Rickshaw Run 2012: Shillong to Jaisalmer

Andrew Rozier-Smolen Andrew Johnson is raising money for Frank Water Projects
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Rickshaw Run Autumn 2012 - Frank Water Projects · 22 September 2012 ·

Frank Water sets up sustainable, community-owned clean water projects in some of the poorest communities in India and Nepal. To date we've worked with 747 communities, providing access to safe, clean drinking water to over 513,229 people. Join us and be part of the solution.

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If Charles Darwin were still alive today, he would specifically site the Rickshaw Run as a definitive example of Social Darwinism in action.  Participants who willingly and excitedly partake in an odyssey so breathtakingly absurd, both in scope and means, could only possibly be maligned with delusions of invincibility, double digit IQ's, any number of ailments classified in the DSM V, or they are simply LUNATICS.

What specifically is the Rickshaw Run?  This coming September, Andrew and Andrew shall be attempting to traverse the Indian Sub-continent from Shillong in the Far East to the desert of Jaisalmer, 68 miles shy of the Pakistani border, in the West, in a three wheeled motorized rickshaw (aka adult tricycle and part time death trap).  We will be covering an estimated distance of 1,782 miles, or approximately the distance from New York City to Denver.  However, this is no ordinary motorized tricycle mind you.  In a feat of pure short-bus engineering, our rickshaw, is outfitted with a pavement eating 7 horsepower engine (approx. 25 hamsters) rests on wheels that are more effective in a pair of rollerblades, and possess the approximate reliability of a three legged blind donkey.  See what we're talking about?  STUPID.

Besides the Cro-Magnon engineering we will be wrestling with every day, we will also be taxed with trying to avoid  deadly leopard attacks along our route<http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/08/10054121-leopard-scalps-man-during-deadly-attack-in-india> not just in one city but in multiple locations<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/20/leopard-attack-india_n_904033.html#s311991http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/20/leopard-attack-india_n_904033.html>, combatting the infamous lower intestine Indian welcome gift known as Deli-Belly, attempting to avoid fiery crashes throughout the Indian "highway system", fighting off immense fatigue driving 18 hours a day on roads resembling the crater scared lunar surface, praying we do not contract Hepatitis A, B and C, and innumerable exotic diseases, securing potable water on a daily basis, and simply trying to stay alive, all in an effort to be able to laugh in Sir Darwin's face. Thou shall overcome!

Let's dismiss our obvious decision making fallacies for willing signing up for such a treacherous adventure to wantonly put Sir Charles Darwin to the test for a moment.  Aside from being two gentlemen of leisure and adventure, we have committed ourselves to raising as many greenbacks as possible to support Frank Water<http://www.frankwater.com/>. Aye!  We are but philanthropists as well! In their own words, "Since 2005 we (Frank Water) have been funding clean water projects in India. We have focused on removing bacteria, viruses & chemicals using different types of filters. All FRANK water projects are sustainable, community run rural village projects for villagers living below the poverty line. We have funded 70 projects to date and have plans for many more."

We thank-you for your donation and look forward to sharing with you our adventure and more specifically how your donations are helping with first hand experiences.

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