Reflections on the Run – Part 5
This was it…the last day…as had become customary we all rose early and headed out…Hermione was not healthy; Kieran was finding extra neutral gears and our front wheel was aiming further right by the minute, but we only had 150 something KM’s to cover and on day 13 our run would be over…off we went.
I have to say that even given the problems we blasted the run to Kochi…making it past the last big city with no hang-ups and although traffic in Kochi was a bit crazy we found our way to the fort…passing team Live and Let Chia and their broken Tuk…a stark reminder of what can happen to these fragile little beasts.
A few stops, questioned locals and mad pointing later we made it to the club and the finish line where we crossed in the same convoy we had started in…I think the only group to achieve that little feat! Oh and most importantly in joint 10th place…which out of 46 odd teams is not a bad result at all.
The finish was a little disappointing no big fan fare…just a bit of paperwork and few shook hands / war stories later and we were off to a local hotel…the next few days were a whirlwind of relaxation and catching up with other teams to share tales from the road…we shopped, ate, drank, saw some elephants (and a rather nasty little zoo) and enjoyed one of the best boat rides of my life before partying hard on the final day….I’m sure I’m missing some stories here…heck I know I am, but that’s not what I wanted this last blog to be about, I want to do some summing up.
The Run was an amazing experience…trying, testing and at times I could have easily packed it in and come home but I was lucky, I had a good friend with me and met some amazing people along the way, and although it was hard, the things I saw and the memories I made on that trip will last a lifetime.
India is a phenomenal place, a country in constant flux moving from the second world into a position that should make it one of the leading economies in the world…to achieve that with all the challenges they have shows the not only the resilience of the Indian spirit but also their staunch determination to improve their country and build better lives for the next generation…I met some great people in India and I wish them all the good fortune they deserve, I just hope the money we raised goes a small way to making a better future for everyone.
If I’ve learnt anything from the run its to value the people around me, to put trust in them and to work every day to try and be a better person to support them and help them develop.
Peace
Matt
