BBC | LongWayDown | Road Log

Children

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:27:22 GMT

Years ago I was able to raise money for new doors in a SOS Children's Village in Jamaica, when the old ones had been eaten away by termites. Keep up the good work! I'm supporting UNICEF too. Love to you all and to all the children you meet along the road!

Amazing and frightening.

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:33:52 GMT

'Fellas, 'Good-on-ya to bring attention to this horrific situation. The video portion showing the 'simulated live fire' explosion with the young man made me jump right out of my seat. Not to be morbid but out of genuine concern, on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being 'no risk' and 10 being 'very likely to occur' at what level do the experts place your risk for encountering a land mine in the area while motorcycling through? May God keep you.

Kosovo - 1999

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:49:12 GMT

Reading this reminded me of my tour in Kosovo in the army. We were there as peacekeepers and we visited this UN refugee camp. What stuck in my mind was the children, so young and they didnt have any idea of what was really going on. But they just laughed and smiled all the time, worth the trip

Generosity

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:02:22 GMT

It never ceases to amaze me that in a supposed �harsh� world, there are always people out there willing to lend you a hand when you need it the most � the sad thing is, these people seldom realize what type of an impact they have had on our lives � so a big thank-you to all of you! Tomorrow I am embarking on a 1,600km 2-day motorcycle road trip, let�s hope I meet a few of them out there. Richard T.

People

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:18:14 GMT

Meeting people is what travelling is all about. I can't compare any of my meetings to those of Ewan & Charley at the UNICEF projects, but anyone who travels just to see sights or only meets those in their own group is missing the point. Get out there and meet people - they're great!!

Travelling Equals People

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:10:19 GMT

Besides being in a new enviroment with unbelievable sights, it's ALWAYS the people that you meet on these journeys that complete your travels.
It's the one thing that a person can take away from a trip that remains with you forever.
One experience of many I'll share is while my wife and I were in Honduras. Our taxi driver took us to his home to introduce us to his family. Lots of little boys this Father had. We drank raw coconut juice, and laughed with them. They were so proud to have us at their home. I can't say they were poor, because they were so happy. That was good times!
Thanks for allowing us to relive "Good Times", as well as be a part of LWD's!

People..

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:19:20 GMT

It makes me feel so sad to see these children...compared to their problems our "problems" just seem to meaningless.. keep up your work for UNICEF

Thoughts

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:58:38 GMT

Hi Ewan & Charlie, Like LWR, there are two stories going on, the motorcycle adventure and meeting the people on your adventure. Both stories are compelling, but the stories of the people and children you meet are the ones that hit home and stay with you. Be careful, all of you! Latcho Drom Brad Britton

genuine people

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:56:21 GMT

chaps, you're so fortunate! The people of africa are so humble and humbling. They live with so much hardship, so many difficulties and yet they just keep smiling and get on with it. Amazing people, can't wait to hear what you think about Zambia, that was my fave place from our Africa trip. ~cuttsy~ http://www.cuttsy.com

unicef

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:45:16 GMT

thank you for sharing your experiences with the children! it was wonderful to see! i hope all of the world can come together and help these families. thank you for bringing attention to it and for making a difference! take care!

Children

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 20:03:57 GMT

Just want to comment on the "Tattoo" video. There is something so powerful in the innocence and wonder of children. Ewan, you literally got an arm-full of it...trying be appropriately serious to the circumstances and the children are in awe of your tattoo! You just have to enjoy and laugh at the moment. My husband and I volunteer with Special Olympics and have had moments like that. It gives you pause, makes you thankful and want to do more. Keep doing what you're doing! You guys are great!

Ewan and children

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 20:13:29 GMT

I really haven't meet any one or situation like Ewan, Charley, and the team are meeting in their Unicef visits. It is very sad to see all these children being mamed by the landmines. I must say, Ewan is just wonderful with the children. It was espically lovely to see that the children can still have fun, with Ewan's tattoo. It seems, that whenever Ewan is around the children, they just light up and so does Ewan. Please keep safe going through these places with landmines. And I am glad that you have some protection with you going through some rough spots. Ride safe and be safe--Char

Keep up the good work!

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 20:44:59 GMT

Well done guys for keeping up the awareness on the excellent work UNICEF do. All the best.

What a gift!

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 22:04:27 GMT

Can you really blame the kiddos for being facinated with that tat? It's gotten quite a bit more complicated and colourful than it was before. Seriously, though not being much of a children person myself it did make me happy and smile like one to hear them giggle so. What a wonderful blessing to know that just by affording them some awareness that both sides come away with something that lasts forever.

CHILDREN'S LAUGHTER

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 22:35:50 GMT

Wonderful to see how welcoming and friendly the children are in your video clip "TATTOO"...laughter has no language boundaries!

poor children

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 22:34:33 GMT

the kids need live the childhood in free. none kid must live a war. no one in the world. nice job guys

Inspirational Children

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 22:53:38 GMT

These people really are an inspiration. Living with such danger in their lives and carrying on regardless. I guess you have to, really. It puts it all in perspective, when people in this country might complain about mundane things like the weather or running out of milk or something, and here are these children living with the constant danger of being blown up yet whenever I see them on TV they always look so happy. I guess we could learn a lot from them. Love Shellie

Land Mines

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 01:26:58 GMT

To often i take my life for granted.Living in Australia i will never know the horrors of living in a war zone.To be able to walk around knowing you are safe, where ever you go, is all i have ever known. I hope all the children of the world can have that same feeling of safety someday. Stay safe LWD team. Stay upright boys.

Some of that must be heartbreaking

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 02:16:58 GMT

I think it's great you folks are continuing to use the Long Way series as a vessel to carry these stories out to the greater public.

Orphans

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 03:16:11 GMT

I worked in an orphanage in Guatemala for 8 months back when I was in college. It was probably the most life changing experience I have ever had. It was much harder leaving them there when my time was over than it ever was leaving my friends and family to go to the orphanage. They all came from such tragic circumstances and yet they were the most loving children I have ever met.

Again the kids are happy

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 08:40:27 GMT

Despite their misfortunes - the kids are still happy. Well done everyone. Danksy

ewans smile

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 11:49:42 GMT

the smile on ewan's face when he is meeting the children says it all. you are both doing a wonderful thing for unicef.

hight

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 13:29:31 GMT

Are the people there so short?I Know that Ewan is about 180 cm and all of the people around him are looking so much shorter. Loved the part with the tatoo.The kids are looking so happy,they are always laughing and love how Ewan reacted.Alway so ood with childre.Love you for that

Awfull

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 13:39:46 GMT

What an awfull thing happend to thes kids....wars are evil and only if we could stop them.Believe me I know what war can do to you And Charley,this la la la sound,Iknow that voice.We hear almost in every wedding or happy event.lol.Can't say I love it but it mean happiness so it's good

One in every port...

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 16:51:28 GMT

I don�t think I�ve ever been to a country and not met at least one special person who has vastly improved the trip. Raphael in the Dominican Republic who brought us sweet fudge from his daughter, Isabella, Vicnus Warren in Kuala Lumpur who kept the bar open late and told religious stories �til 3am, Mon who celebrated her 30th birthday at a club in Hat Yai with us, Ahmed in Marrakech who found our beautiful Riad and took us for the biggest meal EVER, Magdy in Egypt who tried to teach me to ride a quad bike on two wheels and broke Ramadan�s fast with us in the Sinai Desert, Milton who drove us across Costa Rica stopping for a drink and a dip at Arenal�s hot springs and teaching us Salsa, our friends Yari & Yanixa in Panama, for everything, and most recently, Charles, who we met on a train from Paris to Chartres and ended up giving us a lift to our hotel on the condition that we spread the word that French people are incredibly nice (they are!!).

One in every port... (cont.)

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 16:55:57 GMT

I�ll never stop travelling and I�ll never stop meeting new people and making new friends � It�s what I live for. Ewan and Charly, I�ve probably watched the whole of Long Way Round about 3 times since my boyfriend gave it to me for xmas 2005. Every time I suffer from wanderlust and feel stuck at home, I watch the DVD and it picks me up and I start to get excited about the prospect of a new trip. I can�t wait for Long Way Down to come out, especially since I�ve been dreaming of visiting Sub-Saharan Africa for years. But in the meantime I hope you enjoy and cherish every step of your journey. God bless you both and keep you safe from harm.

Love the kids!

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 20:19:31 GMT

Lovely touching video! Does it make you think about adopting to help out another child? You've done so much to bring awareness to them already through UNICEF. BTW, I think you are safer in Africa right now than in London or Scotland!

Great job, lads!

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 20:57:36 GMT

Just want to give you both a big "thumbs up" for raising awareness of the whole land mine mess in Africa. I'm living vicariously thru your adventures on this trip (as I did in your last "excellent adventure") and I'm just as proud of you both for remembering the children once again! Carry on! ;-)

There is something WRONG with the world...

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 22:12:22 GMT

At the moment, I can't really think about the people I've met 'cause my mind is still on the clips.. It's truly unbeleivable, the amount of destruction that humans are capable of... It seems that there is ALWAYS a group of people destroying and another group healing & fixing. And as a result, the innocents that are caught in the middle of this pay a terrible, terrible price.. There is something just so WRONG with the world... It's truly remarkable seeing these people, trying to make the best of their difficult situation and just try to get on with their lives. Despite the hardships they face, they still smile and stay positive. It also serves as a reminder to appreciate what we have - from basics such as clean water to safety to health - and be thankful for it... Take care guys and ride safe, OK?

GP ASSEN.

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 04:56:06 GMT

Gday guys. Some GP news from Assen round. Rossi; first, Stoner; second, Hayden; third. Stoner lead from start till 3 to go when Rossi passed and took it home. Stay safe team, stay upright boys.

Tatoo

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 14:51:18 GMT

Your tatoo is facinating Ewan. How long have you had it and what does it symbolize?

Touching Tattoo

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:08:12 GMT

Dorothy, the tattoo has the names of Ewan's wife and daughters in a big heart. This is such a touching clip in many ways. Am looking forward to seeing this section of the programme. Seems like you had another emotional experience with the Unicef project. Well done. Hope it goes a long way to raise awareness. Vxx