At 89, Pickering resident Joyce Perrin has filled her apartment with reminders of a life spent exploring the world — and she is still planning her next adventure.
The longtime traveller has visited 187 countries and territories across all seven continents, climbed mountains, crossed deserts, encountered wildlife and lived alongside families in communities far from the traditional tourist trail.
Now Joyce Perrin Pickering residents may know as an author and TEDx speaker is preparing to bring that remarkable life story to another audience through a documentary project.
A fascination with the world began early
Perrin’s curiosity about other countries began while growing up in Edmonton.
As a child, she became fascinated by the “Lands and Peoples” book series and the cultures it introduced to her.
Her career eventually took her into hospital administration, while family moves brought opportunities to live in places including Chicago, New Orleans and Papua New Guinea.
But it was at age 57, after her children were grown and she was divorced, that Perrin decided to seriously pursue the dream she had carried since childhood.
A hospital job in Saudi Arabia became an important starting point for decades of international travel.
Adventure meant more than sightseeing
Perrin did not approach travel simply as a vacation.
She wanted to experience local culture, meet people and explore destinations in ways that took her beyond traditional tourist attractions.
Her adventures included climbing Mount Kilimanjaro at age 64 and later Mount Aconcagua, whitewater rafting in Chile, travelling by camel in the Arabian Desert and encountering sharks, gorillas, whales and emperor penguins.
Antarctica became particularly memorable.
Perrin has described visiting its dry valleys, where the extreme environment has preserved seal remains for centuries.
But many of her strongest memories involve ordinary conversations and time spent with local families.
While staying with a family in Zimbabwe, for example, she participated in daily household work and later reflected on how differences in culture led to a meaningful exchange about expectations for women.
Travels became a book
Perrin eventually documented many of her experiences in her memoir, Ants in My Pants: One Woman’s Unexpected Adventures Across Seven Continents.
Published in 2023, the book recounts her travels, cultural encounters and experiences in health-care settings around the world.
Her story has since taken her onto stages as well.
Earlier this year, Perrin appeared at TEDxOshawa, where she spoke about the power of saying “hello” and how a simple greeting can create connections between people from dramatically different backgrounds.
She has also continued meeting readers through book signings and speaking engagements around Durham.
Another journey awaits near age 90
Perrin turns 90 in November, but slowing down does not appear to mean stopping.
Her life is now becoming the focus of a feature-length documentary project currently being developed around her travels and philosophy of continuing to pursue new experiences regardless of age.
The project, Northbound at 90, is expected to follow Perrin as she attempts another destination that has remained on her list: the Northwest Passage.
The documentary is currently seeking financial support.
For Perrin, the latest journey continues a philosophy that has guided decades of travel — take opportunities when they arrive, remain curious and make connections wherever possible.
After 187 countries and territories, a book and decades of memories, the Joyce Perrin Pickering story is still being written.
