.
.
For those of you sane enough to follow your dreams, especially if it involves cycling, this website is for you. I hope it helps you plan your trip and inspire you to do what you have to do.
.
.
Please check out the route to see if there might be a chance to meet up. I thankfully appreciate your support and encouragement. Please call me during the evening or email me at my new address
.
I found it hard to start this letter addressing you as students. First of all, I feel that I have only been able to teach you a little more than you already know. It has been you that have made all the effort to reach your goal. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to teach you, the honor of meeting you, the pleasure of talking with you. Wether intentional or not, you have been a source of inspiration, reflection and admiration, and I will take these memories with me. Secondly, Im very happy to say that you have taught me so much about yourself, this country, this culture and other things. You, as a group, have become my teacher and I'm but a student.
Please stay in-touch. I would love to hear from you in English and expect a reply with a comment or correction. Although, if you would rather not hear them, write in japanese - no Kanji please - I'm but a beginner.
If there is anything I can do for you, before, during, or after my trip please ask. Wish me luck and rest assured, I will take care in everything that I do. Your support and encouragement is appreciated. I hope you too will reach your goals and follow your dreams. Perhaps we will meet on the way, arranged or by chance, it will be a pleasant surprise. Leaving the school has been full of sadness, starting my journey will be full of joy. I hope the freedom I found will be put to good use. As for now I'm but a traveller.
.
Cycling across the country has been done before, cycling across the world has been done before. Wearing a sponsored shirt, putting the stickers on your bike, adding the logo to your webpage... its all been done before.
When I climbed Mt Fuji wearing a pair of Muji flip-flops I thought "that should do it." On second thoughts, I cant see Muji promoting dangerous footwear. They would probably think "Wow, what an idiot!" The thing is, I wasn't the only one wearing flip flops.
On second thoughts I wouldn't be happy promoting something I didn't feel stong about. I would rather promote someone organic, eccological, fair trade, independent and so on. Or a good cause like the reduction of plastic bags. Let me know what your thoughts are on this and if you are interested.
If this adventure has inspired you and you really feel that I deserve it, you can donate some money via the link bellow. After you donate, send me an email. I would like to thank you for doing so. If there is anything I can do for you, place and ad, add a link, visit you granmother on the way, just let me know.
Charles Ward needs your help to MAKE FILMS like Henoko Japan 2007, to VISITS GROUPS AND GIVE PRESENTATION, to RESEARCH AND DEVELOP WAYS TO BRING ISSUES LIKE ARTICLE 9 TO THE PUBLIC ATTENTION, to FIND OUT AND SHARE INFORMATION AND FACTS THAT WILL SWAY PUBLIC OPINION. These are the goals, lets get busy.
.
.