It is strange that I found myself resisting writing very much about this trip. I am, after all, a writer. This is what I do. This is how I live. But I guess, sometimes, I like to take my time. Maybe I have an aversion to "watching myself" as I ride across the United States. Maybe I find it displeasing to expose my thoughts every step of the way.

But we've gone almost half way across the country. And we've had a breather of sorts-- a two-day rest day. So I guess I'm ready to "talk".

Here are some random thoughts on my bike, "the Aurora," as I rode through San Franciso to Colorado:

"Ang Lahat ng Bagay ay Magka-ugnay"

That means "Everything is interconnected." Well, at least that's a crude translation. That subtitle is also the title of a favorite song of mine written and sung by Filipino activist and folksinger Joey Ayala.

Just this morning, we had an exercise where each rider thought of a social justice concern they would like to devote some time to, then took a long piece of string and wound it around the wrist of another rider whose topic was somehow connected to theirs. A very good exercise, I thought.

But it brought me back to an observation I have shared with Allegra, Brian, and Ellen.

I said that somehow, I found Americans very self-absorbed. That I found a lack of interest in things going on outside their country.

I remember Brian asking me if this was somewhat a bias that I had before I joined Bike-Aid. But I told him, it was what struck me when I joined the group. And aren't we striving for honesty and learning and pushing our comfort level on this ride?

Don't get me wrong. I like this bunch of people I am spending these two months with on the road. I have good conversations with them individually. But overall, the United States, to them, is pretty much like the only place on earth.

I've told Brian and Allegra that I've been with fellow Asians and met lots of Europeans and some people from Africa. And I've always enjoyed their curiosity about the world around them. Always was pleased that they wanted to learn other languages and wanted to hear me talk about my country. Were often mindful of cultural differences they would have to adjust to while dealing with people from other countries.

Often, with most of my co-riders, these traits were not present at all. For some, I've observed insensitivity to cultural differences. Frivolity even.

Maybe it's because the United States is so big and so powerful. I think Bike-Aid could be an invitation for them to explore the world outside the United States. But I definitely think a social justice experience, perhaps outside the country would be a good follow-up. Maybe then that exercise with strings and social justice topics would have a more resounding ring of truth.

(To be continued...)

--Natasha Viscarra