Surviving the Rwandan Genocide and Traveling to 80 Countries and all 7 Continents as a Photographer and Storyteller with Jupiter Kayonga (Ep 241)

Hear what returning to Rwanda after more than 20 years revealed about healing, identity, travel & the meaning of home. ============================ Get the Monday Minute my weekly email with 3 personal recs for travel, culture, and living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds. ============================ ON THIS EPISODE Jupiter Kayonga takes us on his journey growing up in Rwanda, meeting foreigners who came from other countries to take his father’s tours, and falling in love with photography as a kid.  He then talks about losing his father in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, fleeing the country at 9 years old, and living as a refugee in multiple countries.  Jupiter then shares his experience moving to Dubai and traveling the world as a flight attendant, re-conecting with photography and story-telling, and eventually moving to India.  He reflects on the power of India and his experience attending some of the world’s largest religious and cultural festivals there. Jupiter then shares his experience in Cuba, and how enamored he was with the culture, the hospitality and the kindness of the people.  He then shares stories from his journey to Argentina, Chile and his epic voyage to Antarctica.  Next, Jupiter opens up about his emotional decision to return to Rwanda more than 20 years after he left, and shares what he found when he went back, and how it impacted him.  Finally, Jupiter reflects on what the concept of “home” means to him today, the impact of travel and tourism on the places we go, and how travel has shaped him as a person.  → Full show notes with direct links to everything discussed are available here. ============================ FIND YOUR NEXT EPISODE Explore The Maverick Show Starter Packs — some of my favorite conversations curated by theme so you can easily find the episodes that match your interests. ============================ FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU See my Top 10 Travel Apps See my Top 10 Books that Shaped the Way I Travel See my 7 Keys For Building A Remote Business (Even in a space that’s not traditionally virtual) Watch my Video Training on Stylish Minimalist Packing so you can join #TeamCarryOn See the Travel Gear I Use and Recommend See How I Produce The Maverick Show Podcast (The equipment, services & vendors I use) ============================ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Maverick Show on Instagram and DM Matt to continue the conversation Please leave a rating and review — it really helps the show and I read each one personally Support the show by buying me a coffee — espressos help me produce significantly better podcast episodes!