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USA 2001 Click Here to See USA Photos
News Coverage in USA
News Coverage in the Bay Area
News Coverage in the Oregon
News Coverage in Atlanta
May 23 - North Dakota, USA
I met Nick Lee in a gas station in Grand Forks. He took me to his home, phoned many places and in few minutes people started coming in cars after cars. He also called ABC television. After the interview, we went to the university park, where Nick had started a small picnic. They opened beers, took pictures, test-rode my cycle, sang and danced.
Two cyclists, Carl and Sibyl, dropped in from nowhere. Nick introduced me to them. They asked me if I needed anything. At this moment I actually don't. Lindsay, the owner of Olympia Cycle Store in Winnipeg gave me some stuff for the bike. Sibyl saw that my glove had a hole in it. She rode off saying she would be back in an instant. I thought maybe she had gone to buy me a new pair. She came back and asked me to take my gloves off. I handed them to her. From her bag she took out a needle and thread, and started sowing my gloves. My mother used to sow my torn trousers with bits of old cloth. In my mind I compared Sibyl with my mother. My first day in the most powerful country in the world has been a memorable one.
June 2 - Illinois, USA
Ramakant gave me the tragic news as soon as I reached Chicago. The most horrific news! CNN and BBC were constantly telecasting news from Nepal. I tried to call home several times but failed to contact anyone. I have lost my appetite. How will history see the murder of the king so loved by his people? I do not have a heart to do anything toady. My hands are shaking. I pay my heart-felt condolences to my beloved king and the royal family.
September 1 - New York News Coverage
I stayed in song writer Chewang Lama's house. He has a Buddhist temple on the third floor, next to which is the room where I was put up. I headed past Forest Hills towards Jackson Heights after lunch. That's where Little India is. I came across a cyclist asking for donations displaying lots of posters stuck to his cycle. I couldn't have a conversation with him because apparently he is a Mexican who cannot speak English, but I did give him $10 donations. I can understand his problems.
In the evening I went to the Kasturi Country Club, where I met a few of my old pals from back home. I had a good time, helped by many beers. The party was still on when we headed for home at 2 AM. It takes nearly one hour to get home. An African American stopped me on the way as I was riding slowly. "Give me ten dollars," he said. I asked him why. He said he needed it. I contempleted taking out the khukuri from my bag and using it. There was no one around. I told him that I didn't have $10, that I too was a begger. He asked, "Are you sure?" I said I was. He took out his gun, pointed at me and said, "You don't have the right to live if you don't have even $10." Hurriedly I said, "Wait, wait!" thinking this guy would definitely kill me now and it would be unwise to give up my life for $10. I fished out a note from the wallet. It was $20. I handed that to him and asked for $10 back. He smiled, put the gun back and walked away saying, "I won't ask you if I meet you again." "Don't meet me again," I said and continued on my way.
September 9
Transportation Alternatives had organised Century Bike Tours today and as a world cyclist I was given free entrance. The rally had nearly 500 cyclists started an hour later. Each cyclist was given a route map. There were many women participants too. Many of them asked about my cycle and me when they passed by. Some of them recognized my flag. Some saw the writing on my t-shirt and asked with amazement if I was really from Nepal. Noticing the load on the back of my cylce, some would joke while others offered to help. I had finish the 100 miles (160 km) bike tour, including Manhattan, Booklin, Queens and The Bronx, in 4 .10 p.m. Anantji had called many Nepalis to meet me at the finish point. They were happy that I took part in the tour.
September 10
I set on my way from Yonkers to New York City along side the bank of Hudson river. People feel insecure inside their four walls. I feel they are safe and vulnerable at the same time, wherever they are. I remember Paul as I reach New York. He always has time for me. When we went there he was smoking marijuana as usual. It started raining in the evening, so we ordered Chinese food. We have made plans to go see the World Trade Centre tomorrow.
September 11, 2001 - New York
I had a late night yesterday, too many beers. I was in the toilet when Paul shouted for me. A plane had hit the World Trade Centre, the place where we had planned to visit today. There was live coverage on TV. As we watched another plane came from nowhere and crashed into building no.2. Only then we realised this was not an accident. Sirens started sounding all over New York City. The first plane had hit at 9AM, then a second attack followed by similar attacks in Washington DC and the Pentagon. Half an hour after that, President Bush announced the terrorist attack on the country and confirmed Osama bin Laden's involvement in it. The 110 storey buildings had 48,000 people working in them. There were 99 elevators to climb up the 1483 ft. There were 43,000 windows. On average 200,000 people used to visit those buildings everyday. The twin towers were burning. People could be seen jumping from windows hoping to make it out alive. Building no.2 went down at 10:05, the next one at 10:28. It was like watching a movie. The beauty of New York turned into dust as the citizens watched. The city turned into a graveyard. Railway, tunnels, airport, everything closed down. We were terrified with the news of more hijacked planes in the sky. I was imprisoned in New York City.
September 26 - New York
During my one month stay in the city victimised by terrorism, I saw and learnt a lot inspiring me to continue for my search for peace. I worked for 2 weeks in a grocery for 7 dollars an hour without tax because the job was cash-in-hand.
This is a copy of the NewsCenter 7 website from July 6, 2001
The actual site is at http://twcny.com/newscenter7/index.cfm
| Cyclist From Nepal on World Peace Tour
A 32-year-old bicyclist from Nepal is spreading the word of peace through an 11-year bicycle tour. He arrived in Ithaca last night (74). Pushkar Shah says there is too much fighting in the world over business, religion and politics. Therefore, he says he stands as a symbol of peace to remind people they should be united and not torn by disagreement. Shah travels to Rochester, New York, next. He wants to see 150 countires all together. If you want to assist Shah in his journey, you can contact him at nepalcyclist@yahoo.com.
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