And I am a heck of a lot nicer than that other guy!

Heading North

Las Ramblas, Barcelona

When traveling, I have always enjoyed opportunities to visit with fellow travelers. There are always stories to be told, travel tips to be shared, and often, tender (or tough) moments that are experienced. Lynn and I had just wandered through a restaurant (Lynn wanted a table by the window) and settled on one on the sidewalk.)

We had not yet ordered when Malcolm and Sarah wheeled/walked up. Sarah said, “Malcolm, you can’t get that thing over the step,” referring to his motorized wheelchair. He said, “But the food looks good!” I invited them to sit with us at the table on the sidewalk. She said, “Are you sure? Don’t get him started telling tales.”

And our evening of fun began. Malcolm, a retired professor from England, and Sarah, a retired public school teacher from Texas, shared their humor and warmth in a most engaging way. A victim of polio, Malcolm laughs and shares his joy, and lives life to the fullest—and the pain never ceases. Sarah and Malcolm have been together just three years, yet they share the spark and magic of a lifetime of love.

We are surrounded by lives lived often so painfully, yet lives filled with hope. Laughter comes. Love flows. Hope abounds.

I really believe, when we reach out and share our resources—yes, our money, our time, a little bit of ourselves—even with people we will never meet, something good happens. Our world is better for it. So, I continue the journey toward Stockholm. I will finish the race. And hope and pray that through your kindness, some folks in Nepal, in the midst of their pain, will smile. And have hope again.

Fleur van de Put: Patron Saint of Valencia Runners!

After the frustration, anger, despair, and anxiety of last night, I needed this morning’s run. However, tossing and turning and worrying about how we will finish the trip without money while trying to sleep, doesn’t mentally or physically prepare you for a 15K run. So I walk out the door of the apartment looking for coffee and hoping this girl from Go Running Tours will be kind to a cranky old man.

No coffee, nothing open, not even early risers on the street. Good grief. It’s 7:00 a.m. Then Fleur rounded the corner. Big smile. Boundless energy. Ready to take photos, share historical insights of Valencia, and run my tired butt off!  Gracious and kind, Fleur kept my slow pace without criticism or complaint, shared water with me, and wandered with me through historical areas, along the river, out to the sea, and around the art and sciences district. By the time we returned to Plaza de la Reina, the stress and anxiety were gone and my spirit was renewed, ready to face the journey ahead! 

 

Fleur is a wonderful tour guide and running partner. A native of the Netherlands, she has found a home in Valencia and loves sharing the history, architecture, and art with other sojourners. She is currently writing a travel guide on Valencia that will share her insights and observations of the past seven years. If you are a runner, I highly recommend you spend a morning with her. You won’t regret it!  You can reach her at: valencia@gorunningtours.com. Her website is: http://gorunningtoursvalencia.com

What it feels like to be robbed.

A double bolt lock that police say was opened with a key

After an afternoon of sightseeing, we returned to our apartment. We unlocked the double bolt door at the entrance and again at the apartment that we had locked upon departure. All windows were shuttered and locked. No reason for concern. I decided to check on the train schedule and opened a secure pouch I had hidden in our luggage. Our money was in this pouch. It was gone. All of it. US dollars. Euros. The money I have saved for two years for this trip. A significant amount. Stolen.

We walked over to the University and asked a receptionist to call the apartment manager since our Sprint phone does not work in Europe and we do not speak Spanish. The manager reported to the receptionist that it was not her concern. She refused to give us her name. She told the receptionist that we could leave.

Riding in the back of a police car. They were so polite!

We filed a report with the Valencia police. In their investigation, they confirmed that there was no forced entry into the apartment and that someone with a key had to have entered by the door. They repeatedly tried to call the phone numbers listed on the envelope, but received voice messages saying the phones were not in service.

So, here we are in Europe with nothing but the credit card we were trying to avoid using (those of you who travel know ATM fees, international transactional fees, higher interest rates, all add up). Because we have only the Euro’s that were in my pocket, we decided to use the ATM. It ate our card. (We discovered that in Europe, all credit cards have a “chip”. U.S. issued Chase Bank cards, even though they are advertised as “international” cards, do not. Hence, not accepted and confiscated by the ATM.)

So, I guess I should amend the above. Here we are in Europe, wanting to share goodwill

professionally and voluntarily through interculturalist conference, and Marathon running for a cause… with nothing. Nada. Zip. to travel on. We called the kids and said send money. 10s and 20s in a brown paper bag.

This hurts. It’s a major financial setback. I am mad. At myself. At invisible others. I feel violated. Defeated. Depressed. Anxious. Angry. Did I mention I am mad?

But what about Pinky Malla. And Shikhar’s family. And Sumi Thakuri. 

Those folks were robbed of their home. Their livelihood. Some were robbed of the life of a loved one. A friend. A child. A mom. I can’t imagine their heartache. Their anger. Their despair. If you are reading this, please help. Not me. Them. Our friends in Nepal. They need our support. Now.

Anticipation

I'll never survive the week before the race!

Arriving in Valencia Spain to attend the SIETAR Europa Conference (ADIET Fundacio Universitat Empresa) is filled with anticipation and expectation. I am looking forward to meeting peers and learning about cutting edge practices and processes in the field of intercultural communication and management. I am also looking forward to “running with the bulls” –not really, but it least running on the streets where the bulls used to run. 

Where the bulls used to run.

Marta Williams, as keynote speaker shared stories of her grandfather and the development of business in the 20^th Century, ending with thoughts on one planet, one chance at destiny. My thoughts wandered between her butterfly analogy and my friends in Nepal who are still digging out of the rubble of substandard housing and infrastructure.

I guess the question is, ”Does any one person really make a difference?” Marta says YES! I want to believe her.

Heart to Heart International in Nepal-Latest Update

While the Heart to Heart International medical team is in the mountains of Nepal treating survivors of the earthquake, their Operations Hub in Olathe has been buzzing with activity as 15 tons of relief supplies have been gathered, stacked, pallet’ed and now picked up by FedEx for shipment to Nepal. 

100% of your contributions in support of my Marathon run help make those supplies possible! Thanks! #Nepalearthquake, #StockholmMarathon

Success in Nepal relief won't come cheap

Success in Nepal relief won't come cheap  Helping is always complicated, but so important! We should not be discouraged, but determined to engage in meaningful ways that bring support and healing. Heart to Heart is doing it's share. You and I can help them. 

Men of Action for Nepal!

Can We Paint Them RED?

The Bucket List

A few years ago, I put on my bucket list that I wanted to participate in a marathon on every continent by the time I was 75. Well, except for Antarctica. An old man has to know his limits! Every marathon was to be a fundraiser for some worthy cause! Love what you do. Live life. Have fun. AND take care of others along the way is how I have tried to live so far. So.

North America? Been there. Done that. Last one? 2009. So, in 2012, I signed up for a marathon in Seoul Korea. During a training run I was clipped by a pickup truck on a street near my home. Asia marathon didn’t happen. Months later, with therapy, lots of love and support, and the determination to run again, I began training. In 2014, I registered for the St. Petersburg Marathon. I was thrilled! Russian-Ukraine conflict canceled that trip (parts of the trip would have taken me into Western Russia, Eastern Ukraine. We were advised not to go.) United Airlines stole $1730.00 of my money. ("United cannot be held responsible for any misinformation that may be given by a United representative." Yes. That’s a quote from United Customer Service.) So, Europe marathon… nope.

I’m running out of time… and money. So, 2015. Stockholm here I come! The devastation in Nepal (a country in which I have never traveled, but do have friends I love dearly) clearly is on my mind. They need my help. So, my fundraising efforts go their way.

Still loving. Still living. Still running. 

#give4Nepal, #nepalearthquake, #StockholmMarathon

Heart to Heart International in Nepal

The death toll in Nepal is climbing toward 10,000 and will likely continue to rise. Thousands more are injured and remain unaccounted for. The 7.8 magnitude quake was powerful enough to rock the Himalayas, causing avalanches on Mt. Everest, bring tragedy and destruction to countless climbing parties. In the capital city of Kathmandu – homes, businesses  Christian churches, Buddhist temples, Hindu temples and historic cultural structures have collapsed, burying people.  There have been multiple powerful aftershocks.  The devastation in surrounding villages is unimaginable. 

I have personal Nepali friends living in Katmandu and the surrounding villages. One of my friends living in Kansas City, Shikhar Sherchan, has family in Lawrence Ks., Katmandu and near the epicenter. They need our help. Their families need our help. Their fellow Nepalis need our help.

So, I am beginning a campaign to support Heart to Heart International. 


This Olathe Kansas based nonprofit organization that has been helping those in need for over forty years. They are credible. They have an outstanding record. They make a difference!

Their medical team is deploying into a remote area where people have had no aid. Yet.
Help us respond to this unfolding disaster in Nepal by donating to Heart to Heart International. 

To make a donation to Heart to Heart International click here.