Hail, inexhaustible treasure of life!

02/20/10 - 03/1/10

Los Angeles to Fontana

Hail, inexhaustible treasure of life!

I've realized there's something very important I must say:

When you read this email, put down what you are doing and have a mindful presence. Read this, and actually read it. Read it when you have the time to set aside for it and only it.

Be here now, with me!

OK!

With the sun in our eyes we braced ourselves for a morning full of media attention.

Photo Cred Santa Monica Daily Press

Santa Monica Mirror http://smmirror.com Vol. 11, Issue 38 February 25 - March 3, 2010 http://www.smmirror.com/MainPages/DisplayArticleDetails.asp?eid=12039 Walking Across America Photo by MARGARET MOLLOY George Throop, 34, is "Walking Across America" to raise awareness of how making steps towards leading healthier lives can help reduce the likeliness of contracting cancer and other fatal diseases. Throop, who was born and raised in Vancouver, shaved his head in solidarity with cancer patients and began his long trek in Washington State on Sept. 20, two days before his 34th birthday. His mother had died of bone cancer two days before her 34th birthday. He calls it a "pilgrimage of inspiration" and chronicles his motivation and adventures on his website "www.enjoythewalk.org". He hopes to motivate others to live healthier lives and follow their dreams. Throop is planning much of his accommodation along the journey through an international hospitality network called CouchSurfers whose stated mission is to create "Inspiring Experiences". Daniel Hayes of Santa Monica hosted Throop on Friday night through the site. His current travel partner, Shay Emmons, (photo) from Portland, Oregon, is also a friend through the network. She plans to walk with Throop to Florida, and maybe even to DC. Throop¹s official Santa Monica departure was from the pier. From Santa Monica, he'll be turning east and walking toward Florida, then heading north en route to Washington DC.

Santa Monica's Daily Press and Mirror newspapers send photographers to catch a glimpse of our spectacular journey, which was an encouraging "bon voyage" as we departed for L.A.

I actually ended up doing this portion of the walk solo, because george had some last minute errands and I was too charged to wait! I split up the 17 mile trek between famous Santa Monica, Sunset, and Hollywood boulevards, encountering 5 star patio dining and star emblazoned sidewalk. Shambled flower shacks rested hidden in the hills overgrown with tall grass, and graffiti adorned high up retaining walls as the glitz and glamour faded in the distance behind me. Returning to the place from whence I came only a few days ago, i decided to prolong my arrival by circling the 3 miles around Silver Lake before settling into my home for the night. Our gracious hosts were Tom and Kristen, kind souls who had encountered George in Big Sur. They treated us to a most fabulous dinner at a neighborhood cafe, sharing with us a most loving and communal experience. (We also, as a table, shard a couple fantastic desserts!) Their neighbor, Henriette, such a dear little Swiss-German lady, joined us, and hearing her speak was a welcome lullaby after my almost 6 hour walk.

I had an early rise, though I stayed in bed for a long while. Sleeping in a bed has come to be a much appreciated luxury. We went to the Hollywood farmer's market, which was among the nicest and abundantly sample-friendly in the nation.

home-made mozzarella in olive oil and herbs

Bela Lugosi!

We ran into Henriette and I got a nice hug out of it. we returned to the house to gather our things and say goodbye to the kitties, of course.

And then it was on to...

Pasadena!

We got a few raindrops, but largely the universe heeded my wishes for good weather. Misty in areas, but the perfect temperature. It was a quick walk! about 15 miles. We got into town just in time to meet George and Marcia Throop (!) (no relation to George [his last name is also Throop, bizarre, right?])

Without a doubt some of the nicest people I've had the fortune of meeting. They, also, wanted to feed us, so we all went out to dinner, and I ate more than any human should, and topped it off with a gorgeous slice of red velvet cake, much insisted upon by Marcia.

I felt so encouraged by them, these firm supporters in our endeavor. I wished we could have spent more time with them. We did get a grand tour of George's construction supply company, however, the next morning.

Me, George L. Throop and George C. Throop (no relation)

AND. a thumb in the photo :p

Though the tour of building materials and concrete production machinery was fascinating, his office, boasting obscure collection and perilously stacked concrete magazines, held an unrivaled allure.

We left just shy of noon on our way to Azusa. (it's Monday the 22nd now) It was almost 15 miles walking, and with breaks and all it took almost 7 hours. We invited Kyle, our next host, to walk the last stretch with us and he did! Being now in a familiar college house setting, I wasn't sure who actually lived there, and I'm pretty sure they weren't either... Jenga pieces with bizarre commands littered the table, and I believe I heard a brief dispute as to whether or not beer cans counted as dishes...

A haphazard assortment of things.

Kind of the same idea as above.

Here, Kyle shares his own take on things:

You should definitely take a minute to look at his photos. Do it. http://305edixon.blogspot.com/

I felt nostalgically at home and for a brief moment lovingly looked back in my life at Portland. I had my first beer in a long time! I caught up on my blog and went to sleep with sound of youth in the background.

Then, more walking!!

We ran into a homeschool group while taking a rest in Glendale? I don't know exactly what city we were in... They asked us to speak to the kids, and we enthusiastically agreed. They were pretty excited to talk to us, though I kind of look like I'm screaming at them in this photo. Whatever the case, I command attention.

We also encountered a group of international students practicing their English at a language school. They had so many good questions for us that I couldn't get my words out fast enough. After speaking with them, I was filled with an overwhelming love for the world. Walking away, I could hardly contain myself. These shining moments in which the clarity of love becomes revealed are the reason I travel. I travel so that I can make this connection with many, many people.

Claremont greeted us with the joyful reception only shown to unexpected visitors in a sleepy town. A sort of welcome committee had assembled on the street, out of the quiet of a Tuesday evening, showering us in song and embrace. The youthful resonance of this welcome completed the day for me, and I could have died and gone to heaven right then and there. What more could I live for but this? There is something sacred about those who reach out to a traveler. And those who have not yet become jaded by the limits we feel we should impose on ourselves.

We met up with our host, Taylor, and had some burritos. George stayed behind while Taylor and I went out for coffee and a night out exploring the town. I could see myself spending some time here; The people are friendly, the downtown is small but full of things to see, and I almost expect to see the ocean at the edge of town. We made our way to Rancho Cucamonga the next day, and it was a fast walking day. I was beat when we returned to Taylor's, but somehow let myself be convinced to go out with him and his friends. And I'm so glad I did! It's great to mingle with people my own age, and so often am I on the move that these encounters are usually too brief. I was thrilled to meet new people, and by the end of the evening received and invitation to San Fran for the weekend! I must have made a good impression!

I started off the next day right with coffee and conversation about philosophy, literature, film, and music, with my new friend Nico. Wherever I may go, and for however briefly I may stay, I always have a coffee shop for the day. It makes me feel quite at home to sit around like I own a place. With this wonderful human to human connection, I'm once again reminded of my journey's merit.

More walking...

We made our way through strip mall America, reminiscing about growing up on chili rellenos and arroz con leche. Salvador, who joined us for the day, helped me work up a ravenous appetite by the time we'd walked 8 or 9 miles, and we decided to take a detour to eat, but the place ended up not being vegetarian in any way. Bummer for the 3 of us, who all happen to be vegetarian. BUT. The universe does conspire for my well-being and happiness, and just at that moment, a lady and her daughter came to talk to us and had the overwhelming urge to feed us. And so we ate! They even bought some food for the dogs to eat while we were inside. Gracious, gracious people! We will never go hungry, because everybody wants to be a part of you when you when they see you are doing something meaningful. People love to help each other, if they can just make that connection, and there's so much evidence that I can't help but think all people are good at heart.

There's more to come, but it would have been an insane amount to read, so Redlands and beyond will be in the next email. Keep your eyes out for it!

Love, Shay

There are more photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/FakePlasticShay The blog, which is just a running accumulation of these emails and journalings, is here: http://fakeplasticshay.blogspot.com/ _____________________________________________________________________________________ I am not traveling for profit. I seek to live as minimally as possible while traveling, and in life in general. However, any help along the way is appreciated, as food and shelter are of the utmost uncertainty on this trip. if you would like to make a small contribution for food you may do so by clicking here: https://cms.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?cmd=_render-content&content_ID=marketing_us/send_money click the "personal" tab, send it to Fakeplasticshay@gmail.com, specify your own amount as a gift, and help me get one day and one city further! As always, anything helps and is so very much appreciated! ___________________________________________________________________________ So! Onward! I am an adventure traveler. I am not a tourist seeking a distraction from my discomforts and worries. I am a lover of life seeking to submerge myself in the world outside myself. The nature and quality of my experience are based on some questions: -What do I want from the road? -Why will I travel? I want to see amazing things I want to meet amazing people I want to do a lot of walking I want freedom I want stories I want to see and try new things And I want all of these things at the expense of taking risks and encountering uncertainty.

Love, Shay