Host of reality show talks to local students

EDINBURG - Leon Logothetis always keeps his word, especially when it's to someone who paid for his train ticket from Prague to Berlin.

As promised, Logothetis, host of the National Geographic Channel's reality show ``Amazing Adventures of a Nobody,'' spoke to a group of students from the University of Texas-Pan American Monday about his adventure traveling across Europe for his show.

The 31-year-old London native who now lives in Hollywood, Calif. met UTPA faculty and students last month while filming the third season of his reality show. The group from Edinburg was in Europe for a study-abroad program.

For the television series, Logothetis had to travel from Paris to Moscow by way of Spain, Italy and much of the rest of the continent on five Euros a day. He had to rely on the kindness of strangers for food, transportation and lodging. In today's exchange rate, five Euros equals $7.73 U.S. dollars.

Logothetis said he was having a ``mental breakdown'' because of complications associated with traveling for the show when he met Chelse (cq) Benham and her husband, Grant Benham, professors at the South Texas university. The Benhams offered to let him stay on a cot in their hotel room. And the students and other faculty traveling with them in Europe pitched in to pay for his train ticket.

The television show host promised to repay them by visiting the university and sharing his tales.

Like how he met a man in Munich who was a nudist and took him to a nudist colony. Or how he was attacked by a ``psychotic'' ferret at a woman's home where he slept one night.

``When I look back at these things I think, `What was I doing,''' Logothetis said.

But those are experiences he will have forever, and no one can take that away from him.

``That's why travel for me is so exciting,'' he said.

Logothetis said he learned how to be more self-reliant and grateful for what he has at home. He also learned that fear has great power over people, but that in all people are generous and kind.

He came up with the idea to travel and rely on other people after watching the movie The Motorcycle Diaries, based on the memoir of Che Guevara.

``The reason I did this was to communicate and connect with people,'' Logothetis said.

Traveling through Europe was challenging because few people spoke English. Many times Logothetis had to rely on American tourists and others who spoke his language.

``In Europe, I wanted to give up,'' he said.

But he decided to stick with it because he knew he would gain from his experiences.

He told the college students to never give up, no matter how difficult the situation may be.

Students said they liked hearing how the experience changed the TV show host's life and how he found good people along the way to help him.

``It shows just when you think everybody's cruel there are real generous people out there,'' said Melissa Morgan, a 22-year-old senior who is majoring in English.

Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.