After three days of rainstorms, breakdowns and wrong turns, the Rickshaw Run is officially under way–I guess there’s no turning back now, right?
As I type this, I’m sitting in a little one-room internet cafe in Siliguri, India–a rat has just darted past my feet and a fan moves hot air around me over head. It’s hard to believe we’ve already covered 590 kilometers–only 2,100 more to go. Our little rickshaw–which we’ve pimped with Mexican, US and UK flags as well as part of a globe on the front–has proven to be a trooper.
Unbelievably, we’ve yet to have a breakdown–unless you count running out of petrol on our very way to the launch site Sunday morning. The Adventurists’ man-on-the-ground Matt asked the rickshaw coordinator to find us a “decent one,” and while I doubted at the time that one actually existed, ours just might be one after all! But only time will tell…
After several teams warned us that an all-girl team shouldn’t dream of crossing the state of Bihar alone, we managed to hook up with another team called the Illegal Immigrants–an Australian, an Indian and an Irishman all living in Belfast. Amazingly, they all have motorcycles and are pretty much geniuses when it comes to rickshaw repair. Leaking petrol tube? Wobbly front wheel? Strange squeaking noise? No worries, mate.
As we approached Guwahati our first night, we bumped into (not literally…) a third team called the Blue Camels–three guys from Bahrain named Hisham, Hisham and Tariq. [Check out their fantastic website for more updates on the trip! They’ve been far more detailed than I can manage before the cyber cafe closes…] The Camels have joined up with us as well, making for a great convoy of three teams.
Our base for tonight, Siliguri, is a kind of junction point–it’s from here that Nepal-bound teams will set off in a different direction from those of us heading south through West Bengal, Bihar and then Uttar Pradesh to Varanasi. Siliguri also leads up to Darjeeling, which I’m gutted we won’t be hitting up due to the steep incline.
But even as we approached the city tonight, Citlalli pointed out a hint of snow-capped hills in the distance–the Himalayas. It was an epic moment.
We’re off through West Bengal tomorrow…more updates to come soon, I hope!
Argh, I envy you so much right now. It’s raining here in London and you’re adventuring India in a rickshaw!!
Hey Katherina! Thanks so much for saying hello 🙂 Sorry to hear about rainy Londontown–it was like that when I left as well! How has the move gone? Hope you’re loving it so far, despite the rain… We’re in Varanasi today taking a day off, and then back on the road tomorrow!
Great. I’ am holding my thumbs for you. Wish I could go too.
Hi Ellen! Thanks so much for your comment and for the well wishes–I definitely appreciate it 🙂 It’s been an amazing adventure so far–hard to believe how fast we’re moving through India…have you had a chance to visit the country before?
I am SO PROUD OF YOU RIGHT NOW!!!! Insane. Intense. Incredible. I promise you a girl’s pampering spa day when you come home. Can’t wait to hear and see more. EYES WIDE OPEN!!!! xoxoxoxo
I will take you up on that!! (For once, right? 🙂 It’s been everything you just said–insane/intense/etc etc! We’ve finally reached Varanasi and are having a “day of rest” today–Nembi and I took a boat ride this morning for sunrise and sailed along the ghats…the steps that lead down to the Ganghes on which the pilgrims come to bathe every day. It’s crazy stuff! Can’t wait to tell you more–will call tonight 🙂 xoxo
soo…. is that sweat on your trousers, Candace?? Sounds like a challenging but amazing time thus far!
Do any of those belfast boys have dreamy irish accents?
Haha I know it looks like it! While part of it most definitely was, it was mostly due to the lovely torrential downpour we drove through for two hours…as well as hopped out to push our rickshaw through 🙂 You’ve nailed it with challenging and amazing–it’s been both, often at the same time…can’t believe we’re already halfway through! How’ve you been? How was Morocco?! Sorry to be so out of touch, will send you an update once the run is over 🙂
hey guys where r u rt nw … wish all of u best of luck. i saw you when u r in westbengal near jalpaiguri… whats ur perpose in this run????
Hey Manav! Great to hear from you. The run has sadly ended–so my teammate and many of my friends have made their way back to London. I’m still in India until mid-December, currently making my way down the eastern coast 🙂 The purpose of the run itself was two-fold: to have a crazy adventure across the country, but also to raise money for Frank Water Projects and other charities. Thanks again for your comment!