The Last Hill Before Home: Another 2 days

Monday, January 26, 2009

Another 2 days

Sona-Playa Las Lajas 80 kilometers
Playa Las Lajas- David 85 kilometers

Mike rolling into the hostel.

He's not all that to happy in this pic. We had some serious soul searching to do on his last day. We were 5 kilometers from town...5..and he got a flat tire. On top of that we had no other tubes. To call a cab or not to call a cab that is the question. "Mike...dude..let's call a cab." Mike looks disgusted, "really bro." I reply, "well it's looking that way." Mike doesnt want to talk anymore. He looks down at Goodsby (his bike) and mentally asks Goodsby if he's got 5 klicks left. We've almost come 500 kilometers and were not about to freakin give up now! Mike and I do a crap job at patching some tires and Mike, the champ, rides 5 klicks on a half deflated tire and makes it to the hostel. I guess it couldn't be an easy landing!

Mike is doing some last repairs before our last day to David. Check out the ladies in the backgroud. There from a small typical village in the hills near Las Lajas. There handmade cloths are super cool.

Sunset at Playa Las Lajas.

Another sunset. Not a bad view from the hammock.

Chillin!

Not a bad place to camp for the night. $5 a night. Direct view of the ocean. Listening to the waves as you fall asleep. Great way to end the day after 12 hours of riding.

In all seriousness these birds posed for this picture. Once they saw the camera they were fighting for the good spot on the stick.

The beach baby!

Ok..so check ths out. Mike and I rode 12 hours the day before. We finally make it to the beach and set up the tent (in the dark). We get woken up to this maddness...some locals blairing crappy electronic/salsa/reggeaton at 7.30am on a sunday. These guys have no shame. And yes...this car pictured here is a taxi!

We took a day off at the beach and DID NOTHING!

After the 12 hours we were rewarded with this! Amazing sunset.

I'm not happy here. Lonely Planet declares that the 13 kilometer road from Las Lajas to Playa Las LAjas is paved. OUt rip went from 45 minutes to 3 hours after riding for 10! Damn you LP and your outdated BS!

Cruising through the beautiful back country in Panama.

Ya baby!

The road off the Americana was beautiful. The road from Santiago to Sona was a cyclists dream. Few cars, some hills and beautiful countryside.

So check out the dude in the hat (no, not Mike). These Panamanian dudes love to wear their hats like this. Mike and I always ask them (in english) if they just walked into a wall. They never respond...

Great view!

A cool farmer proudly poses for a picture. Im off in the distance somewhere trying to change my tire.

Taking a break.

Mike takes about 45 minutes to get his "white trash saddle bags" ready. Thanks again for the riverrafting bags dad, they worked out great!

Aaron

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Plan USA

¨Plan is a global partnership of caring people founded in 1937 to bring hope and help to the world’s poorest children.

Plan began as a child sponsorship organization. Today, we are one of the oldest and largest organizations of our kind—our grassroots, self-help programs assist more than 10 million children and their families in poor communities around the world.

We are proudly private, not for profit, and respectful of local religions and cultures—we have no agenda other than helping kids. Plan USA is one of more than 60 national organizations bearing the renowned Plan logo. ¨

Right about the time that I was identifying non profit organizations to work with I received an email from my cousin Joshua. Josh, a meteorologist for the United States Air Force who is living in Germany and currently stationed in Iraq, mentioned that he was now sponsoring a child through Plan USA. He said that it was a small step but a small step in the right direction. He also mentioned that Plan USA was backed by the Better Business Bureau, a point that we both respect. Through various research of my own I found that Plan USA is a prominent NGO and has a great marks from InterAction and the Charities Review Council. Most importantly I found that Plan USA´s mission of ¨striving to achieve lasting improvement in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries¨ linked exactly to my own mission for this fundraising event. Needless to say, it was a great fit.

The Inspiration

¨You must be the change you want to see in the world¨

- Mahatma Gandhi

I love to travel.

I have been lucky enough to throw on a backpack and visit 5 continents. I have been fortunate enough to see some amazing sights. It´s hard not to be inspired when your standing under the rotunda at the Taj Mahal or approaching the Pyramids of Egypt or wandering through the waterfalls at Iguazu in Argentina. These have all been inspiring times.

I also cherish the fact that I have met people from all over the world and been able to learn and share in the differences in cultures. You can learn so much when you share a spicy vietnamese sandwich with a local in Hoi An, when you take a stroll with a friend in a park in Santiago de Chile or gather with pilgrims over a pitcher of sangria at Santiago de Compostella in Spain. I´ve learned a lot and I´m incredibly grateful for all the opportunities.

With all the ups there´s also the downs. Theres another side you see when travelling. This side isn´t shared as much and it can also be quite difficult to talk about. Many countries, especially in the developing worlds, face many problems. HIV/AIDS, pollution, over population, lack of clean drinking water, dangerous living conditions and of course people living under $1 a day are just a few of the issues to mention.

I have wandered through the ghetto´s of Bangkok, I played stick games with the kids in the slums of Mumbai and seen the horrible living conditions of the street beggars in La Paz. While these encounters were only brief they still had a profound affect on me. Somehow, I draw inspiration from these encounters and connections. In so many situations these people who seemed to have nothing, were still smiling, still playing and still trying with all their means to get by. If only I had that much courage!

It was culture shock and it hurt.

I feel that now is the time to give back.

I encourage you to leave comments on this blog. Every word of positivity will help me along my journey. I encourage you to pass the message forward. Together we can help make a change for the kids that need it most. Finally, I encourage you to donate. There´s an icon on the top right hand corner of this blog that will direct you to a third party site that facilitates the donations. Its totally secure and safe. I appreciate all the love and positivity that I´m already recieving, of course this is not possible without people who want to help make a difference.

I don´t think that I´ll necessarily change the world, after all I´m just a 28 year old guy from San Francisco. But, I do want to give back. I do want to help. I have the opportunity so why not use it to help the children in the world who don´t have the same chances.

Now is the time to ¨be the change¨.

The Goal

In riding my bike from Panama City to San Francisco, I am initiating a grassroots fundraising effort to help raise money to feed starving children in Central and South America. All proceeds will go to PLAN USA. My goal is to raise a minimum of 15,000 dollars. In doing so I also hope to bring the plight and struggle of these children into the concious of the public, as well as their profound sense of life, courage, hope and faith. Their undeniable love for life, and ability to continue to dream.

Donate today http://www.firstgiving.com/lasthillbeforehome

I Believe

When taking on a mission like this it´s important to create a set of ideals, principles or beliefs. The task at hand is by no means going to be easy. These 7 beliefs are truly the fundamentals that will help me along my journey.

I Believe...

- In Plan USA. Plan´s clearly defined mission of ¨striving to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries¨, is possible with the support from us if we are willing to make a difference today.

- In grassroots charitable efforts. Dedicated individual leaders and community outreach groups are fighting the growing problems of poverty.

- In the power of communication and information. Plan´s key programs of ¨growing up healthy, learning, habitat, livelihood and building relationships¨, are possible by making a donation and passing the message forward.

- Riding a bike from Panama City to San Francisco will raise awareness to the fight against poverty.

- In outdoor adventure travel. Riding is one of the positive and healthy activities that plants confidence into any individual.

- In the power of synergy. A group with a common mission driven by creativity and passion can accomplish any set of goals.

- A dream, a bike and a regular guy from San Francisco can help make a change in the lives of children whom need it most.

The Last Hill Before Home

Monday, January 26, 2009

Another 2 days

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