Follow Ramesh's Journey

With 11 public speaking activities today alone, this was by far one of the road team’s busiest days ever. It started off when we left the Hilton Saint John – where rooms have been donated to us – with our wonderful guide and host Marilyn Singh at 6:30 am. Marilyn led the team out to Rothesay where we were invited to present at the Rothesay-Kings Rotary Club. This group of Rotarians (along with the Rotary Club of Saint John’s C2W Committee and several other members) was intensely supportive of Cycle to Walk, and they showed tremendous support afterwards with both kind words and financial contributions to the campaign. 

Prior to the formal presentation at the Rotary meeting, CBC Radio’s Gary Mittelholtz met me in the lobby for a live interview. Shortly after the Rothesay-Kings Rotary meeting, we were off to Saint John City Hall for a meeting with Councillor Christopher Titus and Allan Rouse. Allan provided us with a wonderful tour of City Hall, and taught us some of the history of Saint John – which is Canada’s oldest incorporated city. Everyone on the team was then invited to sign the city’s guest book.

The team went straight from City Hall to set up for an upcoming presentation in the courtyard at Market Square mall. In the meantime, I participated in an interview outside with CBC television. We all spent the next few hours at Market Square selling t-shirts, taking donations and spreading the word about Cycle to Walk. CTV news came by and we conducted an interview between presentations out on the boardwalk. Thank you to everyone at the Hardman Group, which runs Market Square, for welcoming the campaign and letting us spread the word about the global polio situation at such a nice venue. Staff and security were all there and willing to help us with anything we needed.

Before our second presentation, I met with Constable Greg Lenihan of the Saint John Police Force. In the lead-up to the presentation, Constable Lenihan provided me with an indoor police escort with his scooter! I can’t say that anything like this has ever happened before. Management and staff from the Hilton Hotel came to hear our second presentation, which was really nice. Everyone at the Hilton Saint John has just been so accommodating and supportive to us during our visit. Thank you so much for providing such comfortable beds, wonderful food, and fabulous views of the Bay of Fundy. Tammy LeBlanc, from Saint John Rotary’s C2W Committee, is the reason we’re able to stay here. We sure appreciate the fact that we can be based in such a central location during these busy days in Saint John.

Kip Veale has been able to meet up with her son David while we’re here in town. It’s been great to see David – we haven’t seen one another since we were kids living up in Whitehorse. David and his business partner Marilyn Singh from Vision Coaching have been so supportive of the Cycle to Walk campaign. Vision Coaching increased its level of campaign sponsorship this week, and Marilyn has been our guide and point-gal since we first set foot in town.

This afternoon, Doug and I were treated to complimentary deep-tissue massages by John MacKenney at Fusion Heath and Wellness. Before our evening activities commenced, there was a quick stop for interviews at Country 94.1 and 97.3 The Wave FM. The DJs at each station were just so excited to learn more about polio and share the message of Cycle to Walk with their listeners.

Tonight, Louise Beland – a member of Saint John Rotary Club’s C2W Committee – hosted a BBQ at her home. Rotarians, their families, and the Reverend Wally Corey and his wife Lynne joined us. To our surprise, President John Buchanan (another committee member and great supporter) and several members of the Rotary Club of Saint John provided the campaign with a donation right in Louise’s living room! Immediately afterwards, it was time to chow down on my first lobster of the campaign, socialize, and play Chinese checkers with my new friend Nicholas. Thanks everyone in the Saint John area for supporting Cycle to Walk and helping us organize our stay here, and thanks so much to the en-route team members. Everyone worked hard to make today what it was. You are all amazing and I appreciate your efforts to ensure Cycle to Walk’s message is being shared with the people of Saint John and beyond.     

Take care, everyone. After a great, successful, busy day like we had today, I think a good rest is in order!