Benka Pulko, a world traveller creating both in Slovenia and the US. A woman not seeking publicity, but that media always find – especially with her activities such as writing books, motivational speech, charity or journalism. Her advice for everybody is – start travelling today, or at least buy an airplane ticket tomorrow.
What do Slovenians and people around the world know you for? What is it, that raises your recognisability?
People remember me for being different, honest, that I see things through, don’t give in, believe in myself, am stubborn and fearless when it comes to work. Mostly they also know of my bike and my books. I don’t know why I’m more recognisable then others. I never pondered on that fantastic statement.
Your single journey with a motorbike on all seven continents between the years of 1997 and 2002 got published in the Guinness book of records in 2005 and 2006. Do you plan any other such records?
My four records (or better said two records and two achievements that cannot be bested or surpassed) were confirmed in April 2003. From then they keep appearing in the most read book in the world that is published in 100 countries and 100 million copies. Which records are published is up to the local editors and publishers, who are responsible for the book in that country. To I have to ask them, why don’t they pay more attention to local records, as that would help the self-esteem and image a small nation like Slovenia. It would show where in the world we stand. I talk about the still standing Slovenian records, like mine, which were set over 10 years ago.
I have to say that people from around the globe keep pointing my name in various editions and sometimes even send me the book. In the states I usually run into books where it says – under the epic journeys – Benka Pulko, Ptuj, Slovenija. It’s always interesting and fun – especially the reactions of the people ;)
I don’t plan new records and don’t think about them, but I am open to suggestions. I’ve said I wouldn’t before I set my first one already …
What’s your opinion about being placed in the prestigious book of records?
As a writer I consider works of authors such as Mark Twain, Dostoyevsky, Murasaki and others as prestigious. Not a book like the Guinness book of records. Still it is a collection of great achievements and a perfectly fun book, so it’s really nice to be featured in it. If nothing else, it makes it easy to make friends with children and youth.
Which is your feat that you’re most proud of yourself?
None especially. I’m more proud at the fact I’m still kicking and creating and running around. I’m getting a bit fed up with it, as laziness settles in with time even if you’re active, but for now I’m keeping on the move.
You’re living in the US at the moment. What do you do there?
I’m trying every day to be the best possible me :) My life isn’t changing much. Even in the states my work is similar and usually connected to the international space: writing, lecturing, editing, taking photos, working on projects, etc. I never feel like I live somewhere, I’m always on the move in the travelling mode with my suitcase, backpack and bike at the standby and the beauty bag that hasn’t been emptied for 20 years.
Do you plan on returning to your native Ptuj and help activate the local scene?
I never really left Ptuj. My permanent residence is still there, where I set my strongest root. Ptuj is my only home. A home is the feeling of the heart, not a geographical location. And my creation in the local community and broader Slovenian frame is more active and noticeable than that of the most Slovenians, who are always home. Ask the parliamentarians, mayors, organisers of events for children or literature, initiators, CEOs and many more… Believe in yourself and others. Nobody is safe from me.
You’re torn between Slovenia and USA. Which are other parts of the world, where you like to go?
I’m not torn between anything. I live a life large enough for several places, which Slovenia (being too small) can’t offer. If I get around a lot – and lately I really do stop over at the States too much, but that’s where my husband’s from, so it’s necessary evil – it doesn’t mean that Slovenia has any less of me, because I’m not physically here. Actually there’s enough of me everywhere (if not too much) – he-he.
There’s too many favourite places to list them. Simply said, they’re dispersed on all continents and thus I keep visiting them regularly and always. The ones I neglect most are the north and south pole, but I hope to amend that soon.
Lately I prefer hanging out in quiet places, with more animals than people. Where they know hoe to make good wine and where I can cook. Instead of seas I started going to mountains. I prefer exchanging the broad lens with the macro lens. When you realise the scale of life the details become interesting, especially those that make the journey from birth to death worth a while.
What are your guiding experiences? Where would you take an American who comes to Slovenian and is here for the first time?
I’m a tourist guide for 30 years and in the past century already, I’ve been dragging tourists around Ptuj. I’m inviting friends and show them places where I am at for all my life – it’s just the way it goes. People from Iraq visit me at Ptuj, from New Zealand visit me in America, Japanese in Ljubljana… and I’ve taken Americans through Croatia last month. There’s no end to the travelling merry-go-round. I always show my favourite places, which don’t have to be attractions. Mostly they’re the places with best energy, shops with friendliest people and hills with best sunsets.
There’s an American I take with me all the time and knows Slovenia almost as well as I do, but for the rest I chose based upon their preferences. Mostly I don’t spare people of visits to the vine cellars, castles and education about how to hold a glass for a respectful toast. They’ve no idea about that and I hate it, so I have to do something about it.
You’re doing charity, journalism, photography, motivational speeches, write books, make movies, and more. Is this multitasking the necessity of our day or just the reflection of your ambition?
It’s just a practical manifestation of my curiosity :) But I spend less time on it than my campaigns against the Alzheimer disease, therapeutic dog trainings, studies of American Natives and the reading project Little Free Library.
There wasn’t much talk about you in Slovenia in the past few years. Is this the calm before the storm?
There’s always a storm within me and my dear husband would confirm. If they don’t talk or write about me, it just means I’m doing something in peace and not in the public eye, as so many want to be stars are doing, by polluting the media with information about their watches, hairdos, weddings and divorces… Working with media is the most effective waste of time. We spend hours and days upon it without getting payed or being otherwise compensated. It’s like you’re obliged to people, who find use known enough to have an interest in our lives. I’m happy when nobody is asking me anything and I can be more productive than just making up new answers to the same questions. There are many projects ahead of me and I hope I get additional 15 hours a day this Christmas, the ones I’ve been asking for in the past few years already. Life is too shorts for everything that interests me and for what I’d like to do. Maybe the tenth gear ca help me, as the sixth is too slow.
What would you write in a time capsule, how do you see yourself in 10 or 20 years?
Hopefully not in the grave yet.
What advice would you, as a globetrotter, give to Slovenians who proudly remain at home?
Get a move on! Today! Or at least buy an airplane ticket. At the latest tomorrow ;)
For more information and photos, or an order of
Benka’s book, working with the "Verjemi vase in osvoji svet" foundation, organisation of lectures and motivational hours visit:
www.BenkaPulko.com.
