the beginning

Welcome to my blog site!! This site is being created primarily for my sponsors, so that they can follow my journey as much as possible, but it is also for anyone who is interested.

I am now in London, sitting in a London Internet Cafe on Oxford Street on my way to Hyde Park. I have yet to meet the other Peace Cycle participants, though on Wednesday some of us are meeting to go on a final training ride before it all begins on Sunday. I have been here for two days, though I only just unpacked my bike this morning.

The current conflict in the Middle East gives the Peace Cycle more meaning and a greater feeling of urgency. The emails that the group have been writing to one another have been filled with frustration and grief.

Unfortunately, I have made the decision to not continue with the Peace Cycle into the Middle East. This decision has been a long time in coming, but at this stage I plan to stay in Rome while the cyclists who have opted to continue fly on to Damascus. However, the money raised will still be used! It will go towards the many worthy charities of the region, particularly to rebuilding the Freedom Theatre in Jenin, West Bank, which was destroyed in 2002.

I must sign off for now, as my internet time is coming to an end.

With hope,
Micaela