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Invitation for three months, legal for two years
| FROM ISSUE # 149 (May 2008) | IN THIS ISSUE | |||
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Despite having travelled to 99 countries, my visa application was rejected by the French Embassy the first time I applied in London. I was rejected once again in Egypt. It was very difficult to enter the Schengen state at that time because a large number of people from the third world who went to Europe never returned home to their countries. They chose to stay back illegally despite being a representative of their country in the foreign land. 
I came from a country where a minister sold his diplomatic passport for money. He chose to go on a different passport, raising question marks on who actually used his passport to enter Europe. As for me I am carrying my national passport, the 7th one that is. I don't blame them for denying me a visa. I've been travelling around the world and maybe they think Europe is my last destination. Maybe there have been instances where people like me from various countries entered with their bicycle and once there got lost without it.
I had to fly back to Kathmandu to apply for a French visa. I had just enough money for the airfare. My sponsors Philippe and Irena, who live in Rennes, France, had sent me an invitation letter for three months. But I guess the French consulate in Kathmandu were too impressed by me as they gave me a two year multiple entry visa.
I had to get back on the road, this was the last leg of my journey and I had to finish it by all means but I didn't have a ticket. In an attempt to find support I was running from pillar to post in Kathmandu when I met Trilochan. He then introduced me to Manil Raj Rai, the chairman of Unique Vacation, a company that promotes domestic tourism. He was ready to help me by buying me a one-way ticket to Paris.
Happy as I could be, I went to the travel agency for the ticket but found out that they don't sell one-way tickets: an airline rule. So, I had to ask my other friends for loan. I don't know how will I repay the loan as I don't have an income source. Maybe in the years to come when I write my book, I'll pay them back.
Finally, with a ticket to Paris in hand I went to the airport. But Gulf Air asked me pay for my bike as well. I introduced myself to them and told them about my mission. The manager, the angriest woman I have every seen, gave me a discount for 10kg but asked me to pay for the remaining 5kg of my 15kg bike. That would cost $90 and I didn't have enough money. I only had the $20, given to me by singing nun Ani Choying Dolma. The manager wasn't ready to budge and kept asking me if I wanted to fly or not. Finally a man came near her and whispered something in her ears and she let me go. "Nepali women and hot temper don't go together," I told her once my bike was sent to the plane. All she said was, "Run, the plane is waiting for you," with a smile.
Pushcycle
Paris, France
Journey started: 29 November 1998
Aim: To cycle around the world to spread the message of peace and hope within 11 years.
Countries travelled till date: 119
Next Leg: Belgium, the Netherlands