At 8 am on March 22, 2010 Hampton and I crossed First Street in New York City to the UN building.
After an 18 hour ride from west of Newark, across the George Washington Bridge, to New York City, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center we arrive at our destination during a light rain, and almost no one to hold the camera and take a picture.
We would like to thank God for all our health and safety during a very long trip across America, a different town every night, a thank you to all the hundreds of people who helped in every possible way, to people who donated, to the newspapers and TV stations who ran stories, and to all the people who gave rides or took the time to hear our story about the Akha people.
We’d also like to especially thank the police of New Jersey, the Port Authority and the New York Police Department for their exceptional help in the last 18 hours of the Ride for Freedom. As we were making our way across the George Washington Bridge, a huge architectural structure, one escort patrol car of the Port Authority began playing Ray Charles “America” over his PA system. I was walking Hampton, who upon hearing this, quickened his pace and I had to run to keep up.
We crossed through Times square at 6 am to bright lights and still mostly empty streets, having come down Broadway.
I’d also like to remember our board member of many years, John Nance who passed away a few weeks ago.
And I’d also like to remember Rob, a fantastic accordion player in Grants Pass Oregon, who also passed away a couple weeks ago.
Day 29: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElcQ8aVCyqI
We had many difficult experiences, few bad experiences. Always somehow by the skin of our teeth we held on and moved on.
Our goal was to educate as many people as possible about the Akha. We gave out thousands of business cards and flyers across America and talked to thousands of people about the situation of the Akha people.
During our trip the Queen of Thailand had to take down her website for Hooh Yoh Akha where she stole Akha land.
There will still be more videos, and there will be more projects.
Currently we are waiting for the start of the UNPFII at the UN come April 15. After that we head back to Oregon.
There is writing to do, video to compile, and time needed for a good rest. Maybe even go fishing. We weathered one of the worst winters in US history on the east coast.
Hampton is eating green grass, grain, and enjoying retirement. One great horse.
Day 382:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnGLQgW8Ojo
The videos are all now up http://www.youtube.com/akhazauh
Thank you for all your help and friendship.
Matthew McDaniel
