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April 28 - May 1, 2000
Our stay at Stanford University began on Friday evening, April 28day four of the walk. After meeting with our host, Justin Vandenbroucke, at his dormitory Roble Hall, where he lives, we moved all of our gear into a downstairs commons area called the Zoo Room. Here we were given access to two study rooms, a kitchen, a laundry facility and a break-room complete with a large screen TV.
Just behind the dorm was a large reservoir-type lake, which made for even more pleasant surroundings on an already beautiful campus. Friday evening we were hosted by the Stanford Friends of Tibet to a cook out on the shores of the lake. Burgers, hotdogs and chicken breasts were the main course, with cheese and vegetable platters offered, too. Once again we were being well taken care of in the culinary department.
Following the meal, Techung from Chak-sum-pa came with his three beautiful little girls and played a few Tibetan songs for us. I donıt know which was more enjoyable, his music or the company of his little girls, in any case it was a fun evening.
Walking during the day on Friday and the next two days would have us following El Camino Realan extremely long and well traveled highway that flows along the peninsula. There was plenty of traffic, with many people responding to our "Honk for Tibet" sign. Even still we had many people joining us every day. By the end of the afternoon on Sunday there were some 35 walkers, with one bicyclist following along too.
Walking in larger crowds keeps up the morale and makes the day go much faster. Thanks to all who have joined us.
Also, our media response has continued to be excellent. We had a story and photo published in the San Mateo County Times, the largest newspaper in the country, and a feature photo published in the San Jose Mercury News, which is probably one of the top 10 newspapers in the country. Voice of America and Voice of Tibet radio programs continue to call on almost a daily basis. Another story with photos should be coming out in a local weekly newspaper next week.
Again Saturday night we were hosted for another cookout by members of the Stanford Friends before we headed over to our Stanford program, which included the Tibetıs Stolen Child movie screening and panel discussions. (Click here for full report.)
Sunday evening we were hosted to dinner by friends of Pa-Tenzin-La, our eldest walker. Sonam Topgyal and his wife Norzin took us to a wonderful and extremely authentic Indian restaurant that offered an excellent buffet. Buffets actually work extremely well for such a large crowd. Sending an order into a restaurant kitchen for 17+ people would probably take an hour or more to come back. We ate well to say the least.
A side note about walking on Sunday. Jeff Napier, ITIM Member-at-Large, and I were more than delighted to have Sundayıs walk end at Apple Computer headquarters. Unfortunately our call to them the next day revealed that they do not make monetary or equipment donations.
Monday night brought some of the best news on the walk so far. Most of the walkers went to see Palden Gyatso, a Tibetan Monk and former political prisoner of 33 years, speak on the Stanford campus. Following his presentation, he informed us that he would be leading the Southern Leg of the March for Tibetıs Independence 2000. We were all very excited to here the news.
San Francisco send off rocks walkers' world
A thousand thank yous would not be enough praise for the hospitality, hard work and generosity of the Bay Area Tibetan Community. Without question the first days of the March for Tibet's Independence would not have been a success without our Tibetan and local Tibet Support Group friends.
It all began the minute we came into their care Saturday evening, April 22. We were their honored guests at a very special eventTibetan Heritage Day in Berkeley. The event featured a local dance troop of Tibetan children who amazed us with their talent.
We enjoyed front row seating with such esteemed guests as the Mayor of Berkeley, Shirley Dean, and her husband and Berkeley Councilmember Kriss Worthington. Dean was the keynote speaker of the evening and offered strong words in support of Tibet even while facing criticism from the local Chinese community. She also called for the opening of a Bay Area Tibetan Cultural Center in Berkeley, offering full support in any way possible.
The master of ceremonies for the evening was Tsewang Khangsar, Tibetan Association of Northern California Vice President. Throughout the evening he promoted the walk, asking for contributions and participation. A khata ceremony was also worked into the program, honoring each of the walkers even before we had begun.
Tsewang deserves special gratitude for pulling together a complex array of needs for the first week of the walkfrom food and shelter, to promotions and contributionsTsewang was the driving force behind the success of the beginning of this march. TANC President Dhonyo Tenzin was undoubtedly another driving force of success. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
That evening we enjoyed our first of many wonderful Tibetan meals at a party in our honor hosted by Lobsang Tsering and family. We were treated to an evening unlike any other that ended with Tibetan singing and joyful displays of an interwoven community.
Everyday that followed we were honored to be guests in numerous Tibetan homes and Dhonyo's wife's restaurant, Cafe Tibet, where the generous offerings of delectable Tibetan food was unmatched. Samten's Cafe Tibet offers Tibetan food with a French infusion that will literally knock you off your feet. Amazing.
The Regional Tibetan Youth Congress also deserves a special mention because of their high-level of involvment and support. You guys rock! Let's Free Tibet!
I know I will personally miss the hospitality of our host, Lobsang Tsering and familybreakfast was incredible everydayand their family is a model for all to for all to follow. And, I know this was the case in every household. Thank you for sharing your homes with us.
The financial generosity of the community was, to say the least, beyond anything that we had ever experienced before and definitely put a large dent in walk budget. Once again, we have only our Bay Area Tibetan Community to thank.
A flurry of khatas given graciously by so many different families and organizations sent us on our way with a tear in our eye, but also with enthusiasm to push forward with our task at hand.
This walk will be a success, greatly in part to the send off and support that we received in the Bay Area.
Torchena to all!
Again, thank you to all of our hosts: Kalsang and Sonam, Dhonyo and Samten, Dhondup Tsering, Tsamchoe and Lobsang, Jampa Choezom, Phuntsok and Sonam, Chime Choera, Nyima Gyalpo, Dhondup Tsering, Lobsang Tsering, Tseten and Tsewang Khangsar, Lhakpa Dolma, Bay Area Friends of Tibet, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Association of Northern California.
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Tibet Independence Movement
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