Running away to the circus

Emily Ainsworth, a 22-year-old Oxford graduate, dreamt of joining one of Mexico's touring family circuses. She wanted the thrill of performing in a sawdust-filled ring under a Big Top.

Earlier this year her dream came true. Emily won the annual 'Journey of a Lifetime' prize awarded by the Royal Geographical Society in collaboration with Radio 4.

Here's a taste of the three months she spent with the Circo Padilla:

Journey of a Lifetime will be broadcast at 1102 BST on Friday 29 August 2008.
It will then be available on the BBC iPlayer for 7 days. Radio 4 'Journey of a Lifetime' website

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Photography by Emily Ainsworth. Slideshow production by Paul Kerley.