From Vanadzor, Armenia to Dubai on Foot: A 3,000+km Kindness Adventure Journey

Life doesn't always go according to plan. Only recently, I was living in Dubai, working and planning my future in one of the world's most modern cities. Today, I'm back in my hometown of Vanadzor, Armenia, preparing for something completely unexpected: a long distance walk spanning over 3,000 kilometers from Armenia back to Dubai.

This isn't just any walking journey. It's called RAKOSAT — Random Act of Kindness One Step At a Time.

The Journey That Started Before I Knew It

In many ways, this kindness journey began years before I mapped the route or chose the name RAKOSAT. It started as a quiet discomfort—the sense that something essential was missing, not just in the world, but in me.

Like many people, I spent years trapped in the routine of modern life. Ticking boxes, doing things the "right" way, yet always feeling disconnected. From people. From purpose. From myself. Then something shifted. Not all at once, but slowly. A realization emerged: what if meaning doesn't come from chasing more, but from giving more?

That's when kindness became more than just a value. It became a way forward.

Why I'm Taking This Long Distance Walk

Coming back to Armenia wasn't part of my original plan. Personal circumstances brought me home, and at first, it felt like a setback. But walking the familiar streets of Vanadzor, breathing the crisp morning air, I realized this wasn't a detour—it was the perfect starting point.

If I'm going to walk thousands of kilometers promoting human connection and kindness, there's no better place to begin than where I grew up. There's something deeply symbolic about starting a journey of giving from the soil that raised you.

Standing under the skies of my hometown, I understood that this long distance walk would be more than physical movement. It would be a statement about choosing connection over convenience, presence over productivity.

The Route: Armenia to Iran to Dubai

My kindness journey will take me:

• South through Armenia to Meghri at the Iranian border, passing through landscapes that shaped my childhood
• Across Iran through cities like Tabriz, Isfahan, and Shiraz—places rich with culture and history
• By ferry across the Persian Gulf to reach Dubai, completing the circle back to where this chapter began

It's not exactly a typical travel route, especially with current geopolitical tensions. People ask if I'm crazy to attempt this long distance walk now. Maybe I am. But I believe that when the world gets darker, acts of kindness matter more.

The route itself tells a story—connecting the ancient with the modern, the familiar with the unknown, home with destination.

Walking: My Unexpected Compass

I didn't plan to become a long-distance walker. Honestly, I failed my driving test multiple times, and at some point I thought—maybe I'm not meant to drive. Maybe I'm meant to walk.

It started as a joke. But now? It feels like destiny.

Walking is slow. It's inconvenient. It forces you to pay attention—to every crack in the road, every breeze, every look from a stranger. It's a rebellion against the noise of modern life. And it's profoundly human.

When I walk, something opens inside me. I'm not rushing. I'm not escaping. I'm arriving—again and again—into the present moment.

There's a kind of wisdom that only reveals itself at 5 kilometers an hour. And that's the pace I want to live at now. This long distance walk isn't just about covering ground; it's about uncovering meaning.

What Makes This More Than Just a Walk

RAKOSAT represents a simple philosophy: small acts of kindness can create significant impact. The word "random" isn't accidental—I'm not planning grand gestures or orchestrated charitable events.

I just want to stay open. So that as I walk, if I see a chance to help, I do. If I see someone who needs something I can offer—a soccer ball, a helping hand, a conversation, a moment—I'll give it.

During this kindness journey, I won't be rushing to hit distance milestones. Instead, I'll walk slowly and intentionally, creating space for real human connections.These moments will be the heart of my journey.

The beauty is, we all have this power. Every single day. Holding a door for someone. Offering full attention in conversation. Smiling, even when you're tired. Saying someone's name—and remembering it.

Kindness doesn't require perfection. Just presence.

The Science Behind Acts of Kindness

We hear a lot about kindness as a virtue—something noble, good, even cute. But neuroscience and psychology tell a deeper story: kindness is medicine. It literally changes the chemical structure of your brain and body.

Acts of kindness—big or small—release dopamine (the reward chemical), oxytoxin (the connection hormone), and serotonin (the mood stabilizer). They activate the parasympathetic nervous system, calming stress, slowing your heartbeat, and bringing you back into balance.

No prescription. No side effects. Just a simple shift: Give more. Connect more. Feel more.

This long distance walk is as much about internal transformation as external movement. Every act of kindness along the way will be changing not just the recipient, but me as well.

Walking Through Uncertainty

Yes, there are risks with this route. Current tensions between Iran and regional neighbors make headlines daily. I'll take precautions and stay informed, but fear alone can't dictate how we live. People in these regions face these uncertainties every day without the option to leave.

By walking through areas many would avoid, I hope to challenge stereotypes and show that most people respond with kindness when approached with openness and respect. In a world so divided, so noisy, so rushed—kindness is a radical act.

This isn't naivety; it's a conscious choice to lead with trust rather than suspicion. The kindness journey requires believing in people's fundamental goodness, even—especially—when the news suggests otherwise.

Goals for the RAKOSAT Journey

Inspire Acts of Kindness

I want others to be moved to do something kind in their own communities, no matter how small. You don't need to walk across countries to make a difference.

Support Good Causes

I'll raise funds for organizations like Friends of Armenia that create real impact in communities that need it most.

Document Human Connection

Through raw, unfiltered stories, I'll share encounters that highlight our shared humanity across borders and cultures. These stories will counter the fear-based narratives that dominate media.

Challenge Fear-Based Narratives

By completing this long distance walk through challenging regions, I aim to show that connection is possible even in divided times.

Create a New Kind of Footprint

I want to leave behind kindness, not carbon. Connection, not consumption. Meaning, not just motion.

 Funding This Kindness Journey

I'm starting this walk with my savings and no corporate sponsors. I've launched a small online store selling art and message-driven merchandise, and I accept donations  through my website. Every purchase and donation helps me continue walking—and giving.

But even without financial support, I'll keep going. This project was never about money; it's about meaning. It's about proving that ordinary people can choose extraordinary kindness.

 More Than a Personal Journey

This long distance walk is a statement. In a time of algorithms and hustle culture, slowing down is rebellion. In a society obsessed with doing more, I choose to feel more.

If you're reading this, maybe you've felt disconnected too. Maybe you're stuck in a routine that doesn't feel like yours. Maybe you crave adventure but don't know how to start. Maybe you believe in kindness but wonder if it's enough anymore.

Let me tell you: it is.

You don't need to walk across countries to make a difference. But if you've read this far, something in you is stirring. Follow that. Whether it's helping a neighbor, petting a stray dog, or finally doing the thing you said you'd do years ago—do it with kindness.

Start small. Stay real. Keep walking. One step at a time.

Join the RAKOSAT Movement

You don't need to walk 3,000 kilometers to make a difference. The RAKOSAT philosophy is about finding opportunities for acts of kindness in your daily life. Whether it's helping a neighbor, volunteering locally, or simply treating strangers with respect, every small action contributes to a kinder world.

As I take my first steps from Vanadzor, I'm filled with both fear and purpose. I believe people are fundamentally good, and when you approach them with genuine kindness, most will respond in kind.

The world needs more people choosing action over criticism, kindness over indifference, presence over productivity.

Follow the Journey

Want to support this long distance walk and kindness journey?

• Donate to support RAKOSAT and keep the mission moving
• Shop for mission-inspired merchandise that spreads the message
• Follow on Instagram and TikTok for daily updates and real-time stories
• Subscribe on YouTube for in-depth video documentation
• Join the newsletter for deeper reflections and behind-the-scenes moments

Even in uncertain times, we can choose to walk toward kindness. Join me, one step at a time.