Great Aussie Rickshaw Ride 25th August

We arrived on election day and left four days later with still no idea
of who will be forming the government. Our arrival and departure, if
it made a ripple on the pond of media, was overwhelmed by the tsunami
of national politics.
To help us leave Canberra we had Dan and Richard Etherington, a father
and son team, riding the rickshaw out of the National capital. Dan
actually breaks another GARR record. So far he is the oldest rickshaw
riding participant. Dan is, according to his wife Maureen and she
should know, far closer to 74 than he is to 73. For your interest, the
youngest participant has so far been 12. In the cold and wind, Dan and
Richard did very well. They are both experienced cyclists. Thanks Dan,
Richard and Maureen (who accompanied her husband and son in a trailing
vehicle). Your enthusiasm was greatly appreciated. We have attached a
photo of the Etherington family and the rickshaw.

We have overnighted in the beautiful town of Yass. Of all the local
male residents that we have met, very few have been willing to confess
that they are only a Yass man. (Sorry very weak joke). Tomorrow we
will be making presentations at two schools, Bowning and Murrumburram
Public Schools.

Yesterday I promised a translation of the song that Hajrat has been
singing at the presentations. I hope that you can see how appropriate
it is for the total message that we are bringing. The English
translation is given below:

Song of the Poor
To those of you who are wondering whether we are people or not,
We are people, only our luck has tricked us.

When we are hungry, our stomachs also burn.
In joy, smiles or sorrow, tears well up in our eyes.
In this life we also have hopes.
As people we also have the dream/ambition to survive.

To those of you who are wondering whether we are people or not,
We are people, only our luck has tricked us.

In the city you live in buildings.
But we suffer hardship in the heat of the sun, the rain and the storm.
With houses and money you are the happy ones.
So when you see our suffering, please do not laugh.

To those of you who are wondering whether we are people or not,
We are people, only our luck has tricked us, our luck has tricked us,
our luck has tricked us.

Until tomorrow.