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O Brasil na rota do cicloturismo internacional
Introdução
Pushkar e a primeira bicicleta que utilizou na viagem.
Foto: Carlos André/ Clube do Cicloturismo
Pushkar Shah no Rio de Janeiro
Foto: Carlos André/ Clube do Cicloturismo
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Na coluna deste mês o Clube de Cicloturismo fala dos esportistas e viajantes que os cicloturistas encontram em meio às suas viagens.
por Carlos André Ferreira*
O que poderiam ter em comum um nepalês, um japonês e dois iranianos?
A resposta é uma só: todos incluíram o Brasil como passagem obrigatória em suas cicloviagens ao redor do mundo. O curioso é que nenhum deles, apesar de terem cruzado as estradas brasileiras praticamente no mesmo período do ano, tinha ouvido falar do outro. Coisas de um país de dimensões continentais como o nosso.
Mas, por outro lado, os três acabaram, de uma maneira ou de outra, cruzando o meu caminho. O primeiro que encontrei foi o nepalês Pushkar Shah. Como é da tradição do cicloturismo, o encontro foi totalmente espontâneo, em uma movimentada via de um bairro da zona sul carioca.
Pushkar vinha pedalando noite adentro em uma bicicleta carregadíssima. Demos de cara um com o outro. Pedi que ele parasse para matar minha curiosidade com dezenas de perguntas. Mas logo lembrei da minha viagem e do batalhão de perguntas que recebia diariamente, muitas vezes em situações inadequadas. Achei melhor ajudá-lo do que seguir naquele questionário.
Era o sexto ano ininterrupto de uma viagem ao redor do planeta. Uma viagem prevista para 11 anos!!! Pushkar se dirigia para o centro da cidade, um hábito muito comum entre cicloturistas: o de procurar o coração da cidade. Mas no Rio isso não é um bom negócio. O centro é uma região desabitada e arriscada para alguém que acaba de chegar e não fala a nossa língua. Rapidamente o demovi da idéia e o acompanhei até um albergue vizinho de minha casa.
O local era perfeito para ele, não só estava em um bairro estratégico (Botafogo), próximo das regiões de interesse turístico, como também do metrô e de uma boa rede de estabelecimentos comerciais. Depois de uma breve negociação, o albergue ainda o concedeu a estadia como cortesia. Coisa que cicloturista adora!
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Nepalese man pedals for peace
Jordana Mishory
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 6, 2004 12:00 AM
Pushkar Shah was noticeably uncomfortable sitting on a plush couch in a fashionable Scottsdale home.
It was unlike anything he knew growing up in a small Nepalese village near Mount Everest without electricity or even roads.
He never thought he would someday be sitting in Arizona. He never thought he would fly in an airplane. And he never thought he would bicycle around the world promoting peace.
But he's here now, in the sixth year of his solo 11-year journey, which has taken him through 60 countries in Asia, Australia and North and South America.
Although he did not learn to ride until 15 years ago when he was 21, he is used to it now. He has to be. It's his job.
Shah plans to visit 90 more countries in his quest to promote non-violence. He does not elaborate on how to achieve a war-free world, he simply believes it has to improve.
"The Earth is not in good condition right now," he says. He knows firsthand. He says his father was killed by terrorists in India in 1986. Shah says he himself was tortured for being a part of the Nepalese democracy movement.
Since his journey began in November 1998, he has been held at knifepoint, kidnapped and had his bike stolen in New Zealand. But he does not let his hardship stop him.
"I get more encouraged to do against the violence," he says. "I keep riding. I don't worry about tomorrow. If I worry about tomorrow - be it a big jungle or a dangerous animal or dangerous people - if I do that kind of thinking, I cannot move.
"I always think on my mind good things."
When he left Nepal, his mother gave him 100 Nepalese rupees (about $1.50). He keeps it in his diary.
"After I finish around world I will return it to her," he says.
Shah estimates he needs $20 a day to live, which he gets through donations.
He carries everything he needs on his bike - two bags of dry food, cooking gear, spare wheels, gear wires and other parts on either side of his front wheel. He keeps his sleeping bag, tent and clothes - six outfits, four pairs of socks - in the bags around his seat. He has only one pair of shoes.
And he always carries the Nepalese flag. It is attached to the left side of his front wheel, and he places the flag of the country he is traveling in to the right. The closeness of the two flags symbolizes friendship.
When he completes his journey, he wants to climb Mount Everest and bring all the flags he collected to the summit. He then wants to do social work in his village.
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]Biker pedals world over in push for peace
60 countries, so far, in quest that goes to 2009
By Kristin McAllister
Dayton Daily News
FAIRBORN | Pushkar Shah has seen the worst of what mankind has to offer during his six-year bicycle trek through 60 countries to promote world peace.
But despite attacks by robbers and even a kidnapping, it is the stories of living off the land and the kindness of his fellow man that brings a smile to Shah's face.
Fairborn resident Nischal Shrestha, a native of Shah's home country of Nepal and a supporter of his quest, is housing Shah during his stop. Shah, 36, rode his bike to Dayton last week from Canada and will leave today for Los Angeles. His next stop is Africa.
Shah, a peace activist in college and witness to violence throughout his life in Nepal, left home in 1998 with the goal of visiting every country in the world to promote peace.
He said he thinks by 2009 his journey will be complete. He wants to end the quest by climbing Mount Everest and staking a flag from 150 nations in a show of solidarity for peace.
"We are one world, one heart. We have one sun, one moon — we are of one world," he said. "One man cannot change everything. We all have to be a personal messenger of peace."
Nepal, between China and India, is slightly larger than Arkansas and is home to the Himalayan mountains. Shah said his story is a lesson about hope and never losing sight of it — about forging ahead despite pain, hunger and thirst.
His mission grew out of a tortured past — literally.
Shah said his father was killed in 1986 in a terrorist attack. And as a young man, Shah said, he was beaten and tortured by police while he was a peace activist before graduating from the University of Kathmandu.
He began he journey with just 100 Nepalese rupees ($1.50), handed to him by his mother. But as his story spread, cash donations came in through a Web site that tracks his progress. He uses the money to buy airline tickets to cross the oceans. Offers of shelter and assistance during his travels also came from around the globe.
Even so, there are many days that Shah goes without food, and some meals are as meager as discarded orange peels or fruits from trees and plants.
There also are those days he looks back on and knows he's lucky to be alive.
While in Mexico in late 2003 and in dire need of water, Shah said he was resting under a tree by the roadside when a truck pulled up. Three men lured him into the truck, where one pulled a knife and knocked him unconscious.
When he awoke on the truck floor, Shah said he knew they were going to kill him, so decided to try to fight his way out of the truck.
He managed to escape into the desert with cuts and bruises.
Five days later, police found the assailants and recovered his bike, thanks to Shah, who memorized the truck's license plate number.
Then there was the time in Barbados when a man sneaked into his tent and beat him up even after Shah offered what little money he had.
But Shah said those bad memories are more than balanced by the people who offer him meals and shelter, or help in other small ways.
"Everyday, I ask please send me today one more person (who) is kind," he said.
In March 2001, it was Sir Edmund Hilary who came to Shah's aid.
Hilary, the first man to climb to the top of Mount Everest, heard about Shah after his bike was stolen while he was in New Zealand and paid for him to get a new bike.
Source,Dayton dauly news,June14,2004,USA
Contact Kristin McAllister at (513) 696-4545
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World peace cyclist makes Lima stop
By JOHN FIKE
419-993-2098
jfike@limanews.com
LIMA — Through many danger, toils and snares Pushkar Shah has already come, but he’s only half done.
Nepalese peace activist Pushkar Shah arrived in Lima on Tuesday, having come from Co-lumbus, as part of his 11-year, 150-country bicycle ride to promote peace. In the last five and a half years he’s been through 60 countries.
“On Nov. 29, 1998 I set out (from Nepal) on an 11 year long journey to capture my dream, the dream of riding 390,000-kilometres around the world on my bicycle to spread the message of peace and hope for my country and for the world,” Shah wrote on his Web site. “This mis-sion is not about material gain or international fame. It's simply about spreading the message of peace.”
Shah said Tuesday his main message is, “One world, one house.”
“We have one sun. We have one moon, and we have one sky. We should have one house. We’re the family of that house,” Shah said. “I don’t have a sponsor. I travel by donations.”
Shah began his bike ride two years after his father, a Gurkha soldier, was killed by a terror-ist, he said.
“As a young man, I experienced first-hand what it is like to lose a loved one to senseless vio-lence,” Shah wrote on his Web site.
This week he rode into Lima to stay with friends from Nepal, he said.
Shah said he chose a bicycle as his vehicle of choice because it’s easier than walking and al-lows him opportunities to talk with people along the way. He said he was not a bicyclist before beginning his journey. In fact, he never rode a bicycle until he went to college at age 21. The village he grew up in didn’t even have a road, he said, let alone bicycles.
Shah said he rides about 10 hours a day when he’s travelling, and covers 60 to 70 miles a day. While Shah said he has not had much trouble crossing borders between nations, his ride has not been all smooth.
In New Zealand, Shah had his bicycle stolen. Stranded without wheels, the biker from Nepal was rescued by famed mountain climber Sir Edmund Hillary who brought him another bike.
In Barbados, Shah was robbed at knifepoint.
In Mexico, he was kidnapped by two men in a blue truck. When they stopped the truck, Shah said, he struggled briefly with them and fled on foot into the harsh desert terrain under cover of night.
Shah retells many of his adventures on his Web site.
In March, Shah partnered with the Himalayan Cataract Project and is a goodwill ambassador for the group. The Himalayan Cataract Project strives to eradicate preventable and curable blindness in the Himalayas by providing high-quality ophthalmic care, education about blind-ness, and establishing a sustainable eye care infrastructure, according to the group’s Web site.
Shah is heading out on the next leg of his journey Thursday. He said he is headed to Ann Ar-bor, Mich.
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Source -The Lima News,June2,2004,USA
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Nepal cyclist traveling the world for peace
By Maria D. Martirano, Times-News Staff Writer
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| Bicyclist Pushkar Shah makes a stop in Cumberland Thursday before continuing on his journey around the world. (Photo credit: Wesley Haines/Times-News) | CUMBERLAND - Growing up, Pushkar Shah didn't even have a place to ride a bicycle in his hometown - nor did he ever ride one until he was 21 years old. Now, he spends almost every single day on one.
Born in a village near Mount Everest in Nepal, Shah left his home Nov. 29, 1998, "from the foothills of the Himalayas" and is pedaling around the world with a mission to bring peace to all. He plans to complete his journey in 2009.
The following year, he intends to climb Mount Everest with the flags from all the countries he has visited.
Shah carries a short biography with him that explains why he started this journey.
In 1986, his father, a soldier in the Gurkha Army, was on a peace-keeping mission when he was killed by terrorists.
Shah became involved in the People's Movement for Democracy in 1990. He was arrested, beaten and tortured, including a gunshot wound to the hand.
It was then that he realized "there is not much peace left in the world."
He decided the best way to spread the message was by taking a bicycle and traveling the world.
Now in the sixth year of his journey - he's only been home once - Shah is traveling through the United States. He left Burlington, Vt., about a month ago and expects to arrive in Los Angeles by the end of July. From Los Angeles, he'll hop over to Africa.
The 36-year-old already has traveled through 60 countries, covering 60 to 70 miles each day.
A Lion member of the Kathmandu Everest club in Nepal, he has stayed in contact with various Lions clubs, which have helped him throughout his journey.
That's how Bill and Mary Alma Greise of Cumberland first learned of the trek.
Mary Alma Greise said Shah had contacted President Jean White about his mission, who presented it to the club.
"I said to Bill, 'Why not take him home with us,' " Mary Alma said after learning Shah usually stayed at campgrounds.
Shah arrived in Cumberland from Hagerstown by U.S. Route 40 on Wednesday and cycled straight to the Cumberland Lions Club meeting at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club.
After he spoke there, Al Ward loaded up his gear and took him to the Greise home, where he spent the night.
The family gave him return address labels to remember them and some paper and envelopes in case he wanted to write anyone. He requested the Greises write to his mom to let her know that he's OK and he is happy. He said he misses his family but he puts a positive outlook on each day.
"The people I meet every day now are my family and new friends," Shah, who serves as the goodwill ambassador for the Himalayan Cataract Project, said.
Shah is accepting donations to assist with his journey, which started with about $1.50 from his mom.
"I just need a couple of dollars for tomorrow," he said Thursday as he headed to Somerset, Pa.
Information about the journey may be E-mails may be sent to him at nepalcyclist@yahoo.com.
Maria D. Martirano can be reached a mmartirano@times-news.com.
May21,2004,USA
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Around the World in 11 Years: Nepal Native Calls for Peace
Candace Braun
From the foothills of the Himalayas, to the islands of Fiji, to the sandy deserts of Arizona, Nepal native Pushkar Shah is on a mission to travel to 150 countries in 11 years, promoting peace around the world. And he intends to ride his bike the whole way.
Mr. Shah, 36, has already been on his journey for six years and seen 60 countries along the way. These include 22 Asian countries, 14 Caribbean countries. New Zealand, and countries in South and Central America.
Mr. Shah stopped at Borough Hall in Princeton on Friday, April 30, after visiting Vermont. Once he visits New York City for his second time, he will travel to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and parts of the Midwest and West Coast. Afterwards he will leave for Africa.
Once he completes his journey in 2009, Mr. Shah will climb Mount Everest, located near his hometown in Nepal. He will take with him the flags he has gathered from every country he has visited to represent the unity of all countries of the world.
Mr. Shah is following the mission of his father, who was on a peacekeeping mission in 1986 when he was killed by terrorists.
"As a young man, I experienced first-hand what it is like to lose a loved one to senseless violence," said Mr. Shah.
Mr. Shah became involved in the 1990 peoples movement for democracy while studying at the University in Kathmandu. It was then he realized that the movement wasn't enough to keep peace alive.
"I was arrested, beaten, and tortured many times by the police during that time and on one occasion, was shot in the hand," said Mr. Shah. "After that incident ... I began to think about what I could do to make a difference."
Mr. Shah said he felt riding his bike and meeting people face to face would be the best way to convey his message of peace: "I felt that this would be the best way to go everywhere. Door to door, step by step, talking to people about world peace and global unity."
World Traveler
The traveler has had quite an adventure, which he has recorded in journals and published on his website, www.pushkarshah.com. He also said he intends to write a book of his journey once his travels are complete.
With no official sponsors, Mr. Shah said that most days he must rely on the kindness of others for food and shelter: "I usually live day-to-day and hand-to-mouth, with a very small cash reserve for an unforeseen emergency. Sometimes I am offered complimentary food, lodging, or other opportunities which I graciously accept. At other times, I am looking for a safe place to pitch my tent, and there have been times when I don't know how or when I will be able to get my next meal."
Mr. Shah was well received at Borough Hall, where he received donations to continue his journey.
Among his many travels, Mr. Shah stayed for a month in New York City in 2001. However that month happened to surround September 11th. In his journal he wrote about the events that took place that day and the days following it.
"During my one-month stay in the city victimized by terrorism, I saw and learned a lot inspiring me to continue my search for peace," he wrote.
Ironically, Mr. Shah had intended to visit the World Trade Center the day the terrorist attacks took place.
A New Mission
While travelling the world, Mr. Shah has discovered a new mission to promote, one that was started by his native people. The Himalayan Cataract Project (HCP) has a mission to eradicate preventable and curable blindness in the Himalayas.
Just last month, Mr. Shah revisited Vermont to meet with people associated with this project and find out how he can help assist the group. He is now revisiting various parts of the world to spread his new message, and will participate in a charity bike ride from New York to California to benefit HCP.
"I am now not only spreading the message of peace around the world, but also serving as a goodwill ambassador for the Himalayan Cataract Project," said Mr. Shah.
HCP is establishing sustainable eye care in Nepal, Tibet, China, Bhutan, India, Sikkim, West Bengal, and Pakistan. Started in 1994, the program has now restored eyesight to thousands of blind people, according to its website, www.cureblindness.org.
"Nepal is now the first country in the region in which the rate of cataract operations each year surpasses the number of new cases," said Mr. Shah.
Mr. Shah said that the one thing he definitely has learned on his journey is that plans change, and one must always be prepared for the unexpected. But despite what obstacles may fall in his way, he will continue to promote his message.
"Despite all the twists and turns and bumps in the proverbial road, the goal of my journey remains unchanged. I continue, in the best way I am able, to spread the message of peace and to promote my beloved country of Nepal," he said
Source,Town Topics,May19,2004,USA
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Ciclista do Nepal passa por Foz
Viajem de Pushkar Shah começou em 1998 e só termina em 2009
Luciano Villela
Foz do Iguaçu fez parte do trajeto do ciclista do Nepal que está dando a volta ao mundo em duas rodas. A Terra das Cataratas é a segunda cidade brasileira que Pushkar Shah passa desde o início de sua viajem. A primeira foi Uruguaiana no Rio Grande do Sul, depois o ciclista veio pela Argentina, até chegar na fronteira. Pushkar começou a sua aventura em 1998 e apenas passou da metade do caminho. Em seis anos de estrada, Shah cruzou por 59 países, mas ainda faltam 91 para estar de volta ao Nepal.
Determinação
Sem falar direito o espanhol e muito menos o português, Shah acredita que esta é uma das principais dificuldades em sua viajem, “com a diferença de línguas a comunicação é mais difícil”, balbucia o ciclista. Outro fator complicador durante a viagem tem sido os diversos climas encontrados pelos países afora. Pushkar passa grande parte do dia em cima da bicicleta pedalando contra o tempo. “A bicicleta é minha casa”, disse. Em sua bagagem apenas algumas roupas, equipamentos para o conserto da bicicleta e uma pequena barraca, onde passa a maior parte das noites. Shah não tem recursos próprios e vai sobrevivendo através de doações e da ajuda do Lions Clube International. A viagem pode ser acompanhada em todo o mundo através do site www.pushkarshah.com
Objetivo
Pushkar saiu do Nepal com apenas um objetivo, levar a mensagem de paz ao mundo. “Não à guerra, não ao terrorismo, quero levar a paz aos povos”, comentou. Essa mesma paz não foi possível ser realizada em Nova York, lembra o ciclitas que na cidade americana conheceu as “Torres Gêmeas”. O ato terrorista foi um incentivo ainda maior para que o ciclista continue a viagem e complete a visita pelos 150 países planejados. Depois de Foz do Iguaçu, Shah vai em direção a São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro e Nordeste, e após embaraça para a África e Europa, até voltar para o seu país de origem.
Source-Journal Do Iguazu,29 January,2004,Brazil
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Mensaje de paz:
Trotamundos nepalés llega a Chile
En su bicicleta ya lleva 56 países recorridos. Su meta son 150 para 2009
GASPAR RAMÍREZ
Que el perro sea el mejor amigo del hombre es algo que Pushkar Shah, un nepalés de 35 años, realmente pone en duda.
En 1998 partió desde Katmandú, capital de Nepal, a recorrer el mundo. Pero no salió solo. Lo acompañó una amiga: su bicicleta.
Ya son 56 los países que Pushkar ha recorrido y 56 las banderas que ha recolectado.
Sin embargo, aún le falta para completar los 390 mil kilómetros que pretende recorrer, y para reunir las 150 banderas que quiere juntar, para llevarlas en 2010 a la cumbre del monte Everest; es decir, un año después que finalice su actual aventura, en 2009.
El pedaleo lo trajo hasta Chile, donde llegó procedente de Bolivia. Ayer abandonó Santiago, con rumbo a Los Andes, para desde ahí enfilar hacia Argentina.
Entre palomas y curiosos que pululan en la Plaza de Armas, Pushkar dice estar agradecido de la gente que lo ha ayudado en nuestro país.
Este trotamundos cuenta que su viaje no es turístico.
Difundir un mensaje de paz y esperanza por los cinco continentes es la razón de su periplo.
Esta idea tampoco es antojadiza. El asesinato de su padre, un soldado gurka, a manos de terroristas, mientras peleaba en India, lo marcó para el resto de sus días.
Este sociólogo egresado de la Tribhuran University, también tiene su pasado combativo.
Al quitarse su guante derecho, enseña una cicatriz en la base de su dedo anular.
"Se trata de un balazo de un policía, durante una protesta en Katmandú contra el Panchayat System, en 1990 (dictadura gobernante entre 1960-90)", explica.
Ésa no es la única marca que muestra su cuerpo. Una serie de finas cicatrices cruzan sus piernas. Con emoción y orgullo, recuerda cómo corrió por un campo de cactus, tras escapar de unos secuestradores en el norte de México.
Le robaron su bicicleta, y los cincuenta kilos de equipaje con los que viaja. La policía los recuperó.
Ya en Nueva Zelandia había perdido todo.
Sólo pudo salvar un bolso con una carpeta con sus recortes de periódicos de todo el mundo en los que había aparecido. En esa ocasión, sir Edmund Hillary, el primer hombre en subir el Everest, fue su mecenas y salvador.
Con una sincera sonrisa, Pushkar se despide y comienza a pedalear. El viaje es largo, dice, pero hay que continuar.
source-elmercurio,13december,2003,Santiago,Chile
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VISITA
''Ciclista nepalés continúa con su "vuelta al mundo"
Pushkar Shah está de paso en la zona, cumpliendo con el objetivo de recorrer todo el planeta en su bicicleta.
 En la Cuarta Región se encuentra el ciclista nepalés, Pushkar Shah, deportista que en noviembre de 1998 inició el tour denominado "Around the world in 11 years" (Alrededor del mundo en 11 años) y que le ha llevado a recorrer más de 56 países durante su travesía, entre Asia, Oceanía y América del Norte, Centro y Sur.
Este entusiasta pedalero, nativo de la localidad de Dolekha, villorrio ubicado a los pies del monte Everest, tiene como principal motivación traspasar las fronteras de los países con un mensaje de paz y amor entre los pueblos, contando para tal propósito sólo con sus energías y el apoyo esporádico que le brinda su institución, el Club de Leones, la cual desgraciadamente varía de acuerdo a cada país que visita. "A veces hay lugares donde me apoyan, y en otros simplemente no lo hacen; pero a mí me gusta la paz para el mundo y pretendo entregar ese mensaje en cada país que visito", señaló Shah.
Durante su larga travesía, este nepalés ha tenido que sortear varios contratiempos, entre los que destaca tres robos sufridos; el primero ocurrido en Nueva Zelanda, donde perdió todo su equipaje (incluida la bicicleta); un segundo atraco en Barbados, donde fue atacado con arma blanca mientras dormía en su carpa y el último ocurrió en México, donde fue secuestrado y, posteriormente, liberado en medio de la selva.
Otra de las curiosidades dice relación con su equipamiento, compuesto por su bicicleta de 24 cambios, cocinilla, carpa, saco de dormir, ropa y repuestos para el rodado, todo lo cual involucra un peso fijo de 50 kilogramos, los que no hacen mella para que el deportista sortee diariamente un promedio de 110 kilómetros diarios de pedaleo.
Pushkar Shah ingresó por Arica hacia Chile, y permanecerá por espacio de un mes en territorio nacional, antes de cruzar la frontera y dirigirse hasta Argentina. El 2009 proyecta finalizar esta titánica empresa, la cual posee como único capital un mensaje de hermandad entre las naciones del mundo.
Source-El dia,La serena,Chile,2 November,2003
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Un mensaje de paz en dos ruedas
Por Carolina Martín.-,Peru
"El mundo es una única casa. Hay un solo sol, una sola luna y un solo cielo. Nues
Pushkar Shah viaja con el apoyo de la gente que encuentra en su recorrido por el mundo.
| tro deber es vivir en él con paz y amor". Quien pronuncia esta frase de manera casi mística se llama Pushkar Shah, es nepalí, y lleva cinco años subido a una bicicleta con el firme objetivo de difundir por el mundo su mensaje de paz.
Si estuviera callado (Pushkar solo habla nepalí e inglés) nada lo distinguiría de un peruano cualquiera. De hecho desde que llegó a nuestro país el pasado 29 de agosto, confiesa, no pocas han sido las veces en que esto le ha sucedido.
Pero su español lo traiciona y entre risas y más risas este ciclista de excepción apenas acierta a decir "buenos días", "poquito", y, cómo no, la frase que lo define: "la vuelta al mundo en bicicleta en 11 años".
Este es el tiempo que este muchacho de tez oscura, poca estatura, delgado y piernas firmes estima que durará su increíble viaje. Y aún le quedan 6 años de aventuras. Atrás quedaron países como India, Japón, Rusia, Sri Lanka, Estados Unidos, Honduras, Panamá o Ecuador. Frente a él le esperan casi todos los que conforman América del Sur y, después, África.
Pushkar se desplaza por el mundo como si este fuera, en efecto, su casa. Para él no hay distancia que no pueda ser recorrida por él y por su bicicleta. Grabados en su retina y en su piel permanecen los avatares y mil aventuras de sus visitas por los 54 países en los que ha estado.
Un lustro pedaleando por largos y duros caminos cargados de anécdotas no siempre vividas sobre la bicicleta que lo trajo a Lima hace 5 días. La primera, la que le sacó de Makaibari (su pueblo natal a los pies de las montañas del Himalaya) se la robaron en Nueva Zelanda. Cosas de la vida. Edmund Hillary, el primer hombre que escaló el Everest en 1953, le compró la que le acompaña ahora. Pushkar no tenía ni un sol.
"Voy viajando gracias a las donaciones de la gente que me da dinero, comida, alojamiento, ropa... ¡Hay gente buena en todo el mundo!", exclama con la alegría y la calma que se desprende por cada poro de su piel.
Por eso, a pesar de la nostalgia, de los momentos de hambre que a veces sufre, e incluso de las angustias vividas (en Barbados le robaron con un cuchillo y en México lo secuestraron para robarle y matarlo, logrando huir de la combi en la que lo transportaban), Pushkar lo tiene bien claro.
Source- el republica,Lima,Peru,21 october,2003
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DIANA DIEGO
El Universal. Mexico
Llega nepales a Mexico y lo asaltan
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 .. | Pushkar Shah, originario de Dolakha, Nepal, quien ha recorrido 52 países en bicicleta, quiere dejar un mensaje de paz.
El hombre de 35 años salió el 29 de noviembre de 1998 de Nepal, y el primer país que visitó fue la India En total ha recorrido 89 mil kilómetros y conocido países como Paquistán, China, Australia, Canadá y Estados Unidos.
Actualmente se encuentra en la ciudad de México Durante su viaje ha sufrido tres percances, uno en Nueva Zelanda, donde lo despojaron de todas sus pertenencias, incluyendo su bicicleta; el otro en Barbados, donde un sujeto trató de acuchillarlo, y el último en el Distrito Federal.
Este último accidente ocurrió el 3 de agosto, un día después de que pisó tierra mexicana, cerca de San Fernando "Eran las 9:15 de la noche cuando dos sujetos en una combi me secuestraron, montaron mi bicicleta y me subieron a bordo Algo me decía que estaba mal, así que en un descuido empujé al que iba del lado derecho del volante, logré salir y empecé a correr entre los cactus y nopales; no sé en dónde estaba, sólo recuerdo que llegué a unas oficinas de la policía Ellos fueron muy amables, pues al día siguiente habían recuperado todas mis pertenencias Lo único que me quedó de aquella experiencia fueron los rasguños en mis piernas y brazos por los nopales".
source- el universal, 12 August,2003,Mexico city,Mexico
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