My Cousin Brad

Brad came. He’s my cousin who lives in Vancouver.
He’s been traveling the West of America, but he’s smarter than me; he drove a car.
He looked fine. He’s got tanned skin. He must have spent lots of time on Californian beach.

“What you’re doing it awesome, even though I don’t understand why you’re doing this.”
I told him about this “My Great America” project, pursuing the “True America”. He said ‘Great’ but I could read from his expression on his face that what he really wanted to say was “Whatever”
He’s been in USA for 2 weeks. He spent 400 dollars in Vegas. “I didn’t lose anything” he said, “plus, I had lots of fun!”

I told him to take me to a place where I can repair my bicycle.

I'm sure I can't find it within 100 mile radius.

The Mother Road

On the "Mother Road"

Route 66

Distance: 64 miles to Kingman
Temp: 84 F

Every sign said “route 66” route 66 motel, Route 66 gas station. They even had “Route 66 water”
It was just like the movie ‘Cars’ that I watched this spring. Old cars, small road on vast desert.
I rode through many towns but most of them were ghosttowns.
I felt like I was traveling across a Western movie.
For the 8hours I spent riding, I’ve used my imagination to picture what it was like to be here 100 years ago.

It couldn’t have been this desolate.

Hot weather

Distance: 54miles

Temp: 95 F

It’s hot. So hot that I thought I would be evaporated.

I hate myself.
But I cannot quit yet.
I have be remain strong.

I know this trip will be rewarding.

Las Vegas

Diana: i don't think cycling is the best way to cross the USA, izaka
Why don't we just gamble?

Izaka: you're right. We'll be gambling for the next a few months.

City in a desert

At least, i don't have to go to NYC to see the Statue of Liberty.

I've seen it all.

I just go

because I started.

Death Valley

I don't know how i got here. A van stopped and an American family from Ohio rescued me in Ridgecrest.

We stopped in Death Valley. it was 120 degrees Fahrenhiet.

It was like hell. And it could have gotten a lot worse. It feels like being in a fridge, closed and uplugged.

Everybody makes mistake. Kathy married Tom, Bush is the president, Clinton married Clinton.

I think not every mistake is forgiven.

Hollywood

Meeting Mary Poppin on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Mary Poppin : What a Freak you are!

izaka : What?

Mary Poppin: What's wrong with you? you carrying this big headed doll and taking pictures and all that...

Izaka: Her name is Diana. Diana Angel.

Mary Poppin: By the way, we accept tips. (I give her one dollar) oh, god. Give me two, C'mon!!You took lots of pictures.

the conversation

my friend: What is this?

Izaka: Diana Angel

LA

Lost in map.

disneyland

Izaka: Was it fun?

Diana: yes. It was fun. We should come here more often.

An Unknown Asian in LA

I arrived LA on the 13th of August 2006.

Sunny sky, warm weather. nothing happend.

I'm preparing for a trip that might cost my life.

I don't mind if the trip is not fun.

I hope I can go back to Korea with some kind of a life lesson.

"How I can die in USA"

List of ways I can die on the “My Great America” trip (that my friends told me)


- Getting shot on the road in a bad neighborhood in LA
- cheating with the ex-wife of an ex-football player/actor
- Hit by a truck
-Hit by a taxi in Chicago
-Bored to death
- AIDS
- Food poisoning
- Encounter with Big Foot
- Heat stroke
- Hunger
- DUI
- Eaten by a hungry eagle in Nevada
-Suicide.

and

.....excuted in Texas for riding bicycle in a private property.


(....it was fun until I got to realize the reality of this trip.)

List of "Things I'm taking to USA"

Here’s the list of the things I take to America:

"Lexus" (my bicycle)
- (I already disassembled it and put it in a box. I have to put it together in the airport of Los Angeles. It freaks me out when a big crowd gathers around, just like it happened in Cuba."

“Bob Yak” - bicycle trailer
Helmet
Cycle Repair Kit
Bike tent
Sleeping bag
3 T-shirts
1 short pants
3 pairs of socks
2 set of cycling clothes
Personal hygiene stuff
Bible
3 books by Mark Twain
Lonely Planet Guide book “USA”
Lomo Camera
Canon 5D
17-40mm Lens
Canon G5
2 memory cards
Blanket
Map of America (2006, Michelin)


57 lbs….


....obviously, a lot heavier than I ought to carry on my trailer.....

Farewell Concert for Izaka

The farewell concert was fun. Lots of people came to the club to see my band “Young Lions” perform.

We played some of the songs by Kim Kwang Seok, Eric Clapton, Sanulim, Jo Yong Pil.
But now I’m under huge pressure. I can't say “I’m not going”. They will ask for refund for the ticket they bought.