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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 17 September 2009 |
Mark Boyle's intention to go to Gandhi's birthplace Mahathma penniless, relying only on the sympathy and help strangers who had to feed him and give him shelter - wished to prove that a world without money is really possible.
Went to the first stage of his epic journey with the blessing of the media, not to mention an appropriate alternative farewell party on the docks of Bristol crack of dawn, with the participation of individual drummers and playing on the sea shell. Arrived at Calais before he realized that without the knowledge of French is not able to explain its mission to the natives, and not too much can find vegan food in this part of Europe - he stood before his eyes the vision of death by starvation. Was forced to turn back and re-completion of a Channel. Arrived in Eastbourne in East Sussex, where he explained why the planned two-year pilgrimage turned into a monthly trip to France and back. - The problem was that I could not in any way explain what the French tried to make - Boyle explained in an interview with The Guardian. - People think that I'm a refugee looking for work. I was going to ask people about it, or do not need much help in my favor and for getting food and accommodation. But they thought that I was a beggar. Boyle studied French at school in Ireland for six years, but after the descent from the ferry realized that practically does not remember any words. His costume is not too much to check. Traveled in a gaudily yellow trousers and sandals, which are not concealed his fingernails blackened feet and shirt with slogan "Community Pilgrim". - I call these my clothes "icebreaker" - explained Boyle. - In the UK, people responded to them positively. To some extent this has opened up many doors for me. In France, people are a bit more sophisticated, and I did not do a good impression on them. When I arrived at Calais, he had with him accompanied by two acquaintances along the way, who decided to follow along with him to - among other things, 17-year old Katie. Once an exotic trio realized that this is very welcome in France, decided to go in the direction of Belgium. But then carry only half a plate of chocolate, packet of peanuts and raisins, and three cans of soup - the three people. - Rather, we had no chance to reach the goal. We had to turn back - says Boyle. Fortunately, Katie's mother insisted that her daughter was with me travelers checks in case. They have been cashed and the white cliffs of Dover on the horizon travelers more quickly than Boyle had expected. The idea of pilgrimage was born in the head Boyle moment when he saw the movie "Gandhi" while studying business and economics at the university. Several years later, Boyle came to Bristol, where he worked as manager of the health food store, trying to repair the world, together with a group of friends. Realize that money is the cause of all problems in this world. He set up a website Free economy. The idea is that the people who think like Boyle to write, publish a list of your skills and share them with other members of the community. For example, the barber can shave a mechanic and can fix a bicycle instead of his benefactor. There is never any money. - I have a vision of the economy without money, in which we all care about each other each other - Boyle explained during the interview at a school in Eastbourne, has agreed to spend it in exchange for work he has done in the school garden. Home proved to be quite a successful idea.
According to Boyle, have signed up to the 4200 people with 900 different skills from 85 countries worldwide. He claims that his vision is not a figment of hippie - he hates to be so called - but a practical response to the increasing problems of global warming and soaring oil prices. In his opinion, within the next decade the world will suffer a crisis so great a combination of these two problems, that people will be forced to refer to their environment and dependence on support from their own communities in matters of survival. His pilgrimage was thus in part an attempt to draw world attention to the site Free economy and prove that people can be caring and selfless assistance. Boyle, packed his clothes to change, the flag with the motto "12 000 km for peace," wrote "peace" in his backpack in Russian, Arabic, Chinese and Hindi, and went to Porbandy in Gujarat on January 30, at 60 Gandhi's death anniversary. Not planned anything, believing that it is best to entrust their fate fortune. 28-year-old Boyle mentions that the route from Bristol to Dover went great. People are smiling and helped him. Do after 70 and more kilometers a day. His "boys", as called their feet hurt, but his stomach was full. Everything was going well until it hit on foreign soil. Boyle, however, does not lose optimism. Apologized to his fans for using the money to return home, but does not intend to surrender, but only a little change travel plans. Will spend the next year traveling around Britain and asking people about whether they need help, in the meantime learning the languages of the network members Free economy. Then come back to the European continent - perhaps avoiding France - and try again. Believes that Europe will always be the toughest stage of the journey. When you will go to Turkey, hopes that people will be more receptive and helpful. - I know that some people laughing at me - she admits. - But I do not mind it. I'm going to try again. If all you have done so far, has given people a reason to laugh, maybe it is not so bad. Happen in the world far worse things. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 September 2009 )
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