“How come you’re member of
the same club as astronaut Chris Hadfield, are you an astronaut?” That’s the question I received from someone
in Holland. No, I am not an astronaut. Although all of us are space travellers! There
is a nonprofit organization, the International Circumnavigators Club, with
headquarters in New York. It was founded in 1902 by three people who’d
circumnavigated the globe by ship. They
were the founders of this Club which has had through the years some illustrious
members. Buffalo Bill Cody, Houdini,
John Philip Sousa, Sir Edmund Hilary, Thor Heyerdahl, Captain Jacques Cousteau, Picard, the baloonist,
and many more.
One of the qualifications for membership is to have circumnavigated the world, crossing all meridians longitude in one direction. The early members had travelled by boat or ship. Air travel changed all that. Then when the space age began, several
astronauts also became eligible and Honorary Members.
Eleven years ago, I proposed astronaut Chris Hadfield for an Honorary
Membership. This was accepted unanimously by the Board. Hence, Chris and I belong to the same Club.
I hope this answers your
question. The Club’s constitution
stipulates only 1,000 individuals can ever become members at any given
time. Thus it signals the restrictions
and requirements of membership. How I
became a member in 1975 is another story. Maybe
in the near future, we could elaborate on this some more. Here is the link to the Club’s website.
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