The end...NOT!!!

Hello everyone! finally, 3 days after the big finale I get a chance to post my last blog, as far as the ride is concern :)

Well, the end was..not what I expected, I mean, I guess deep inside I wanted a nice reception and lots of people to be waiting for me at the end. Finishing was definitely good enough for me, I just wanted to get there and declare my trip done. I will try and describe the end as best as I can but this is one of those times when one would say..wish you were here!!

It happens that the last day was only 60 miles long. It was a very hilly ride and although I had some very nice long descents where I was able to reach 41.9 miles an hour, my legs were very tired and I was ready to be done. I rode very slow the first 30 miles and was pressed to pedal pretty hard the last 30 because we stooped for a long lunch and the hills turned out to be pretty steep.
well, 7 miles before the final pedal stroke was made, we stopped one last time. There were last minute plans to be made for the arrival, (which I did not know about) I was jut told to rest a bit. So I rested for another 30 minutes. It was 5:45 in the afternoon when we finally got on our way. One mile later I was already at the edge of town where some 10-15 children met me in their bicycles. two others had been biking with me off and on for the past 60 miles.
Now with a group of about other 17 people on bikes, we started to descent into the town. One patrol truck had been leading me for the last 60 miles, 5 others joined in and about 6 police motorcycles joined also! One ambulance and about 5 other cars joined in the group. I was lead into the center place of the city where we did a lap around the main plaza. All traffic was stopped for us to go through and people cheered on the side lines. Then we preceded to ride toward the neighborhood where I grew up (this was the place I was to finish). We did a lap around the neighborhood and then we stopped in the local theatre. At least 600 people were there, fire works were set off and people chanted VIDAS DE ESPERANZA, and my name too! The local radio station was following my arrival live, they started coverage of it since 4:pm that afternoon. I was interviewed as soon as i got of the bike for the last time on this trip.
Question one: "How do you feel?" Tired and happy to be done
"2,193. miles what is it like? would you do it again?" It is fine the first few days but then you get tired and then your mind gets tired too then you just keep going with your heart, its hard. I would not want to leave my family for that long ever again but if they came with me I would think about it but right now I just want to rest :)
"there are tears in your eyes can you explain how you feel?" I am very surprised by the reception, I did not expect this, its a great feeling to know that people care, I spent a lot of time alone on the bike, this is worth it.
"there are a lot of children here and a lot more listening, what would be your message to them?" Do not let anyone tell you "you can't do it" everything is possible but don't just dream, follow your dreams and make sure you help someone along the way.

I was very humbled by this welcoming, over 500 people sang Happy Birthday to me, I mean c'mon that is nice hu?

I left this country 18 years ago, no one noticed I was gone, I'm sure. I was just another kid who could not make it in this country, in this city, in this Barrio. I left with dreams of the "American Dream". Now I got back to this country, this city, this Barrio, and I am lucky to be sharing my "American Dream" with this barrio and many others, but I call it, "The will to do for others what no one else will" and I do it through Vidas de Esperanza and you all. Thank you.


I have learned so much on this trip that I cannot explain here, about my self, my family, life..friends.
I want to thank all of you for your messages again, the texts, the calls the emails the phone calls.
Thanks to my mom and dad for helping me out with my children the whole time I was gone. I learn how to give from them and I ma very proud to be their son.

I want to thank Florinda Jonhson and Ran Bell for believing in me and Vidas. I want to thank Robin for giving me the tools I needed to get through this. The list is very long and all of you are in it thank you all so much.


Kate Morris, Thank you for your unbreakable will to make sure others get a chance in life. Thank you for your dedication, optimism, trust and your belief in what we do. Thank you for putting up with me for 25 days! Kate, Vidas is indebted to you, I am indebted to you, many times I could have needed some help but I did not because you were always there, this trip would not have been the same without you. Kate was the perfect person for this trip, her dedication to what we do makes my job easier :) and her friendship makes my life better. Thank you Kate.

Liz; I would not be able ot do the job I do if I did not have Liz. Liz I am who I am because you love me.

This is not the last you all will hear from me. This trip took alot out of me, I am about 15 pounds lighter and about 3 shades darker:) I am tired, sore and sleepy. But I am also stronger, I am more confident. But above all I am still Ascary, the dude who just wants to help, I am just a man who thinks we all deserve a chance and because of that I will be back with another crazy idea for why YOU should give Vidas your money ;) so, until then, Stay tuned!
Ascary

To Liliana, Ava and Sulema:
Hijas Papi loves you. Remember there is nothing in life that makes me more happy than to see you happy, I'm sorry I had to be gone for such a long time but I have a feeling one day you will read this and you will understand. Hijas la vida tiene muchos retos pero nuestros mayores retos deben ser puestos por nosotros mismos. Nunca, pero nunca duden que ustedes pueden cambiar el mundo. Las quiero mucho
Love papi.
PS. tell mami I love her