No thanks, I'll walk...........

"Hey, need a ride?" I heard that several times yesterday. During my walk I realized several things. First of all, a lot of people drive, and I think they figure that if you're walking that its out of neccesity. I do appreciate the offer, but no need to aggressively insist, assuming that its my pride refusing. I also realized that the same route that I've taken home from work for the past seven years by car, looks, and sounds completely different at 1 mph. The Chesapeake fed James River seems to follow me, yet I visualize dry river beds from the Great Rift Valley. The plush greenery that hugs the river turns to acacia thorns, and wild cucumber. The joggers, and cyclist around me transform into proud Pokot, and mighty Messai, when I close my eyes, and the rail road tracks.......... Enough dreaming, I walk through downtown Richmond listening to Damian Marley, Lil Wayne, Antero, and Fela Kuti on my I-pod. I am about 2 miles from home when it starts to rain. I think about my options. For those that know me, I am a lot like a cat when it comes to water. Call a cab, thumb a ride, or stop by my friend Malcolm's,(which conveniently is in eye sight) to ask him to drive me home. In that same moment I realize that I'm trippin. Who will I call to give me a ride when I am in the Kenyan bush? As I proudly step in the pounding rain with my chest out, Malcolm calls me and says, "What's up, man?" I just laugh and asked that he bring me a plastic bag for my electronics. He obliges, and I continue along my walk.
Working America step from buses at this hour, and now that the rain has eased up, the moon peeks through wispy clouds. I see my first lightening bug of the season, bats swoop, and I think I saw a fox. The reality is this, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected region, where 1.7 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2007, bringing to 22.5 million the total number of people living with HIV. More than two-thirds of all people infected with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa. I feel that it is the responsibility of all that are able to help change this to do so, in some way. I can walk, visualize, talk about this all day, but these are the facts at hand. I will continue to walk, and update you with my daydreams and progress towards our goal. There is a space below for comments, so please feel free to add your 2 cents, or make your way to properwalk.com to donate that 2 cents. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, Joshua

Taking steps to get to the Walk.

Preparation is a lot of fun. I have been busy spreading the word about the Makindu Children's Program, and trying to find a location for a dinner, and concert to raise awareness, and funds. This past weekend the band that I play with, Antero, had the opportunity to play in front of 8000+ people at the River Rock Festival in Richmond Va. The crowd was pleased, and I meet several people who are excited about supporting the orphanage. I had a chance to get out of the city to do some walking with Nitika, which was quite rewarding. We walked along the James River through trails that the original Americans traveled on. Their presence was evident through some clues that were visable and others were just felt.
This weekend a good friend and avid walker, Wiley "Crazyhorse" Jones, blessed me with a pair of walking sticks. He was excited about me using his sticks to travel 190+ miles through the desert and Kenyan bush. He showed me a few tricks and shared some of his stories of walking the Appalachian Trail. I also enjoyed a tutorial, Q&A, and fun time with pack leader Michael Farley. Michael speaks with such passion, and love when he talks about Africa. He paints a picture that makes it all so real, and not so distant. He showed me a good walking rhythm, pace, and posture.
Please stay tuned. Hopefully I will have dates, and an interview with a local magazine to post by early next week. We will have a cyber celebration, till such time, peace.
Joshua

Pure Excitement!

It is my pleasure to share with the world the preparation of an adventure that will not only change my life, but the lives of many. As you follow you will see the good, the not so good, the ugly, and the crazy, the many faces of a true life adventure. You will see feast and famine, you will have a mainline to a real adventure for a cause. Tune in and watch the layers of this onion unfold, actually, you can help me unfold these layers. Please participate. This is not just my story, but through this blog it will be your story as well. Thanks to all for your support.
Lets Go!