01 November 2015

Hi,
I'm writing emails to SOS Children's Village and Build Africa organization. I will update the information when I get their response back.
Thank you for your supporting!

25 October 2015

The Route

Oct 25th, 2015
(Click to see image)

Leg 1: North America (Missouri, USA ----> Panama, Panama)
     USA - Mexico - Belize - Guatemala - El Salvador - Honduras - Nicaragua - Costa Rica - Panama. (9)
     It's a good start since I used to ride in America, and there are only two popular languages that people speak: English and Spanish.
     Distance: 4394 miles (7071 km)

Leg 2: Europe & a little bit Asia (London, England ----> Istanbul, Turkey)
     UK - France - Switzerland - Italy - Germany - Austria - Hungary - Romania - Serbia - Bulgaria - Turkey. (11)
     This one should be the shortest trip in comparison to the rest since it has the best road's condition for any vehicle. Plus, the price for food here cost more.
     Distance: 2460 miles (3959 km)

Leg 3: Africa (Cairo, Egypt ----> Cape Town, South Africa)
     Egypt - Sudan - Eritrea - Ethiopia - Kenya - Tanzania - Malawi - Mozambique - Zimbabwe - Botswana - South Africa. (11)
     It's the longest one and also my favorite. I hope the fundraising money can be used to build the school(s) here.
     Distance: 6163 miles (9919 km)

Leg 4: Asia (New Delhi, India ----> Vietnam)
     India - Nepal - Bhutan - Myanmar - Thailand - Laos - Vietnam. (7)
     The long way to home. When I get back to Vietnam, I want to ride across the cities where my friends and my families live to greet them. It'll have been 5 years at that time. Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quy Nhon, and tp Ho Chi Minh. All of them!
     Distance: 4118 miles (6627 km)

Total distance: 17135 miles (27576 km) ~ 18000 miles (in case I get lost)

Duration: 336 days (from June 2017 to May 2018). By going 60 miles/day, I would be able to finish the trip in 300 days, which gives me extra 36 days for being sick, late or being robbed. Not bad, ha?

Countries: 38. Yeah, I know I'm gonna have a hard time with my visas...

18 October 2015

"... a beautiful place as it is..."
Oct 18th, 2015
     I'm a quiet guy. In class, I'm not the brightest student. In a group, I'm not the most active person either. I do, however, like to observe things around me. Everything.
     I could sit all day just to watch people passing by, to see who is rushing or slowing, to guess what they are about to do, and to notice all kinds of expression on the faces. I listen to the sound of people talking, of birds singing, of winds blowing, or of leaves whispering. Every time I have a chance to observe life around me, I pick a spot not too high and not too far to get the view. Of course, I do stretch or walk around sometimes, so if you are worry about my health for sitting all day, don't be. It is the curiosity that leads me to want to discover the meaning of everything in my life. I do believe everyone, at least once in their life, has questioned themselves about the meaning of life. I haven't found the answer yet, to be honest. But there is one thing I'm certain about life. It's supposed to be appreciated.
     Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson - a well-known American astrophysicist and cosmologist - was once asked about what was the most astounding fact in the universe in an interview. He answered it was the awareness of the atoms which constitute our human body came from the universe. He said it indicated that we were a part of this universe, and that's why when he looked up to the night sky, unlike others who felt small, he felt big. Now when I think about his words, I realize I'm a part of this life too, and yet I'm still unable to witness all of its angles. I felt small.
     You may say I'm a daydreamer, but I think we all dream about the better things. Some dream about a happy life with their family. Some may dream of being successful or being normal. Few dream about having a decent place to sleep, and fewer dream of drinking clean water. I never want to change the world. It's already a beautiful place as it is and I want to make it better. By cycling around the world, I could see the world for myself. I could talk to strangers with a dictionary in my hand. I could sleep in a tent under billions of stars or in a house of hospitable local people. I could taste the food they eat every day, wear clothes they made, or learn about their cultures. I may not found the answer(s) during the trip, but I'm sure I will enjoy the ride because life is worth observing.
 

     I'm also trying to fund raise money for the trip. All of the money will be dedicated to providing education for children. I'm still developing this idea, but it could be about building school or library for kids in developing countries. The act may have a small impact on a community, but I hope it could inspire others. This is what I dream about.

Next post: Planning the plan.

11 October 2015

"I want to be a surgeon. Go around the world. Help people."
Oct 11th, 2015
     I'm a pre-med student and currently a junior in college. Three years ago, I came to the U.S with my mom and my brother. I decided to follow my dream at the first day of college - becoming a surgeon. "But why?". I ask myself this question a lot and... a lot.
     Back in Vietnam, when I was still a kid, we had many programs that operated free surgeries for poor kids who had cleft palate or congenital heart disease. These operations were performed by outstanding surgeons coming mostly from the U.S and France. As the result, they brought smiles and healthy lives to many children. What a wonderful ability a person could achieve, isn't it? There are still many reasons that lead to why I want what I want as today, but the programs and these surgeons are truly my inspiration. So, when my first-grade teacher asked us what we wanted to become when we grew up, I already had the answer. I want to be a surgeon. Go around the world. Help people.
     It's going to be really difficult. I know. Understanding how the human body works and being able to identify the problems when something happens is a serious matter, but nothing is impossible as long as I work hard and believe in myself.

Next post: I want to cycle around the world.