A journey of hope

One of the things that affected me the most during this trip has been to witness a truly different and unusual side of people who are strangers to one another. I think I've commented before to some of the episodic displays of support and encouragement that locals demonstrate towards the riders, but some of the most heartwarming ones deserve special mention.

On day 5 (red dress day), a little before our stop in Casmalia, we went through a small town where school kids came out to cheer on us. They were yelling things like "you're cool because you ride for Aids!" and other things that I don't remember but for the fact that they were sweet and heartfelt. One small child came up to me and handed me a small colored ornament made with foam stars and pipe cleaners. It was very sweet. I got to ride all the way till the end with that ornament on my helmet.

Another example was in Santa Barbara for the recurrent annual stop at the much anticipated Paradise Pit. Paradise Pit is an extra stop on Day 6 organized by the people of Santa Barbara where the locals come out, cheer on the riders and as a token of appreciation for our effort and commitment, organize the distribution of fresh fruit, ice cream, water and the services of many local masseuses and chiropractors to give the riders a brief massage on their way to Ventura. The amazing thing was the sincere sentiment of appreciation, the thank yous and the encouragements. People were warm to strangers, often hugging them as if they had just helped them personally.

That same sentiment was a part of the special and very uncommon way in which this travelling community of 2000+ people behave to each other for 7 days. It was amazing to me to see how people exahusted physically and emotionally, subjected to uncomfortable conditions and not so effective resting times, standing in line for food, bathrooms, coffee, information, medical services, could still find it within themselves to be generous, kind and warm towards others, to help in any manner they could, to take time to meet and talk to people opening up to them and establishing a bond. It's been one of the things that was repeat throughout this event, that we would come to see a side of humanity that would be wonderful and ideal to see replicated in the "outer world". What an accurate prediction. And with the stark return to reality, I carry with me the knowledge that that power of acceptance, comprehension and solidarity is within people, however unexpressed. That's hope, folks.