The truth about roosters. I (and I don't think I'm alone on this) grew
up with a romantic ideal about Roosters. Roosters were some noble and
concise time piece which, with poise and precision, flapped up to the
top of the barn every morning to deliver a literal 'Cockadoodledoo!!'
and so mark the beginning of the day.
In reality the song often begins many hours before sunrise, and
never have I seen one lone rooster keeping the daily cadence. Rather
an entire troup of ten or fifteen begin making this obscene, strained
screeching noise well before sunrise, and continue for hours after.
They will all be in chaos, shrieking together until for some reason
they all lose enthusiasm and for a brief moment fall silent. Then, as
though struck by some brilliant inspiration, one rooster will strain
it's little bug-eyed head out and proclaim, 'AA-a-AA-aaa!!' And then,
as though inspired by the genius of the originator of this call all
the rest will suddenly join in, shrieking so loudly it sounds as
though they will pass out with the exertion of it. Then, suddenly and
for only a moment, it falls silent again. The process repeats for hours.
It's more than enough to pull you out of sleep and keep you there,
and the noise is of such a horrible quality that it will drive you
mad. It sounds like the combination of dogs howling and monkeys
screeching. Oh well, I'll get my revenge at lunch...
On March 3rd, 2010 I arrived in Ushuaia, Argentina and ended my journey to the southernmost city in the world.
This ride is a reminder of what can be accomplished through perseverance and a little hard work. It’s a reminder of what we as people are capable of, of what the human mind, body and spirit can achieve. I hope that I can help people realize that while it may take time, and it may be harsh and lonely at times, we can make our lives how we dream them to be. I do not want to be guilty of owning a life devoid of any living. Comfort and convenience are not synonymous with happiness!
For some reason I am under the impression that I will find both myself and God somewhere along this road. Maybe I won’t find either, but I must look! I want to allow the light of introspection a pure and undiluted chance to examine my soul. I have found greater value in thoughts born in solitude than those that spring from the fray of ordinary life. I hope this trip will be the beginning to a life full of experience, beauty and understanding. I don’t ever want to forget the way the world felt when I was a child: magical and huge, full of possibility and hope. I won’t let go of that. I am an artist at heart, and this, I hope, will be my first great work.
For some reason I am under the impression that I will find both myself and God somewhere along this road. Maybe I won’t find either, but I must look! I want to allow the light of introspection a pure and undiluted chance to examine my soul. I have found greater value in thoughts born in solitude than those that spring from the fray of ordinary life. I hope this trip will be the beginning to a life full of experience, beauty and understanding. I don’t ever want to forget the way the world felt when I was a child: magical and huge, full of possibility and hope. I won’t let go of that. I am an artist at heart, and this, I hope, will be my first great work.
I am riding to raise awareness for 'Acirfa,’ a non-profit organization which provides quality bikes to the people of Zambia, giving them the means to help themselves, rather than depend on charity. A bicycle changes the life of a Zambian in ways that are difficult for Americans to imagine, allowing doctors to see more patients, parents to make a living and teachers to get to school.
To clear the air and clear your head, ride a bike once a week!
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