WALK QUICK FACTS: Today's walk began at 9:40am and concluded at 3:40pm. We enjoyed two rest stops as well as a lunch stop at the gracious McDonald's parking lot – we ate our own food. Total miles covered 12. Close to 40 people attended the opening ceremonies, with 35 starting the walk. 26 were present at the walk's conclusion. Media contacts included: David Horn of the Herald Times of Bloomington, two phone interviews with Radio Free Asia, Jason Pear of WTIU, PBS of Bloomington, Channel 6 WTHR in Indianapolis, and radio station WFHB of Bloomington.

All the walkers as well as supporters gathered at the TCC stupa to inaugurate the start of the March for Tibet's Independence 2003. Gerald Baker, Vice President of the International Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM) welcomed all and introduced Jigme Norbu as the first speaker.

Jigme Norbu opened the walk with a speech from the heart. "On behalf of my father I thank everyone for being present and for your support for Tibet. There is no need to explain the cause of why we are present or explain the cause for Tibet and my father. My father has walked this walk many times since the Chinese invasion of Tibet in order to bring about change and awareness through peaceful and non-violent means. It is great to see the younger generation here, especially the younger Tibetans. My father would be proud to see all of you here today. We all have an obligation to Tibet, and we must never give up. We will never forget the six million Tibetans in Tibet, and that those Tibetans outside of Tibet are very lucky because we have many freedoms. We are able to express our concerns and raise our voices whereas they cannot. I thank everyone again for coming. We are one big family, our actions give hope that Tibet will be returned to Tibetans. I especially thank Larry Gerstein, President of ITIM for his commitment, and am grateful to the ITIM members, to the walkers and to the sponsors. I will see you on March 10th in Indianapolis. I will be walking with you and wearing my father's coat. The same coat that he, my father wore when he walked in previous ITIM walks. The first walk was like today's, beginning in Bloomington and ending in Indianapolis in 1995. I am walking this walk for my father and will walk with you for the full five days."

A speech by Larry Gerstein (click here to read Larry's speech) was then read by Benjamin Cox, Treasurer of ITIM. Larry was unable to be present as he was unexpectedly called to attend to his family in New York. (Despite his geographical distance, he was able to be virtually present through the wonderful technology of the cell phone.) Prayers were then offered by Monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery. At the conclusion of the prayers, all stood together before the stupa as the Tibetan National Anthem was sung. As soon as the song ended, chants and slogans were shouted and the walkers and their supporters circumabulated the stupa, thus auspiciously beginning the 12 mile walk of day one. With a scout ahead of the walkers, Jigme carried the Tibetan flag, followed by Monks, then Tibetans with supporters closing ranks behind. Walkers came from Bloomington and Indianapolis, Indiana as well as from Kentucky, Minnesota, and Michigan.

The day began with a chilly 21 degrees with the roads leaving the TCC covered with a sparkling sheet of ice. The initial steps were made with care, but the voices loudly carried the chants of RANGZEN! At first, passing drivers were hesitant only encouraging the walkers through cautious hand signals and waves with the occasional thumbs up. They did not seem to notice our "HONK FOR TIBET" sign, but it was early and cold. We did find much enthuisiasm from canine supporters and thought about getting a new sign: "BARK FOR TIBET".

We needed our mindful attention, as the roads were narrow and the shoulders narrower. We marched on through the winding roads past subdivisions until we entered the business district and had to negotiate a construction crew with their bulldozer parked right in our path. We did receive special encouragement from a good samaritan by the name of Mary, who handed out a case of water from her trunk. Her bumper sticker read: "Peace to All, No Exceptions!" And the water tasted great. We'd made it to our first rest stop and bathrooms, YES! (because the water tasted great).

The temperature rose rapidly right before our eyes as we passed the digital temperature gauge at the Morgan County Bank. As the walkers approached it read 29 degrees, by the time the group had passed it read 30. The heat was on. It was time to consider our outerwear. One Tibetan walker, who has made many walks in his life, witnessed the Lhasa uprising as a child. One very poignant exodus was his walk out of Tibet into India; his mother did not survive. She was found in the very coat that he wore today. It is a beautiful maroon silk brocade lined with sheep fur. He did not want people to think he was simply wearing the garment for its elegance, but to honor his mother's memory and celebrate his personal history. Another Tibetan was wearing a striking royal blue silk coat with its own narrative. His mother had the coat specially tailored for him in his homeland. Friends were able to bring it to him in America. It was a day to remember the struggle for simple freedoms and to hope that loved ones will be reunited in a free Tibet in our lifetime.

As the day progressed the sun came through the billowing clouds, warming our hearts and stoking our enthuisiasm. The brillant blue of the sky was like that of the land of the snow. We felt a strong pull to the other side of the world, connected to the hearts and spirits of those in whose place we were walking. By the end of the day, our bodies registered the effects of our determination. Though we were in some pain, it was nothing in comparison to the sufferings experienced by all who have been affected by the occupation of Tibet. We will continue our journey tomorrow.