Speach by Tatsu Sakamoto; Cycle Around the World

"Cycling Around The World"

by Tatsu Sakamoto

KIFA met Mr. Sakamoto for the first time 3 years ago. It was at Ms. Mio Yamazaki's trip report meeting, who also was a speaker at one of KIFA's event and who had just finished cycling 5,000km trip alone through Africa trip. We found out then that he was her advisor and asked him to come to KIFA and share experiences with us. It was 3 years ago and here he is today!
 
Starting in 1995, he took paid holidays from work for 4 years and 3 months and cycled around the world. Today he appeared on the stage in a Guinean costume. We later found out that he had been saved his life in Guinea while he was traveling. Mr. Sakamoto thought it was the key to succeed to thoroughly prepare for the trip, so he spent 3 years for preparation for his around-the-world trip. He traveled 55,000km on his bike, visiting 43 countries carrying 40kg baggage. The slide show of his trip photos was shown on the screen, while a piano melody composed by the pianist, Yukie Nishimura, was flowing in the hall. Every photo was sending out messages from Mr. Sakamoto.
 
The episode in Guinea impressed the audience the most. He was stricken by both malaria and dysentery at the same time in a village in Guinea. His life was really in danger but then he was given the very last injection left there and his life was saved. His gratitude for this has lead him to building wells and clinics projects. Some of the interesting episodes apart from this are eating worms in Cameroun, being left at a loss in a flood in Botswana, or being covered with his own urin blown by a strong wind in Patagonia, Algentina. He has a good sense of humor and he turned even very difficult situations into fun episodes. He picked Namib desert in Namibia as the most beautiful place on the earth, and he even demonstrated the paryer of the Koran.
 
He says there are a lot of things he learns from children when he gives speaches, and here are three promises for them to make their dreams come true; "Greet people", "Tell people that you are thankful to them" and "Keep on doing what you can".

After his speech many people stood in a line for his autograph on his books. He was willing to be taken photos, too. We learned there are people who don't forget thanking even in very difficult environment and situation. I felt as if my heart was purified knowing about those people.

March 9, 2008 

(click photos to enlarge)