| Amanda Mora – Pleasant Revolution Tour Update |
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| The Travel Log Get comfy, it is a long one! 
Dancing in the streets of Amsterdam
We have come a long way. Perhaps it was in Berlin that all the wonderful elements of Europe really crystallized for me. In terms of magnetic draw to a city, this was beyond anything I have ever experience before. The history of the rise and fall of the eastern block and the soviet occupation is so tangible, but the feeling was of a phoenix rather than damaged goods. I love to see how people are shaped by the presence of history in their daily lives. I really feel like living among ruins gives you a bigger perspective on your life and reminds you of what can happen…the mistakes and triumphs are constantly there to warn and inspire you. It creates a political and social awareness in the people that manifests in a mature civil dialogue about how to live; self organization, the role of government, the boundaries of self responsibility and collective responsibility, the value of art and descent. The anti-fascist movement and the artistic/creative reactions and resistance to fascism is everywhere. The young people are rallied around a social movement that they really understand and think deeply about – more so that anything I have seen in the US. We have a ticket into the heart of alternative bicycle and pop culture in every city because of what we are doing. I have been deeply compelled by the relationship between bicycle and music culture. It is cliche to say that music is the universal language, but so are bicycles. I see that bicycles are available everywhere you go, not dependent on socio-economic status or geo-political circumstance. Both music and bikes offer empowerment, a outlet for self expression, an centralizing point for community, and a positive influence on the health of humanity one a whole. Okay, I know that sounds a little wo-wo-shee-shee, but it is really a bigger picture between music and bikes that is starting to come together in my mind and heart. A Foreign Tribe For example, in Budapest, we were hired by the US Embassy in Hungary to preform at Europe’s largest music festival, The Sziget, with over 600,000 people. It was such an awesome juxtaposition: We set up in front of 4′x5′ posters of Condoleezza Rice, the Clintons, and other past secretaries of state. Here we are, going to the greatest links to stop participating in oil wars and occupations and waste and careless consumption, and yet, this is what America stands for in so many foreign countries. We were a rag-tag group of hippies, in front of a proud stand of American flags, bringing a highly political message. And to our great joy, our presentation brought a lot of confusion, curiosity, and civil debate to the venue. People were brought in by our bicycle performance and alternative message, and then wandered into the embassy station and bringing pointed criticisms and open ears to the representatives of America’s foreign relations policy. Some days, when we are all riding through the country side and we are drafting, I see the sun setting on our little tribe…I am struck by the notion that we are part of the first generation of a new nomadic tribe, setting out to heal the world and heal ourselves along the way. It makes me wonder what the old Aboriginal or Native American tribes would think of us, such a post modern and foreign tribe. None of us is connected by blood, we drive machines that come from machines, we use technology and tools to navigate, we do not travel by natural necessity, but by some urgent quest to heal our world and ourselves. I think they would have a lot to teach us. The Music I perform with a rotating group of musicians, including cellist CelloJoe, flutist Louis Alexander, bassist Kelly Patton, and guitarist Alex Meek. I am marking my map with cities where I felt the greatest musical recognition and resonance. There are many places I would like to come back and live for a month or two to really tap into the music scene a bit more. In the meantime, I am selling CDs and envisioning each one of them as little seeds that are floating out into Europe and while be germinating for an Amanda Mora tour in 2011, when my next album comes out. I have had to deal with a long string of traveling misfortunes…more than my fair share of theft, loss, and sickness. It is almost comical, but I can say that I feel as stripped of my fear and attachment to material possessions as I am stripped of my valuables! I had my main bag stolen in Czech Republic – a danger that I was warned about – which had my passport, money, bank card, jewelry, journal, and everyday goodies like headlamps and pocketknife, address book, ipod, etc. It is embarrassing to admit, because I know better than to put all my eggs in one basket, but it happened none the less, so let this be a lesson. It is so difficult to keep your things together and protected at all times while living on bike…such exposure. Two other crew members had their bags stolen in the next town of Czech Republic. When I arrived in Prague a few days later, I came down with a kidney infection which lead to a flu which lead to me feeling like death and forcing me to go to the emergency room for a quick dose of antibiotics. By the time I had recovered, I caught a violent stomach bug that, well, lets just say it was not pretty and lasted about two weeks. Then I lost my iphone, one of my only valuables I had left. Then I got a head cold…which pretty much concludes my brief history of travel woos and brings us up to now. I fully intend on perfect health and security from this point forward! |
| Where we go from here I am in a little cafe in Ljubljana, Slovenia at the moment. Tomorrow is the beginning of our two week vacation, during which we are all responsible for getting ourselves to Marseilles, France. I plan on staying on the Croatian island of Krk for a week, then cycling/training through northern Italy and the southern coastline of France to arrive in Marseilles on September 4th. Then we go to Toulouse, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Porto. We will have our last show in Porto Portugal on Halloween. Still do not know how we are getting back, but most likely we will return to London and catch the Quenn Mary 2 back to New York on November 10th. I apologize this letter is sooooooo looooooong, but you have to strike while the iron is hot. I send my love and would welcome your own updates!  P.S. Three things I will never take for granted in the USA again: free hot water at every convenient store, free toilets, and the bottomless cup of coffee, all things that are hard to come by over here. P.S.S. The fact that I actually own a car back home seems utterly bizarre to me right now, and the idea of getting in it and driving seems gross. Pretty deep transformation going on here.
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