I love meeting cyclists travelling the world on their bicycle by chance and listening to their stories about their trips and picking up a tip or two from them and sharing my story is always a thrill. One look, sometimes not even a smile or greeting is all it takes to get acquainted.

We may have great language barriers but our passion for cycling is what brings us close together; somehow we can still communicate well and understand each other with our actions and our gibberish English words. I met four very nice people here in Addis Ababa. A Hollander named Mitch Timmermans, a German couple named Franz Stoerch and Babara Besel and a Japanese named Hiroki Shinomiya. They are four of the most adventure seeking people I have ever known. They are always on the go. In fact, as I write this, they are on their way to Kenya and we have already made the plans to meet in Kenya itself. If not for my earlier commitments for some interviews with the media here in Addis Ababa and my short scheduled meeting with the mayor, I would have gone with them. The German couple and Mitch who have been to Nepal before have taken keen interest in visiting Nepal again in 2014 with me upon hearing that is when I will be heading back home for my holiday.

My heart is in Nepal and everywhere I go travelling, I make sure to search and ask around for Nepalese living in the particular country. I ask people if they know anyone via Facebook, from the Embassy, anywhere and I usually come in contact with Nepalese. Having a Nepali friend makes everything so much easier, with the long stretch of time of not speaking Nepali or at times to anyone at all leaves me yearning for a person who I can have a simple conversation with. I always think, if we were all in Nepal, I don’t think we would have met. The different soil has us meeting in a great coincidence. It is always my pleasure to meet them. I met a Bharat Chudal who works at UN Missions two weeks ago. We immediately formed a rapport; he even donated US$320 to my foundation and my cause. A man with a heart of gold, he instantly got curious about what I do and when he learned of my foundation’s plans to give out wheel chairs to the needy in Nepal, he said he would love to help as much as he can and I should definitely get back to him should I need any kind of help. It was heart warming to have such connection in a mere interaction.

I believe the people we hang out with is what makes us, us. I have said this before and I will keep saying it, one of the best parts of touring is meeting people from all walks of live.