For all the incredible adventures his 35,000-kilometre cycling tour of 40 countries brought his way, Mark Quattrocchi (’08)’s lasting memory of his journey remains rooted in the many acts of “unexpected kindness” shown him.

“What my trip taught me is the world is a good place and people are kind,” reflects the Trent alumnus as he adds ‘published author’ to his already impressive resumé.

“I experienced acts of kindness from people throughout the world that typically resulted from me simply saying ‘Hello’ or someone saying ‘Hello’ to me.” 

The Cycle of Life: The Power of Saying Hello chronicles Mr. Quattrocchi’s 2014 to 2016 tour of five continents, from Sanya, China home to Rideau Ferry in eastern Ontario, fundraising in support of education in underprivileged communities.

New book highlights culture and inspiring others to find their dreams

While each chapter of his self-published book speaks to cultural highlights and those acts of kindness, it’s not simply an account of “what I was doing, where I was sleeping or what I was eating. It’s not just about me fixing tires all day. It’s more about inspiring others to find their own dreams.”

“At the end of each chapter, it steps out of the journey and shares the motivation for what I’m currently experiencing, exploring dreams and change and loss and those types of things. It’s connected to what I was feeling in that moment.”

Reflecting on his Trent experience – he completed his Bachelor of Education in 2012 and, prior, attained an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Ancient History – Mr. Quattrocchi says it “opened my horizons to the world of travel,” recalling how his participation in a course-related archaeology dig in Belize inspired him to “want to see more of the world.”

“Writing my book was an adventure in itself,” says Mr. Quattrocchi.

The Cycle of Life: The Power of Saying Hello is available now at Amazon.