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 Kickin' it in Arizona
May 4, 2006
The last time I wrote, I'd left you in Phoenix after
completing my journey from Guatemala to North Carolina, then to New York, back to Carolina, and then on to Phoenix
- almost all by bus. I haven't taken the trouble to figure out the total mileage, but I reckon 8,000 miles is a
fair guess.
Then there was the longer journey, the one that took about five-and-a-half years to complete… a cycle I'd completed
by returning back to Arizona. I'd lived and worked in Europe, Asia, Mexico and Central America. I'd traveled through
over 30 countries on 4 continents and met so very many interesting people and generated so many quality friendships
- my understanding of the globe had expanded tremendously. But now, here I was, back in the country I'd spent most
of my life in, having done re-entry: getting used to the good and bad of it all, seeing friends and family, most
of them for the first time since I'd left.
After having arrived in Phoenix, I reflected on what had transpired for me since January 2000 and how through it
all I'd never once regretted the decision I'd made. Never - not even close, even though I'd surely had a few tough
times abroad. Loneliness and separation from loved ones, a broken tailbone and intestinal infection, challenges
with new languages along with my cultural ignorance, dealings with locals who were determined to take advantage
of me one way or another, getting pick-pocketed… these and other built-in traveling factors, along with various
personal emotional and psychological issues that frequently reared their ugly faces… they never made me feel as
though I'd made a mistake!
While traveling, working and living abroad, I'd written of my experiences: my thoughts, feelings, observations
and opinions. Initially, it was just to keep friends and family updated on my whereabouts and activities. Then
it expanded into a combination rambling journal/travelogue/political commentary, which also was an outlet for me
to process what I'd done… to explore my deep reactions and spiritual learning curve.
This kind of journey had placed me squarely in front of both my fears and inner demons. It'd forced me to look
at and confront my life priorities, to sort out what was important from what isn't. I can tell you this: after
doing what I did, I now know so much more about what is vital for me, what I want and need - and how I wish to
be. I've seen not only the planet and its people from a different perspective, but also myself. I've been severely
challenged… pushed, pulled, twisted, knocked down and battered. I've also been catapulted onto ecstasy and euphoria…
left sprawling in a sea of joy. My thinking and values had been put to the ultimate test and I'd embraced and questioned
all that I believed in.
But now it was time to sort out what was next.
I split up my time in Phoenix staying with two dear friends and thank them again for their kindness. Having lived
in the city for 19 years, I had many people to see and one after another they either invited me to their homes
or took me out to various restaurants (usually East Indian) for either lunch or dinner. I was seeing people I cherished
while being treated like royalty. Aside from the fact that most of them had put on a few pounds, little had changed
about them...in a good way. Having them in my life was a huge gift! It was yet another confirmation to me that
having quality friendships is one essential cornerstone of my life.
I had no motorized vehicle, so I took city buses or rode whatever bicycle was handy and this was an adventure in
itself since Phoenix is a challenging place to cycle, due to its grid-like layout of four and six-lane streets
with maniacs zooming by at 50 to 60 MPH - with no bike lanes in most cases! In general, I found Phoenix to be intolerable!
When I'd moved there with my family in 1981 from upstate New York, it seemed like paradise - now it was a traffic-clogged,
pollution-filled nightmare, filled with residents hell-bent on getting somewhere as fast possible. Plus, after
living in a series of fascinating communities and frequenting family-owned business, all I saw now was a massive
accumulation of cookie-cutter housing developments, shopping and strip malls and franchised stores and eateries.
That was the downside and I was clear that I wanted out, but to where? And to do what?
I knew what characteristics I wanted in wherever community I'd choose, but what was less immediately clear was
the specific motivation that would propel me, now that I was not vagabonding wherever my whims were guiding me.
The biggest question facing me was, "What the hell am I going to do now that I'm here?" I certainly had
no intention of returning back to any semblance of the lifestyle I'd lived before: putting on a tie and joining
the rush-hour deluge of nine-to-five workers. That may be totally appropriate for many others, but not for me.
Not now! I needed something more stimulating and spiritually fulfilling... and less confining. I needed to do something
more in sync with an inner sense of purpose. I looked for clues and a few arose as I came cross-country.
You may recall that while I was traveling westward across the States, I made a couple of stops at what are often
referred to as "intentional communities", where men and women concerned about the future of the planet
have created homes that are integrated with nature and do not rely on nonrenewable resources. These are communities
that are "off the grid" and can sustain themselves without dependency on outside sources for food and
fuel. This is the wave of the future, or at least should be, in my opinion.
As long as our energy for living and transportation is coming from fossil fuels, we're in deep doo-doo, and if
what I'm saying is new information for you, then just go to www.google.com, insert "peak oil" and take
some time to get updated. Your future and that of your family may depend on understanding this - and if you're
uninformed, it's not surprising since neither the government nor the mainstream media is addressing this issue.
Unfortunately the powers that be and their mouth pieces are far more determined that we're scared about terrorists
or mentally anesthetized by sit-coms and reality shows on TV, than for preparing us for what lies ahead: the ominous
point where world oil production goes down while demand is continuing to go up. This will mean big trouble for
those who're unprepared. If you're still puzzled by what I'm saying, rent the movie "The End of Suburbia".
You might end up re-thinking what you drive or where you live.
Most of you reading this probably know who Cindy Sheehan is. If not, she's an American mother whose son was killed
in Iraq and who once challenged President Bush to justify Casey's death - to explain to her, as she puts it, "just
what the 'noble cause' is that he says her son died for, since there obviously weren't any Weapons of Mass Destruction
there - as promised the American people." Last year she went to Bush's ranch to Texas to ask him to speak
with her (he refused) and she's been actively trying to support US troops by bringing them home where they belong:
with their families.
Fairly soon after I arrived in Phoenix, Cindy came to take part in a march and rally and I went, along with my
son Matt and his mom Judy and many others who agree with her. A few hundred citizens of all ages marched, the media
and local police were there (along with some Homeland Security agents?), and a few speeches were made. Since I
am (and always have been) vehemently opposed to this war, I wanted to take part and was also curious to hear what
Cindy Sheehan had to say. I can tell you this: I was very impressed with and touched by this woman! Standing in
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, she spoke powerfully from her heart. I feel that she's a sincere advocate of peace
and a woman who has no other agenda other than exposing Bush's lies and helping to put an end to this madness.
In my next On the Road, I'll share with you the phase of my process of deciding what to do and where to
do it... and what my choice ended up being.
Love and peace,
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In peace,