MARCH FOR TIBET'S INDEPENDENCE: FLORIDA 2004
–A Fifty-Five Mile March For The Six Million Who Cannot–

Tuesday: September 21, 2004

Day Two:
From: Alsdorf Park, Pompano Beach, Florida
To: Haulover Park, Bal Harbour, Florida

Distance: 20 Miles

Topography: Flat, Route A1A runs along the Atlantic Coast throughout Florida. Recently, this area of Florida was ravaged by Hurricane Frances but also received heavy rains and strong winds from Hurricane Charlie. Although they were spared the full brunt of Frances and the horrific damage of Hurricane Ivan, which obliterated Florida¹s Pan Handle and Alabama, it is yet to learn of its fate as Tropical Storm Jeanne approaches. Fallen palms and clearly damaged homes with wooden planks still covering the windows and doors tell of season to end all seasons. Huge puddles of stagnant water and high breaking waves a few hundred yards off the route make for quite a breathtaking backdrop.

Weather: Extreme sunshine and staggering temps pressed the Marchers into the steaming concrete as they started out from Pompano Beach and headed south along A1A, but just after an impromptu conversation regarding the heat and everyone¹s dehydration the skies opened up and dropped buckets of rain down upon their heads. The rains continued on and off throughout the day, especially as the March reached Ft. Lauderdale Beach where one moment it was bright and beautiful, but the next it was Hurricane style rain and winds. Temps hovered around 90 all day and the humidity was a clean one hundred percent. As the Marchers crossed into Miami-Dade County and pressed on to Haulover Park just across the causeway from Bal Harbour the heat had won. Beaten and blistered the hard fought day was finally over.

Landmarks: Heading south on A1A the Marchers were escorted by Deputy Joe Duncan via mountain bike from Sea Ranch Lakes through Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, and on to the Ft. Lauderdale city limits. However, the sun decided to ride shotgun with Joe heading north and in its place the rains flooded the streets of Ft. Lauderdale as the surf roared and the wind howled. After collecting at Las Olas (Ft. Lauderdale Beach), the group headed via vehicle over the causeway and past Port Everglades, which is unsuitable for walking much less Marching. After lunch the March resumed in Hallandale and quickly was interrupted by an absence of sidewalks and the shoulder-less roads of Golden Beach. The March picked up again a mile or so south at Aventura and proceeded into North Miami Beach concluding Leg Two at the top of Haulover Park in Sunny Isles Beach.

The March:
Start: 10:00am
Break: 12:00pm
Lunch Break: 2:00pm
2nd Half: 3:30pm
Finish: 5:00pm

Avg. Time: 1st Half: 4mph

Total Time: 6.5 Hrs

Marchers:
Core: 4; Ani Kalsang Palmo, Jigme Norbu, Tenzin Namgyal, Yeshi Gyaltsen
Guest: 2; Adam Byrn Tritt and his daughter Sef (Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft. Lauderdale);

Casualties: Ani Kalsang Palmo recovered from her back spasms and blisters and enjoyed the comfort of a brand new pair of cross-trainers surprisingly enough NOT Made in China. She never quit!

Tenzin Namgyal (Tenam) succumbed to the dreaded Blister in the middle of the sole of the foot. Every step was agonizing but he refused to sit out.

Stand Outs: Ani and Tenam for determination and success in finishing the day injured; Yeshi for being the quiet hero; Jigme for successfully pacing the group rain or shine, while simultaneously using all his cell phone¹s anytime minutes; Adam for blasting to the front and completing Leg Two first; and let¹s not forget Sef for an outstanding performance as Shotgun for the first half of the rainy day, and a quality performance in the latter stages of the March once the sun came out and held court high in the sky.

Rating: Kicked Our Asses!

Host Families:
Sunday 19th: Jeremy Ferderber and Julie Selvaggi; Oakland Park, Ft. Lauderdale
Monday 20th: Lee and Adam Byrn Tritt; Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft. Lauderdale
Tuesday 21st: Lee and Adam Byrn Tritt; Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft. Lauderdale

Meals:
Breakfast: Eggs and Onions ala Tenam, Chai, and OJ.
Lunch: Tokyo Bowl for Sushi and Noodles; Port Everglades
Dinner: Pot Luck with the Congregation at UU Church of Ft. Lauderdale

Leg Two:
Distance: 20 Miles
Wake Time: 6:30am
March Start: 9:00am
Alsdorf Park, Pompano Beach
Est Finish: 5:00pm Haulover Park, Bal Harbour

Leg Three: Final Leg
Distance: 20 Miles
Wake Time: 6:30am
March Start: 9:00am Haulover Park, Pompano Beach
Est Finish: 5:00pm Ocean Drive/5th St South Beach, Miami

Quote of Day:
Jigme at lunch: ³Japanese RestaurantŠOwned by Chinese (Taiwanese)ŠMexican CooksŠWait a Minute! Is anyone who works here Japanese?²

Response: ³Yes, our Sushi Chef is but he¹s off today.²

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