“Trendsetter mom” Jia Jiehong travels by seaplane in Brazil.
Unable to speak a foreign language yet traveling the world solo—something even young people hesitate to do—this happened to 60-something trendsetter mom Jia Jiehong. Over the four years since 2010, she has traveled solo to eight countries. Friends who read her travel notes give her thumbs up but still find it unbelievable.
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Bonding with a Brazilian youngster
Jia Jiehong, now 60, lives in Xudong and is a retired doctor. She has a harmonious family of three.
In 2008, Marcelo, a Brazilian student studying at Wuhan University, wished to spend the Chinese New Year with a local family. After a call for hosts was issued locally, Jia Jiehong, a warm-hearted reader from Xudong, immediately signed up. In the end, she successfully paired up with the Brazilian youngster Marcelo.
After the New Year’s Eve dinner, Marcelo and the Jia family hit it off more and more, becoming like family. Marcelo ended up staying with them for five years. The Jia family treated Marcelo like one of their own. Their care left a deep impression on the Brazilian youngster. When Marcelo went back to Brazil during summer vacation, his family specially invited Jia Jiehong and her family to visit Brazil.
Bringing a translator device
Returning solo from Brazil to China
In July 2010, unable to turn down the warm invitation, Jia Jiehong followed Marcelo to São Paulo, Brazil. Upon arriving at Marcelo’s home, the whole family warmly hosted her, making her feel the hospitality of the Brazilian people. Two months later, when it was time for Jia Jiehong to return to Wuhan after her vacation, Marcelo had to stay in Brazil due to some issues. Jia Jiehong made a bold decision: to return to China alone. Marcelo then gave her his translator device and personally saw her off at the airport.
Throughout the journey, Jia Jiehong communicated with foreigners using the translator device. From São Paulo to Amsterdam, then to Hong Kong, she smoothly returned to Wuhan in three days.
In Amsterdam, Netherlands, she walked into a restaurant without bringing her translator device. No matter how she gestured, the waiters couldn’t understand what she meant. Finally, the waiter took out paper and pen and started drawing. When he drew a fish, she nodded and said “YES,” then ordered a bottle of cola that everyone could understand, which helped break the ice.
No foreign language skills
Traveling to 8 countries using translation apps
With this experience under her belt, she never travels abroad without her translator device anymore, and now she also has translation apps installed on her phone. Nowadays, she travels abroad every year. When friends and family can’t accompany her, she books flights online herself and goes solo. Over the past four years, she has visited eight countries including Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands, France, Indonesia, Belgium, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.
During her travels, Jia Jiehong has made many foreign friends, with whom she stays in touch to this day. When chatting with them, she uses translation apps.
Jia Jiehong said that next year she plans to go on an Antarctic adventure with her son.
Jia Jiehong’s son Fan Weiming said that his mother has worked hard all her life and deserves to enjoy herself and live vibrantly.