an aggressive dog: nervous movements can trigger an attack, while staying calm offers a chance to escape unharmed. In his opinion, tourists often panic, which leads to escalation.

Pająk repeatedly encountered situations where children begged for someone else, and in Zanzibar he saw villages where "white people" periodically arrive and throw money around, making the locals dependent on that kind of help. He believes that institutional help (e.g., building a community center or an orphanage) is more lasting and does not corrupt social mechanisms. In Poland, he also meets adult beggars -- he is sometimes surprised that they can refuse purchased food because they want money for alcohol. The key is sensitivity: in Ethiopia or Syria, where he sees extreme malnutrition, he helps directly, but wisely.

Pająk describes in detail his expedition to Island Peak: after two weeks of trekking to the base, he acclimatized by descending and returning to 5000 m. During the summit push, above 6000 m he felt his muscles had no strength -- he had to take 5 steps and 20 breaths, sometimes kneeling. After reaching the summit, the euphoria was enormous, but the descent proved even more difficult -- he walked like a "ghost" and fell asleep without undressing in the tent. In planning Aconcagua, he aims for a long stay and gradual ascents.

Pająk emphasizes that when he went to Russia, he set his mind exclusively on travel content -- he visited St. Petersburg and Siberia, and rode the Trans-Siberian Railway. He consciously avoided politics because earlier fellow travelers warned him it is better to stick to neutral topics. He himself experienced no hostility -- quite the opposite: people were very kind, and Russian hospitality surprised him. Still, he stuck to the rule, which allowed him to film freely and avoid unnecessary problems.

Pająk emphasizes that the key is an open mind and not letting yourself be fooled -- if someone looks for trouble, they will find it, but in most cases, being assertive is enough. His own experiences with Kilimanjaro, safaris, and hikes across various countries convinced him that Africa is an incredibly diverse continent where you can find both hospitality and harsh realities. He also notes that his physical build (strong frame) sometimes helps in negotiations, but he emphasizes that communication style matters most. Despite his enthusiasm, he does not hide his shock at rituals such as female circumcision or the flogging of women in Ethiopia -- he considers them cruel but accepts they are deeply rooted in the culture and cannot be changed as a tourist.

The decision to postpone parenthood is well thought out: Pająk is afraid that if he became a father now, he would not finish his project and would be unhappy, which would affect the relationship. His partner understands this and does not block his trips -- in fact, she says, "Come home." The couple plans to settle permanently in Thailand, where he runs a business, and raise a child together with a dog. Pająk emphasizes that his current travels (9 months away from home per year, including 6-week solo trips) are acceptable only because he has a clear deadline for this stage of life.

Pająk deliberately avoids collecting money from viewers because he believes that once you have achieved financial stability, it would be dishonest. Instead, he focuses on cooperation with big companies and his own businesses (real estate agency, camps in Thailand). He admits he faces criticism as "the most commercial traveler," but responds: "in a year I'll buy another flat -- I can be commercial." In his opinion, hiding ambitions is worse than openly pursuing a goal.

Pająk describes the trip in detail: from the moment they crossed the border, an agent accompanied them, they could not stray, every exit from the hotel was controlled, and two women with 1990s-style video cameras filmed them all the time allegedly as a souvenir. Despite his initial desire to keep an open mind, the sight of empty streets that suddenly filled with people, fully stocked pharmacies, and flower shops with artificial flowers made it impossible for him to stay silent. Now he believes that the embassy in Poland reviewed his videos and he got banned, although he does not plan to return anyway.