To date, I have logged 8830 miles since departing for this trip. I have visited 24 states and interviewed 53 people. Spoken briefly to over 614 people about this trip and the subject of Freedom. The results of the 5 questions has been varied and interesting. There does not appear to be a pattern of answers based on regions, ethnicity, age groups or political affiliations.
One thing is certain; Americans are generally good people. I have met friendly and helpful folks all the way along the hundreds of towns I have had the pleasure to travel through.
It seems that the majority of the voices I have heard express their concern for the USA and our leaders' roles in shaping our lives and being blamed with everything that is going wrong. Of course we will blame them! Isn't that the norm? Do we really have a leg to stand on when it comes to talking about the government officials and what is happening in the world today? I am learning so much with each new encounter.
Recent answer to the first question:
Q. What does the word Freedom mean to you as a US citizen and individual?
A. Freedom means Knowledge. Money does not give people Freedom as some believe. Knowledge does.
With enough knowledge, one can accomplish almost anything, including acquiring money from the wealthy.
note: after the meeting and discussion today which produced the answer above, I went to lunch. I ate a simple burger and a small order of fries at Sonic Drive-in, Winslow, AZ. As I was waiting for my lunch order to arrive, while sitting on Mozi, I observed a man attempting to eat his lunch at a table under a canopy right in front of Sonic. I was parked about 30 feet away from his table. He walked over to me when he finished his lunch and asked me where I was traveling to. I explained this trip and all he could say was "Wow!". Then he moved right into the subject of asking me for money so he could buy something to eat. Nothing shocks me anymore in life. Not even this bold ignorant move by this man.
I had a little time to waste so...
I asked him how long he has been in this town.
He said he just walked here from "The Res".
I believe he meant the Indian Reservation.
I asked him if he was healthy.
He said he had some back pain.
I asked when was the last time he ate.
He said about 3 days ago.
I showed him my camera. I turned it on and let him view a really clear picture of a man, who looks a lot like him, eating a burger just a few minutes ago.
He didn't even make the connection. Once again, he asked me for money.
I expressed to him my opinion of people who beg for money. Not a bad opinion, only that I do not believe in just handing money to someone, not knowing where that money was going or what it would be used for.
I explained to him that a better approach might be to offer his help to someone without expecting payment. The payment would come all by itself. "My friend, do not ask for money. Ask someone if you can do something for them. Offer yourself, freely and see what happens. You may not gain any money every time, but so what? It will come in time, if you appeal to people's needs and not your own. With this knowledge, you could gain so much Freedom." His eyes lit up a bit.
He looked at me and asked me if there was something he could do for me. I said yes, there is.
"The wind has blown some trash all over the parking lot of Sonic and the waitresses are too busy to pick it up. Why don't you pick it all up and put the trash in one of these cans?"
"Will you give me money if I do it?"
I said no. But someone might, if you do it without asking.
He started picking up the trash and I rode away. This has been a bit heavy on my mind this afternoon. Was I too tough on this guy? Is he a habitual liar? Did he pick up all the trash? Will he do it again, with success?
In my attempt to stay off of the Interstate System, I took someones advise today and headed south on 99, out of Winslow, then east on a dirt road which was told to be 20 miles long. I ended up traveling on that dirt road and three more, totalling 70 miles. After this stressful ride on a slightly bald rear tire on a dirt/gravel road, I jumped on I-40 for the remaining 190 miles. However, I got off of each exit ramp that was marked Historic Route 66, just to travel down the old path, with recent improvements.
I learned something else today that I found to be very valuable; I will not try to do anything. I will do it!
Mozi on...
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