TORONTO — Michael Palin became a big part of pop culture as part of the Monty Python comedy troupe, starring in the TV series Monty Python’s Flying Circus as well as movies like The Meaning of Life and Life of Brian.
And then came something completely different.
Palin became the globe-trotting host of travel TV shows like Around the World in 80 Days and author of eight travel-related books — including last year’s Brazil.
“I did it because I actually enjoy travel,” Palin said Thursday during an appearance on Global’s The Morning Show. “I’m not being an expert on politics or sociology or anything like that. I’m trying to get people around the world to talk for themselves and tell me their story.”
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Palin, 70, will accept the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s Gold Medal on Thursday in Toronto.
On Wednesday he stopped in Ottawa to share travel stories with students at Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School.
Palin said he loves visiting different countries and sharing his experiences.
“People are so friendly and on the whole really welcoming,” he explained, “and they want to make you feel comfortable. And they’re proud of their country.”
Palin ranks Peru as one of his favourite destinations and said he would like to visit countries in the Middle East.
“I bet there is a lot of humour,” he said of war-torn places like Iran and Iraq. “In times of stress people look for humour. It gets them through it, so you’d probably find in these places they’d be quite glad to see you.”
Palin famously appeared in such classic Monty Python sketches as The Lumberjack Song and The Fish-Slapping Dance — a style of comedy he described as “silly.”
“There is a lot of comedy now which is very cutting edge and great but it’s kind of attacking. Python has always been kind of a joyful show,” he said. “People are a little more self-conscious now about just going off and doing something completely off the wall.”
Palin is content to focus on exploring the world.
“I’m lucky,” he said. “I’ve done many things I’ve enjoyed in my lifetime. You just have to make sure you do them well.”
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