Moving slowly like a snail, I have my bicycle as my shell. It feels like a sailor in the midst of an ocean while I travel alone in the midst of my journey. Along the sea shore, middle of the jungle, desolate barren lands; I feel lonely. The only thing that accompanies me is my 8.5 feet bicycle, my luggage and flags of countries I visited.

I carry flags of countries I visited in my tailor and of Nepal, of Buddha’s peace flag and of the country I visit in my handle in front of me. And I wear a T-shirt with flags of all countries I visited to feel the warmth, affection and love of everyone I meet in there. Also, flags are the national symbol and they carry the overall cultural, socio cultural strength of the country representing its unity and honor. I too feel honored carrying all the national symbol of unity with me while I travel. Sometimes I just see them and feel their special importance and uniqueness to refresh myself and re-energize moving ahead.

Most of the time in highways, I travel and so do other vehicles. I move slowly like a snail as I said; but those vehicles don’t. For me it seems most of them are always in some hurry and I get almost wiped by the air they blow while passing besides me. I get scared. At the meantime, those flags wave like they are having a party time. I feel it like some lady at her utmost excitement while in a roller-coaster. Sometimes later; those flags and I share our feelings. I get enthused and excited to move ahead and those flags take all my grief. Together, we move again.

Lungta and Darchor are Buddhist holy flags which are believed to purify air. As I have shared in my previous stories, Lungta and Darchor are flags with holy prayers-‘mantra’ written on it. It is believed that air striking Lungta and/or Darchor strikes with the holy prayers-‘mantra’ and the air is purified. For me, those flags have been purifying my heart and sorroundings since 2003.

Those flags and T-shirt makes me familiar and friendly with the desolate lands and terrifying silence. Also, they help me increase togetherness and intimacy in the bustling town and crowded cities. Anyone who gets sight of those symbols of honor takes a double take and some take sincere observation to find one representing their own identity. This helps me to confer my message of world peace and environment protection to people I meet on my journey.

I can’t see them fading as time passes. So, on such a long free time in South Africa, I did something productive. With due respect to the old ones I replaced the flags with new ones. For this Mrs. Suvarna Pradhan and Dr. K.C have helped me a lot. I am grateful for their kindness.

I am very near to celebrate my 9th year of tour. I will be updating soon.

Peace and Harmony,
Furtemba Sherpa