Cycle with a Purpose

Travelling opens a lot of opportunities to meet amazing people from different places. And I had a chance to meet a great cyclist from USA who’s now presently residing in Chengdu. Dhane used to be a soldier who was once assigned in the Philippines and now, he’s a teacher in China.

He’s part of a group of cyclist that is planning to cycle across India and finally to Sri Lanka.

He would like to invite you guys to support and participate on the coming event on November 2011.

Here are some information from Dhane’s website:

The Journey

"The ride begins during November 2011 in Kathmandu, Nepal where cyclists will meet up and prepare to set out on the ride. Because of age handicaps — our youngest rider is 14 and the oldest is 62 — we are avoiding tackling the Himalayan ‘ups and downs’. We’ll take a bus or mini-van from Kathmandu to Pokhara for a visit to Fewa Tal and then on to Butwal, a town in the Nepalese Tarai. Our ride starts there as we wind our way across the plains just below the foothills of the Himalaya towards Rishikesh, crossing the border at Mahendranagar and continuing west towards

Amritsar in the Punjab. After reaching this point near Pakistan, we turn south and ride to Ahmedabad in Gujarat and then across the waist of India to its eastern coast. We touch the coast and head south towards Madurai in Tamil Nadu. If riders are able to continue and the Indian and Sri Lankan governments decide to reopen the ferry between these two countries, our final destination is Columbo.

Each rider is free to choose a project or individual(s) (or more than one) — or not — for donation of funds. Donations will be disbursed ‘hand to hand’ to beneficiaries during the event — if you have chosen to participate in this way. Cyclists are also free to just join the ride as an ‘appropriate tourist’ and there is no requirement to participate as a donor or sponsor. It is entirely voluntary — we feel that just having your participation as another cyclist will add energy to the event. We are truly looking for ‘fellow gypsies’ to help us in the ‘free spirit’ of this event.

Many of the cyclists joining the event have their own individual motivations for doing so. Each is a pilgrim in the truest sense of the word. Each one is searching for an experience of their own. India is the environment for this trip and its children are the teachers we will meet along the way. Some may join us, some may guide us, some may meet us and ask for our help temporarily, others may reject us – I hope most of them can teach us how to survive in a changing and unstable world. These are the ‘children of novelty’ who may just inherit the world the rest of us so-called ‘civilized’ people leave behind. You’re welcome to join us in changing this plan into a real event."

How to Participate

"Can you help us by participating in this event to benefit homeless children? We just want your involvement and networking ability in your own local community to help make the event happen. In other words, please help us spread the word of our invitation to riders and encourage them to become involved. Cyclists who join the ride should be self-motivated and directed so that each can be an independent member of the group — this is not a tour-guided vacation. If you do want to help monetarily, the best way you could do this is help us locate short or long-term sponsors for some of the homeless kids we anticipate meeting on the road — the money need not come from your pocket (you’re already paying for your own ride).

A donation of $250 from a friend or supporter who is inspired by your example would take care of most of the expenses for a homeless child for a whole year. We plan to visit some children’s homes or orphanages along the route to help inform riders and sponsors how they could help. We want to visit slum kids in Dehra Dun, near the town made famous by the Beatles — Rishikesh, and a destitute children’s home in southern India — Tamil Nadu. Others we plan to locate along the way through word of mouth and visit as time permits. Having said this, please don’t misunderstand it as a ‘bait and switch’ sales pitch. You are truly welcome to join us and enjoy the event as another cyclist on an adventure tour, a spiritual pilgrimage, or just as another wandering hermit. We’ll be camping out a lot but if you’re a student interested in third world development and how local non-governmental organizations work, you would learn a lot by ‘hanging out’ with us. Consider it a FREE education of sorts. I have a Masters Degree in third world development and will be glad to give the benefit of my advice to anyone who actually is a student interested in this field and wants to experience some of its social activities first-hand."

For More Information... visit the Gypsy Spirit Ride and Dhane's Website. If you come across this post, please stumble it, tweet it and share it in facebook, so our fellow Nomads could get the support that they need. A big thanks in advance.

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Four Things You should Do in India

India has a lot of things to offer to tourists and backpackers alike. It's a huge country that is so diverse you would definitely find some activities and sights that will suit your travel palate. Here are some of the things that you shouldn't miss when you go to India.

Drink Masala Chai with Friendly Locals

Cheap, calming and it’s so good. That’s my first impression when I had my first cup of Chai in India.

Strike a conversation with friendly locals or fellow backpackers while savoring the aromatic and delicious Chai.

Flickr Photo by uteart

Some facts about Chai from Wikipedia

“Masala chai is a beverage from the Indian subcontinent made by brewing tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs. By itself, chai is merely the generic word for tea in Hindi, Punjabi and many other languages around the world, and was adopted into British slang as cha or char. However, for many English speakers who refer to ordinary tea as tea, the word chai is a relatively recent addition to their vocabulary and automatically implies masala chai.”

Shop and Dress up like Indians

Flickr Photo by mckaysavage

“You’ll find yourself dressing up like an Indian after one week.” That’s what my friend told me when I saw him in Kathmandu. I ended up wearing Alibaba pants on my third day in India.

India has a lot of silk scarves, colorful saris, linen shirts and pants and absurdly looking Alibaba pants. Their clothes are made to comfort you on a hot and sunny Indian day.

Let go of your inhibition and wear ‘em. You’ll not only blend in, you’ll also feel very comfortable and you might enjoy it too because it’s also like you’re in a big dress up party in Asia.

Take note that most boutiques will charge you ridiculous prices, go to the market and compare the prices of one store with the other. You’ll be able to save a lot of money.

Soak up the Culture

Flickr Photo by mckaysavage

I’m from Asia and I’ve been to some countries in this gigantic continent and so far India seems to be the most culturally alive country that I’ve ever been to. It’s like an entirely different world.

If you have an adventurous spirit, stay away from organized tours and do the trip on your own. Talk to locals about their families, cultures and traditions and stay inquisitive.

I was hesitant at first because of some fear but I’ve learnt to trust people. They are just you and me. But don’t forget to trust your gut feel as well. If you feel that it’s not right then by no means don’t do it. Be careful in talking to strangers.

Stuffed yourself with Indian Food

Flickr Photo by jetalone

If you’re a big fan of curry and spicy food then this is the best place for you. Curries, freshly cooked chapattis and other Indian treats are really yummy.

Make sure to eat in clean restaurants. You don’t want to end up in a hospital because of food poisoning right.

Note: If the restaurant is packed with customers, there’s a big chance that their food is always fresh.

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Convince Me to Go to India

I was hanging out with three really nice folks earlier today (1AM-6AM), drinking while singing karaoke. Yeah, that’s life in the Philippines, karaoke everywhere! One of them has been my friend for years now, the other two (a couple), were her friends. Me and my friend have traveled to quite a few places, but not as much as the couple. They’ve traveled to a lot of countries because of their work (awesome job right!).

(Warning: Before I continue on, I just like to say that this is a long post. Probably my longest post as of this moment, please bear with me. Thanks!)

Our conversation revolved around blogging, traveling, funny stuff and more traveling until one of them said, “Convince me to go to India.”

I was actually caught off guard. It’s easy for me to convince people to travel. As I’ve said repeatedly in this blog, traveling is my passion and I also want other people to try it and experience it. I always find myself answering questions of my friends and acquaintances about places that I’ve been to, you know, the usual stuff about travel.

But I really find it hard to talk about India. I always tell them to go there if you’re ready. India is like an entirely different world. It’s like a love and hate relationship. You either love it or hate it and for some maybe both.

Flashback

I bought my bus and train ticket to India in Pokhara around the 3rd week of August 2009. I bid the guy that I traveled with in Nepal goodbye and headed to the bus station around five in the morning. It was a little cold and I fell asleep again inside the cab on my way to the bus station. Upon reaching the terminal, I was surprised to see my dorm mate in Thamel with his Korean friend and both of them were also going to India. We traveled together by bus and train for almost two days until we reached Varanasi.

Advices and Warnings

Prior going to India, I received a lot of advices and I’ve heard a lot of stories from folks that I’ve met along the way. I kept on asking about the do’s and don’t’, stuff to avoid etc because I’ve read that it’s quite “hard” to travel in India. Here are some of those:

(Note: I’m not sure if they’re ok with seeing their names in a blog, so I’ll just not put it)

“It’s the perfect place to learn and see things especially for a young guy like you. India is a very special place. Go there and see for yourself.” -American guy in Chengdu

“You look too neat to go to India. You’re lucky you wouldn’t be groped coz you’re a guy but you wouldn’t escape the weird Indian stares even if you’re Asian.” -Belgian lady in Guilin

“Oh! It’s nice to travel in India. Everything is so cheap. But people do this weird blank stare, it’s scary sometimes coz you don’t know what their thinking while they’re gawking at you.” -Singaporean guy in Guilin

“My friend had his kidney stolen while he was on a train in India! He swore to me that it’s true. He woke up with a sign hanging on his neck, -Please Take me to the Hospital” and blood all over his body. I’m scared as hell to go there!” -American guy in the Philippines

“Stay aware of your surroundings. India is the land of instant karma. Oh, and be careful with what you eat and drink man, ok! By the way, you’ll see shit everywhere.” -Spanish guy in Thamel

“If there’re only two places in this world that you would visit, you should go to Jerusalem and Varanasi. Those places have strong energies. When you get there you’ll understand what I’m saying.” – Kiwi guy in Vientiane

Thoughts, Thoughts, and a lot more Thoughts

We arrived safely in Varanasi, settled in a hostel and traveled around. We drank, mingled with locals, and visited the market and all other touristy stuff. And we spent our nights at the burning ghats watching dead people getting burnt everyday.

On our first night, I was horrified with what I’ve seen. The most shocking of all was when after putting off the fire, some dogs would hurriedly ran towards it and eat the remains – left over human bones, they say it’s usually the chest and pelvic part.

Another weird, sounds funny but it’s really not amusing, was the smell. It smelled like barbeque.

My head really hurt on that first night. I was appalled with what I’ve seen and smelled. But I realized that what I’ve seen is reality. We will all die soon and dying, aside from being inevitable, is something that I should not be scared of. It’s part of our nature, its part of our life.

Having experienced and realized that life and death event, I also started asking a lot of questions to myself.

Am I doing what I want to do in life or am I just wasting it?

Do I know what I want?

What if I die tomorrow, can I say that I was able to live my life to the fullest?

I might only have one shot at this because I’m really not sure about reincarnation nor second life.

Crossroad

I felt an unexplainable sadness and worry on my third night. I was wondering if it was because of the emotion of the family members that I’ve observed. Even if I did not see any tears falling off their faces, you could feel the grief, sadness and hope (coz of reincarnation belief) for their departed love ones.

I’ve decided to go online the following morning and contacted my family. And then I understood the reason for my sadness.

My grandmother died on that same morning. The nice lady that raised and took care of me since I was a little boy had left us.

Tears fell from my small, dark brown, almond eyes. I tried to hold it back because there were other people inside the internet café but I just couldn’t. I logged off, paid the rent and walked out of the shop.

I went straight to the Ganges riverbanks. I closed my eyes and imagined that I was talking to her. I thanked her for everything that she did for me and said goodbye.

Tears were still quietly falling off my face when I heard some giggling voices of kids. Three little Indian kids were in front of me trying to sell me postcards. I wiped my tears off my face and started talking to them. The girl held my hand and started drawing some nice designs using some glittery gold and silver makeup like thingy.

I said, “I’m sorry but I don’t have any money to pay for it.”

She laughed and said, “It’s free!”

And all of us started laughing.

Dashing from Delhi to Manila

I went back to the hostel and immediately told the two other guys that I’ve changed my plans and I’m heading home right away. One of them said, “It’s ok, you don’t have to explain.” I know he noticed that my eyes were still red because of too much crying.

I said, “I’m going to Delhi via Agra and fly there to Manila.”

And they’ve decided to keep me company up to Delhi.

We stopped by Agra to see Taj Mahal and then hop on another train to Delhi. I booked my flight tickets when we were still in Agra. I spent a couple more days in Delhi while waiting for my flights. On the day of my departure, I hugged them so tight and wished them well. We promised that we’re gonna visit each other and we’re gonna travel again together. This time I was able to hold my tears back.

I arrived in Manila a day before my Grandmother’s burial.

Seeing her for the last time was more important to me than seeing the world at that time. Backpacking the world could always wait.

I was in India when I realized some of my greatest lessons in life.

Salamat sa lahat Lola.

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