#Day-3OnTheClimateTrain

By the third day, we all are going a little stir crazy, jumping off at every whistle stop for the Smokers Break. Stretching, jumping, dancing or whatever. The night before there was an almost all night party in the observation car by some of our party–– who had acquired a minimally clothed energetic flexible dancer who teamed up with one of our dancing boys. She was reprimanded by the conductor several times, threatening to throw her off at the next stop because, I quote: “You are enticing my customers.”

Did I forget the lovely Amish families who were traveling East as well? They looked very peaceful, if a wee bit disconcerted by our motley crew passing back and forth through the train. I imagine no one has to inform them about climate change.

By this time I was so sleep deprived I had stopped taking photos or videos which I am having trouble uploading so there are no graphics to go with this somewhat strange leg of the journey, but I leave it to your imagination.

#Day-1OnTheClimateTrain

So we somehow all found each other waiting outside the Emeryville station. I sort of expected someone would have a sign or be in costume. I saw the photos online of the group that left yesterday on this same route, and you could recognize these people were looking for attention, and yes the media was there so that was the strategy. But how we all configured was some strange osmosis of like excitement or anticipatory vibes. Very nice and friendly folks of various ages united in purpose! Here is a short video of finding our seats in the car Amtrak reserved for us. When we pick up our last fellow travelers in Sacramento we have decided to hold a group meet in the observation or cafe car to get introduce ourselves to each other in more depth.

#Day-2OnThe ClimateTrain

By the second day ,I was astonished  at how hard it was to sleep in coach, how dirty and user unfriendly were the toilets and how interesting and thoughtful were my fellow climate travelers. I was now getting familiar with all the personas having spent indepth chatting time with several of them, over coffee in the café, or taking in the magnificent scenery rolling by us in the observation car. My first indepth conversation was with journalist Chris Cook (author of Diet for a Dead Planet) and frequent contributor to Mother Jones and the Bay Guardian.  

As the days wore on, I became impressed by Cook’s professional and dedicated manner. I –who had fully intended to blog constantly—got overcome by the technical difficulties, sleepless state, and general mayhem due to being squeezed in such close quarters, but Cook kept dutifully taking notes as people tried to present their areas of expertise in the crowded aisle of our car, with “normal” travelers trying to make their way through the blocked aisle on their way to the observation or dining cars, while our enthusiastic conductor would periodically break in with his enthusiastic narration of the  landmark sites we were passing through. I was honored to have been quoted in Cook’s article online at Earth Island Journal:x.php/elist/eListRead/all_aboard_the_peoples_climate_train/

#MinimalistPackingForThe ClimateTrain

Today I felt nervous about what I was doing. I decided to take as little as possible with me so that it all fits in only one medium-size backpack. I know New York and I am staying way out in Brooklyn, so I felt better being light as possible. After all, this march is is about changing the paradigm, so that means learning to tone down our lifestyles as well. I have done a lot of traveling alone in my life, and I realize I always feel better and enjoy myself more when I'm not juggling two or three bags at a time.
I know I could have used a little roller too, but I like the idea that I can just run when I want to.

Bruno, my bear, was overseeing my packing job, hoping that he would be included as a wonderful pillow and/or neck rest as he has been so many times before, but I am still weighing that possibility. As it stands now, I have listed the items in order of priorities:

Wallet/Portemonnaie
iPhone, Airbook, iPad, earbuds and chargers (yes, it's embarrassing that I am so digital-dependent.)
Filter waterbottle.
Two small paper notebooks for journal notes and drawing and list making.
Drawing pencil and pens.
Small see-through case of deodorant, toothbrush/paste/comb /cream/floss and emergency meds.
Sunglasses, reading glasses and distance glasses
One extra T-shirt
Three changes of underwear/three pairs socks
Rain/windbreaker
Utra-light down jacket (stuffs into a pocket).
Warm beanie.
My Calvin Kleins to go over my leggings in case it gets cold.

Andrew Deutz, The Nature Conservancy

“Climate change is perhaps the greatest long-term threat to biodiversity conservation but it’s also perhaps the greatest social justice challenge of the 21st century.”

#NoMatterHowBig

As I went about my day today trying to organize my self to leave in three days, live on a train with not much sleep, not much room, no access to wireless, and little access to good food, I wondered at the level of planning needed by the organizers of this March. I went to the website 350.org and looked up the actions in other cities around the world.


I looked at the two cities where I had once lived and learned the language, Berlin and Istanbul. I saw that each city was taking a different approach. Berlin is calling theirs: The Silent Climate Parade, and Istanbul’s title is Action, Not Words. It is so thrilling to think about how many of us there are from completely different backgrounds and languages, in different time zones at different angles to the sun and moon, all of us thinking and feeling the same: save this planet, stop this madness!

No matter how big the challenges and obstacles that lie ahead, no matter how seemingly complicated, we can do it all of us together in collaboration. We can really change ourselves, and change the economy and the imbalances and injustices we have just accepted throughout history.

Romina Picolotti, President of FundaciónCedha (Center for Human Rights and Environment) “My message is: Do whatever you can, small or big, to help us fight against climate change!”