TravelStream™ news feed for member shawnsmith on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/shawnsmith en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sun, 08 Jul 2007 06:35:47 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1183890780/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1183890780/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1183890780/tpod.html Sun, 08 Jul 2007 06:35:47 -0400 Agents of Change - Riding to Break the Cycle

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Hermosillo, Mexico

In the middle of emotional goodbyes, frantic packing and planning for the homeward journey, and contemplation over what comes next for many of us, a group of eight riders set out into the Mexican night on an overnight bus for Hermosillo. This medium sized city set in the desert is a solid 12 hours southeast of Tijuana, and is home to a regional office for ADMIC, one of the microcredit organizations we expect to partner with through Kiva. They made great efforts to welcome us and ensure our group could experience the implementation and effects of microcredit on the ground in this city. In a setting dominated by the pounding sun (40 degrees in the shade?!?!?) Hector from ADMIC arranged for a couple of vehicles to take us from the hotel to their local office where we had a chance to pepper them with as many questions as we could come up with. With none of the local staff speaking English, and only Keely and I to translate the process was....bumpy, at times, but we learned a lot about the daily operations necessary to keep this system running. From interest rates (5% range) to loan structures ($100-$2000, 6-12 months, flexibility when the situation dictates), to client base (largely urban, confined to <50 K around the office), to where funding comes from (mixture of commercial loans, Kiva, government support, working capital) to the employees' motives for working there and more we were given free run of the office.We later set back out into the scorching sun to visit several local businesses succeeding in part with the assistance of microloans - the experience was as powerful as anything I've personally been through. After months and months of speaking about microcredit, extolling its simplicity, its power to help people shape their lives for the better, discussing the importance and necessity of providing people with simple access and the opportunity improve the lot of their families...it all snapped home. I mean, we knew it was true, we believed intensely in the cause....but it was REALLY true. To see the results directly in front of us, to witness the pride each of these people had in their successful efforts to support their families, and to hear it directly from them, shredded any last doubts we may have had.Over the course of an entire day we visited 1) a tiny street vendor, 2) a polished corner store, 3) a small tienda in a street marker, 4) a tire sales and repair shop, 5) a glass maker/artisan, and 6) a family tortilla making operation run from a small house - all built partly or in whole through microcredit loans, often several loans over time as original ones were paid back.Our little crew had an amazing time in Hermosillo, the capital of the state of Sonora and a bustling marketplace in the day, but perfectly sleepy and seemingly almost deserted in the evening. A short but intensely powerful experience, a sharp reminder of what this was all about, the perfect wrap-up to a challenging journey of personal growth, and something none of us will soon forget.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1183890480/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1183890480/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1183890480/tpod.html Sun, 08 Jul 2007 06:30:48 -0400 Agents of Change - Riding to Break the Cycle

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Tijuana, Mexico

Well that's it for the official AOC part of the journey. We rode the final stretch into Tijuana this morning, had a drink, some lunch, relaxed a bit, and back to camp to see some of the first to leave off. Eight of us bought tickets for Hermosillo to go check out a microcredit group there to get a better feel for the on the ground workings of this cause we are supporting - 12 hours overnight tonight to get there! Liz (Agent Mom), Gaby and Jess have already set out in one vehicle for home, Aaron and Christine are on the way as well with a friend, and the rest will trickle out in the next few days. Its been an adventure and I can't even explain how overwhelming it is to be finished all of a sudden....no tent tonight....no bike tomorrow....The comments, emails and myspace notes have been flying in, so much love to all who have been supporting along the way. Can't wait to see everyone soon, -Shawn
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1181298300/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1181298300/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1181298300/tpod.html Sun, 08 Jul 2007 06:26:56 -0400 Agents of Change - Riding to Break the Cycle

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San Diego, California, United States

WHAT?!? We're HERE? We're HERE!Its hard to believe we've been on the road for over 5 weeks, but here we are! We've arrived safe and sound south of San Diego and just have a short hop to the border tomorrow and we've officially made it. We've had two MONSTER days to get all the way through LA and down this far, but it seems our hardcore training of the last month or so has left us up to the challenge. So...its almost over...Did our bodies take a beating to make it this far? Yes. Did we all get along all the time? Uhhh, no.  Do we all leave with a lot of respect for eachother, and some incredible new friends? Yup.Was it easy? No. Was it supposed to be? Nope.I feel so priveleged to have gone through this with the group that we have. So many diverse world views and personalities, all driven to be a part of this for their own reasons, and all coming together to accomplish something amazing. We learned a lot on this journey as people were challenged physically and mentally day in and day out - each person pushed to their limit at one time or another. As an organization we learned a LOT about how to organize a major event like this, and in many instances, how not to.Its a big, big world and everyone is leaving their mark in their own way, leaving the world a little better, or worse, for their involvement. For ALL its bumps and hurdles, all its highs and lows, this ride and this group, have added their weight for the better. An inspiration to all they came across, and to all they know on the home front and each a leader in this world whether they know it (or like it) or not.We still have an event in San Diego tomorrow evening, and some of us will spend a couple of days further heading further into Mexico to check out a microcredit operation on the ground in Hermosillo. Past that we'll all be seeing you soon whether by plane, train or automobile but for now, and as always, much love and appreciation for your support. Paz, -Shawn
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1180692540/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1180692540/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1180692540/tpod.html Tue, 12 Jun 2007 06:11:16 -0400 Agents of Change - Riding to Break the Cycle

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San Luis Obispo, California, United States

Just wanted to say hello from our lunch stop of the day, San Luis Obispo. We rocked out the first 40 miles or so by 1 in the afternoon so the crew has taken the opportunity to be productive - we split the group kind of randomly with one crowd heading to the library to work on an event for San Diego being organized by Mark and Laird largely, one pod hit the town with flyers and bracelets for an awareness blitz, and some headed off to take care of groceries and printing a new run of flyers.Camp is about 15 miles away which we've now taken to thinking of as a peddle in the park so no-one is in much of a rush to push out. Old San Luis Obispo is beautiful and we've seen plenty of campsites recently so no rush to check out the one down the road. Group spirits are good in general with a few fairly easy days lately giving people a chance to chill out a bit (after a crazy stretch of long, late days). Bodies are definitely paying the price for weeks on a bike - nothing major but constant aches and unhappy muscles for many is the constant lately.Been a good day, better get back on the bike before we get TOO relaxed though. Talk soon!PS We WILL be posting tons of pictures but they're on a select few computers and never the one's we're blogging from apparently. Promise, soon :-)
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1179389520/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1179389520/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1179389520/tpod.html Sun, 27 May 2007 04:30:39 -0400 Agents of Change - Riding to Break the Cycle

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Brookings, Oregon, United States

Hello hello again! We write this from a very generous church in Brookings, Oregon, less than an hours ride from the California border. We've (once again) come across a group of people of such astounding generosity it makes our heads spin and after being given the run of the place, cooked for (who invites TWENTY-SEVEN people to dinner on 8 hours notice?!?!?), and inspired all over again people are doing some well deserved re-charging for the days ahead.The group took an unexpected rest day yesterday after the pace we had been maintaining simply wore portions of the group down to exhaustion and it became clear that unity and energy weren't going to survive without a re-charge. This significantly complicated the route as we 1) NEEDED a rest and were pushing somewhat too fast for a portion of the group, 2) NEED to make it to San Fran in time for their critical mass on the 25th, and 3) have many people that consider it critical that they ride every kilometer of the journey with taking any rides to save time. With an early commitment to consensus decision making what followed was a fairly arduous process of coming up with a solution that would accomodate all people. Despite the frustrations felt by many in the group, the process was fascinating (for me anyway) and we managed to come to a solution that left all 27 people involved feeling listened to, respected, and understood, if not resulting in everyone's ideal outcome. We will be pushing forward for the next 9 days, with no rest day, through some fairly difficult terrain - those that wish to keep their rest day will be driven ahead one day to relax and catch up on sanity while those that wish to ride every kilometre will ride through this day to meet up again. All will continue to have the option of taking a mobile rest day in the RV if necessary, all will arrive in San Fran together for critical mass on the 25th!We're learning a lot and the pace we've kept is probably quite suitable to completing a ride to Mexico, but often leaves people too drained to attack some of the things that really matter such as awareness in areas we pass through. We had a fantastic meeting tonight to tackle ways of further improving our impact both during and after riding days and came up with a ton of creative ways to diversify our approach. The group is really coming together and its pretty funny now to head into a town and try to introduce our group or cause to people and find that half the town has already spoken with someone or learned about us second or third hand already!So we now have a solidified route, some crazy bike riding muscles coming together, and an ever improving group sense of purpose and drive. We're super stoked to be hitting San Fran for a massive AOC/KIVA weekend, and everything is running smoother by the day. Not to say that a group this size doesn't have its challenges or that trying to accomplish something like this is anything approaching easy, but this is a pretty special group of people. As always, we could never do this without all your support, much love,Shawnwww.agentsofchange.ca
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1180253940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1180253940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1180253940/tpod.html Sun, 27 May 2007 04:30:05 -0400 Agents of Change - Riding to Break the Cycle

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San Francisco, California, United States

Only have a few minutes as we're running out of the hostel but just wanted to tell everyone that San Fran ROCKS! We made it in time for critical mass yesterday and it was unreal. Best intro to a city ever - guided tour with over a thousand other cyclist friends&nbsp;as we peddled over 30 K around town for hours having a blast. So much fun, a beautiful city, and the people so far are fantastic. We absolutely blitzed the place with flyers, t-shirts and bracelets and it was hard to find anyone anywhere near the mass that didn't know about us by the time it was all over!We're staying in a hostel downtown; pretty posh compared to our usual digs and its a luxury to have so many food options and the other comforts that come with a city. Today is an off day for the crew and everyone is currently scattered far and wide as I write this - touring Alcatraz, checking out Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf, shopping or seeking out some of the street festivals. Probably all sounds a bit cushy for the mission we're on but trust me this group has earned it! The last few weeks have been hard fought as we all learn together what it takes to pull something like this together (I think we're learning?), and I'm pretty excited to see what the next couple of weeks holds as we roll for the border. Still our big Kiva event to come here tomorrow&nbsp; <img class=wp-smiley alt=:-) src="http://www.agentsofchange.ca/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif"> As always, all our love from the road to everyone supporting and thanks so much to those that have been writing, donating, and thinking about us. Shawnwww.agentsofchange.ca
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1179821640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1179821640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1179821640/tpod.html Sun, 27 May 2007 04:29:33 -0400 Agents of Change - Riding to Break the Cycle

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Fort Bragg, California, United States

Hello all,I am sitting in a funky cafe in a funky Northern California town.&nbsp; We are about 200 miles north of&nbsp;San Francisco.&nbsp; Today was the much dreaded&nbsp;Legett Hill or better known by us as "Death mountain".&nbsp; It is the highest climb of the entire&nbsp;trip at 2000 ft.&nbsp;&nbsp;It went better then anticipated but I think its safe to say 2.5 weeks of riding helped prepare us in a fairly major way.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sean and myself&nbsp;visited this cafe earlier in the day and met an individual worthy of mention named Ron Cameron.&nbsp; Ron came over and talked to us at great length, gave us a generous donation, and introduced us to his daughter Katrina from Los Angeles, who built her own bike down there.&nbsp; She is planning on coming to our mass ride and bringing some folks with her, which is awesome.&nbsp;The day after Brookings was intense.&nbsp; It was 70&nbsp;miles of pedaling and featured 2 very steep hills.&nbsp; I think everyone was relieved to see the "Welcome to California" sign.&nbsp; What a milestone!&nbsp; All I remember about that day was riding with Liz and Gaby's friend, Anker, who had come down from Seattle for a couple of days. I had to put every ounce of strength i had into keeping up with this 60 year old buff cyclist and was exhausted by the end of the day!&nbsp;The next day we rode to Eureka,&nbsp;and stayed at a KOA.&nbsp; It was hard to believe we were camping when&nbsp;we had cabins, a hot tub, wireless internet, and a game room.&nbsp; I think everyone needed the hot tub to relax our sore muscles though.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The scenery just keeps getting more beautiful.&nbsp; For the last couple of days we have been biking through miles and miles of giant ancient redwoods.&nbsp; The weather is becoming more consistently beautiful (knock on wood).&nbsp; Only 3 more days until the much anticipated critical mass in San Francisco.&nbsp; Will try to do more blogging thereDylan and Agents of Changewww.agentsofchange.ca
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1180165140/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1180165140/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1180165140/tpod.html Sun, 27 May 2007 04:01:57 -0400 Agents of Change - Riding to Break the Cycle

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Port Orford, United States

Just a quick note from the side of the road, literally! We're stopped for lunch about 20 kilometres short of Port Orford, Oregon having lunch in a library parking lot and lo and behold - internet! Just thought we'd say a quick hello and let everyone know we're doing well. We've been churning through Oregon on our new legs of steel and only have two days until we're into California.The whole group is feeling the burn a bit, not so much from long individual days but just the cumulative effect of "cycle-eat-cycle-eat-meeting-sleep-repeat." Spirits are high, and we're still talking to SO many amazing people - the support from random people we encounter along the route is amazing and one great conversation in a coffee shop is often enough to give me that boost of energy needed for the rest of the day. The crew I've been riding with has been having espresso and Sudoku puzzle breaks every afternoon and one of the highlights is definitely having a chance to bond with such an amazing group of people.Unfortunately no photos on this comp at the moment but you'll have to take our word for it that the Oregon coast has been STUNNING. Rolling hills, beautiful forested campsites, massive dunes, rocky shores and wildlife - amazing to be able to take it in at the slower pace of cycling.Going to be left behind here as the last of the crew sets out for the night's accomodation but will be in touch soon. Much love to all!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1178849940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1178849940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1178849940/tpod.html Sat, 26 May 2007 22:21:10 -0400 Agents of Change - Riding to Break the Cycle

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Manzanita, United States

Our first day off has finally arrived and we have embraced it with open arms! Last night was a campfire, bottles of wine, guitar and endless stars! After our first sleep in this morning we have split, some of us are doing laundry, some hanging out in Cannon Beach, some found internet and others are hunting down free surf gear. Yesterdays ride was nice and short but adventurous for me and Sean. Sean's seat broke so I hung out with him while the others pods rode to camp until the tools came. Him and I then headed off towards camp in our new 2 person pod (pod sexy). It was about half way up a 800ft climb when my chain derailed and one of the links got mutilated. We tried fixing it with pliers with out any success so I finished the mountain going very slowly letting my chain jump gears at its own will. At the top we were admiring the view when a lovely couple appeared out of nowhere. They showed us a trail that starts from just over the brink and leads down to a point that when you are on the edge of it feels like you have found the end of the world. The waves crash 800ft below you and as you look into the distance the ocean and sky blend into one. Once back at the look out we were making our plan of action as to how to get down the hill without a working chain when Megan and Laird showed up with a chain tool- they cycled from camp back up the mountain to help us! After we took the link out it was smooth riding from there into camp. Have to run, more to come...Gabriellewww.agentsofchange.ca
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1180231980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1180231980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/shawnsmith/rtbtc-2007/1180231980/tpod.html Sat, 26 May 2007 22:19:02 -0400 Agents of Change - Riding to Break the Cycle

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Manzanita, United States

HI! So, we crossed a state...in 5 days...on bicycles. For a group of largely novice cyclists we were running into this with eyes closed for the most part and its been absolutely amazing to see how people have adapted and improved. We're conquering hills hourly all day long that would have seemed nearly impossible just a week or two ago, and we can actually feel our bodies getting stronger (sometimes!). We're constantly running into amazing people that are acting in their own ways to change the world for the better, and constantly being reminded by everyone we meet that what we're doing is something extraordinary!We have an off day today and I think we really needed it as people have been pushing pretty hard. The last few days have been fairly short and easy, but the several before that were pretty rough with TONS of massive hill climbs. Group dynamics have been interesting to see play out with some strong leaders stepping forward to help with organizing and logistics and everyone getting alone quite well for the most part. There are inevitable disagreements or just plain cranky people (me, today, haha) but that is a pretty predictable bi-product of the types of physical and mental stress this crew is putting itself under. Its really an incredible group, and you can see everyone's strengths coming to the front as we really get to know one another and have more time to bond through this shared test.The moms have been absolutely ASTOUNDINGLY supportive and we simply wouldn't have survived this far without them. The first few days were fairly chaotic as we essentially tried to wing it through all of northern Washington and quickly learned thats just not possible with a group this size - the ONLY thing that kept us on the rails were the tireless efforts of these amazing people - Liz, Isabel, Karin, Jessica, and Jeremy (honorary mom) - with some boosts from injured or tired riders who jumped right in to help with logistics when unable to ride (thanks Amy and Annie!!).Miss you all - we'll be riding again for the next week or so with the next rest day in Northern California <img class=wp-smiley alt=:-) src="http://www.agentsofchange.ca/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif"> Lots of stories to come, will work hard to get more pics and videos up soon, and expect a route map up any day! Much love,Shawn www.agentsofchange.ca
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