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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 event–Tibetan 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, and one of our core walkers on the north leg of the march. 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 walk–from food and shelter, to promotions and contributions–Tsewang 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 communit y.
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 family–breakfast was incredible everyday–and their family is a model 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:
Sonam and Kalsang
Dhonyo and Samten
Dhondup Tsering
Tsamchoe and Lobsang
Jampa Choezom
Phuntsok and Sonam
Chime Choera
Nyima Gyalpo
Tseten and Tsewang Khangsar
Lhakpa Dolma and Phunstok Wangden
Bay Area Friends of Tibet
Regional Tibetan Youth Congress
Tibetan Association of Northern California
International
Tibet Independence Movement
PO Box 592 Fishers, Indiana 46038-0592 United States
e-mail: rangzen@aol.com
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