Day 5 Photos

tse ring with me day of 4

Photos Day 4

Last Post, Thank You

I would like to again thank everyone who helped make this trip possible, many of the people I can not name, you know who you are. Everyone gave 110% of their faculties and efforts, it was amazing how much love, support and care we were given. We have all made it back to New York safely, and feel a tremendous amount of goodness about the whole walk. I personally feel we have made a difference. When we were in Washington DC, we were told that the Chinese Embassador called up New York Rep. Nita Lowey and was very upset about the protests. This is very good news and shows we had some impact. Also we received lots of support from the Senators and Representatives we met with. This walk was the best thing I have ever done in my whole life, I wish that the situation in Tibet gets better. I cannot speak for the other Peace Walkers since they are not here with me, but I am sure they wish for the same. Thank you everyone again. Please feel free to keep commenting on the blog and I will do my best to respond. This has been an amazing journey that had added to the fight for a Free and Peaceful Tibet. Thank You

-M

Day 18 - Apr 16, 2008 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We woke up the next morning at the Wangdi's home. We drove over towards Independence Hall and stopped for some breakfast. Thank you Tsering Wangdi for the meal. After this we headed to the park in between the National Convention Center and Independence Hall. The Convention Center was where they were to hold the Presidential debates between Clinton and Obama. Tsering had organized a large protest with his Tibetan Association of Philadelphia. They set up a large platform with signs and flags and brought in food and drinks for everyone. About 300 protestors showed up. Many people spoke. Jigme Logro Rinpoche and I had been asked to speak the night before. Rinpoche spoke first and than I. I was very nervous but was able to get my point across. There was tremendous support. Also there were three news helicopters flying over head and lots of media on the ground taking footage. The day was very amazing. After this we headed back home to New York City, Tsewang drove us the whole way, thanks again Tsewang. Thanks again to all of the proestors for showing your support and the Tibetan Organization of Philadelphia and other Tibetan Organizations for bringing everyone together.

-Mikell

Day 17 - Apr 15, 2008 - Washington DC

Our next day in DC started off rocky. We left the home of the Taglahgyal Family and were heading for a meeting with some more representatives. We ended up hitting bad traffic on the way into DC. I was driving and let everyone out when we got to the Cannon Building. I tried to find parking and eventually found a spot. I tried to meet back up with the group but was unable to contact any of them. They told me later on about there day, they had met up again with Tenchou and VP of the Washington DC Tibet Association, Sonam Lhamo. They met four more congressman representatives and handed them our documents on the Tibet Crisis. The day was very productive. After this I met back up with the group and we headed off towards Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. That day we met back up with the Wangdi family, and they provided us again with food and housing. Thank you again to the Wangdi Family for you generosity and a special thanks to Tsering Wangdi for his efforts and kindness.

Day 16 - Apr 14, 2008 - Washington DC

We took off in the morning from the home of the Dechen Gyamtso family and headed over to pick up Yeshe and Dorje from the Taglahgyal Family. Thank you again for the food and housing. We really appreciated it. After everybody was back in the van we headed back over to the Chinese Embassy. From their we headed over to Capitol Hill. At Capitol hill we were accompanied by Tenchou, whose Uncle is the Dalai Lama. We were also accompanied by the Vice Presdient of the Tibetan Association of Washington D.C., Sonam Lhamo. We than had brief meetings with multiple congressional representative's and senator's staff members. Along the way we met with associates of Rep. Nita M. Lowey of New York, associates of U.S. Senator Gordon H. Smith of Oregon, also with a representative of Senator Hillary R. Clinton. I will update this later and add the photos. I have to run. Sorry about the delay in posts, we have a tight schedule. Thanks

-Mikell