Bitcoin runner goes around the world: 40 countries, 400 days, and only bitcoin in his pocket

A runner from India is taking a bull run quite literally. He has embarked on his mission to run across 40 countries in 400 days with only bitcoin in his pocket. Paco the Runner, also known as Paco de la India began his exciting adventure on September 17, 2021.

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A bitcoin standard

Paco is paying for his trip thanks to all bitcoiners from around the world. The ambitious runner wants to show that "bitcoin gives everyone freedom in the way they wish." Paco became inspired about bitcoin while reading "The Bitcoin Standard" by Saifedean Ammous.

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Ammous' bestseller and many discussions with friends led him down the proverbial rabbit hole. In his own words, Paco went from "a life based on the lie called the fiat standard" to a bitcoin standard.

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His adventures

Paco has now been on the road for 181 days and the athlete is almost at the halfway point of his adventure. He is currently on his way to Africa where he plans to visit Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, among others. So far, Paco has successfully lived under a bitcoin standard in all seven countries he has visited. He only uses cash for public transportation, with which it is still difficult to pay with bitcoin.

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Along the way, he has also had to overcome some obstacles that initially have nothing to do with bitcoin. For example, during his trek through Sri Lanka, Paco lost the keys to his hotel room, which the hotel owner was not happy about. However, the optimistic runner asked for a spare key, ran to a nearby village and managed to make a new key at a key maker's shop, which he was allowed to pay for with bitcoin.

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He has another great story about his run through Koh Samui in Thailand. An island known for its anti-bitcoin sentiment. At first, Paco was anxious about the 100 kilometers he had to travel there without money. However, it took 200 meters before he came across a sign that said they accepted bitcoin. "It was like the universe came together to help me," said Paco de la India.

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Simple it isn't, cool it is

It's not really easy for Paco to pay with bitcoin everywhere, but it's going better than expected. The runner shows that it is definitely possible to live under a bitcoin standard, although it takes a little more effort than a life with fiat money. Paco hopes his journey will especially inspire people to encourage others around them to take a look at bitcoin.

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"Give your neighbors, your favorite store, bar or movie theater the proverbial orange pill. It's easier for them to learn from a familiar face like yours. Be that little stone you throw into the lake that creates waves that benefit future generations," said the positivist about his motivation for the adventure.

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Paco will continue to run for at least the next nearly 220 days to spread the story of bitcoin around the world and make bitcoin payments.