Happy Birthday Paddington Bear!

Everyone’s favorite childhood bear is turning the big 5-0! Paddington Bear is an international icon and a character that we can all identify with from our childhood whether you are from the Baby Boomer Generation or you are today’s Millennium child.

In 1958 Paddington began his journey from Darkest Peru and into our imaginations when he arrived in London, England where the Brown family found him at the train station (of which Paddington bears its name) behind luggage and cargo.

Paddington’s real name is Pastuso and he was sent as a stow away on a ship when his Aunt Lucy went to live in a retirement home in Lima.

Fortunately for Paddington, Aunt Lucy taught him English so he would be prepared for his journey abroad.

Two years prior to Paddington having been found by the Brown Family he lived as a lonely bear atop a shelf in an English store. Paddington would first be discovered by Michael Bond, a cameraman for the BBC and purchased as a Christmas gift for Mr. Bond’s wife.

Paddington left such an impression on Mr. Bond that he decided to write a series of adventures involving Paddinton over a week’s time. Harper’s Collin Publishers released the book in 1958 under the title, “A Bear called Paddington,” and Paddington would be formally introduced to the world.

So how did Paddington come to be of Peruvian origin?

Mr. Bond (as Paddington would so humbly have addressed him) originally wanted Paddington to have come from Darkest Africa. His agent advised him however that there were no bears in Darkest Africa, so Paddington would have the good fortune to come from Darkest Peru, home of the Andean Bear.

Which way to Darkest Peru?

There is no “Darkest Peru” in real life, but what region would Paddington have come from if we had to Speculate?

Could Paddington have come from the dark Amazons? Not likely, the books tell us that Paddington’s Uncle lived high up in the mountains where he owned a cafe.

The book also says Paddington was sent to England after a terrible Earthquake had virtually wiped out all his relatives. The only item he was able to salvage was his uncle’s favorite red hat and a brown suitcase.

So we know that Paddington came from a place high in the mountains and where there was considerable seismic danger.

My guess would be that Paddington either came from Ayacucho or from the areas near Cuzco. Needless to say, Paddington probably came from Southeast Peru and from right in the midst of the Andean mountains.

To me Darkest Peru would signify a general description of a region dotted by small, isolated villages, undisturbed by modern luxuries and influences, many of these villages still exist today and are only accessible after a 16 hour journey via bus. Maybe this is why Paddington embraced the modern oddities of his new home.

Fifty Years Later and a World Apart for Paddington

Paddington may have had many makeovers during his incredible 50 years, but one thing has not changed, his optimistic outlook.

How will this optimism help Paddington in his new adventure? What we do know is that the new book will explore more of the mysteries of Paddington’s origin and it is rumored that part of this new adventure will consist of Paddington being questioned by immigration officials after he has lost his original documents.

Paddington continues to forge his impression upon young children and nostalgic adults and maybe a little bit of optimism is what we all could use in today’s shrinking globe.

Get Your Paddington Facts:

• Official Paddington Bear Website
• AFP News Article on Paddington’s 50th Anniversary
• Paddington Bear in Wikipedia
• Paddington’s Run in with Immigration (The Australian)

Photo Source: Wikipedia Paddington Bear Entry