Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe VERONA, Italy, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- An Italian man who lost his sight in a 2009 parachute accident said he plans to backpack solo through Russia in March. Alessandro Bordini, 28, who delivered a "TED talk" Tuesday in Verona, Italy, posted on Facebook that he is planning to depart for Russia in March to backpack solo through the country, ANSA reported Tuesday. Advertisement TED -- Technology, Entertainment, Design -- is a series of conferences owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation. "The secret is to believe in oneself and in others," Bordini said during his talk. "Smiling always helps. Optimism can help us get through any situation in life." Bordini has previously backpacked through Eastern Europe, Asia and Oceania. "Everywhere I went, people were willing to help. If I made it this far, it's because I ran across good people everywhere," he said.
