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Dhaka Day by Day

Prophesying Peace on a Two-wheeler

by Inam Ahmed
Six hundred litres of petrol, a Vespa scooter and a lot of courage and endurance— that's what took Giorgio BcttinelH to travel from Italy to Bangladesh in exactly four and a half months
"During the journey. I had to sleep in a Bcluch rebel camp in Pakistan, had to cross a desert In Iran and had to live only on biscuits for seven days in Calcutta.' Bettinclli said, " but all these were added to my treasure of experience and lightened up my good humour."
Giorgio Bettincllt (37). an Italian writer now settled tn Indonesia will not slop here, he will go on to the Ho Chi Mingh covering a total of 12 countries. He will cruise all the way to Vietnam on his liny 125 c white Vespa
ace mission,' Belt inclli said. "1 am carrying the message of unity and ng all creeds and cultures."
When I thou ghl of a pcpcc mission. Vietnam popped Into my mind, because as a youth Ihe reports on the war in Vietnam often ravaged my conscience," Batllnelli said When one looks at the 37 year old writer, it is hard to believe that he travelled 18050 kilometers. reaching Dhaka on December 15th. For a man with a height -of 5 feet 11 inches, Battlnellt Is ralher lean. The complexion was once fair, but now it has turned bronze. On lop of Ihe long wolfish face Is a heap of backbrushcd golden hair. "I cho-
se a Vespa for my tour because I myself am a light weight man", grinned Beltincllt. The choice must be a vita) one, as it is not recommended to go on such long lours with bikes under the capacity of 350 cc. “My decision paid off, "said the Italian, "Believe it or not. the scooter did not give one the slightest of troubles during the trip. I did not have to lighten a single bolt nor even had to change the sparkplug that I plugged in at Rome at the start of the journey Before the journey. J studied the wealncr of thtf' countries I travelled.' Bctuncili said, and I scheduled the trip accordingly so that 1 do not have to face bad weather. Till now It worked out and I did not have lo face even a slight drizzle." Bettinclli slightly customised his scooter and added two carriers, one tn the front and another in the rear lo carry his 20 kilograms of luggage. Other than clothes, he is carrying a Walkman, road maps, tools and a chess computer which he plays while camping. “I bought another bag
to carry books bought from India. But the scooter became unbalanced and I abandoned it." he said. In the beginning I knew nothing about the engine of thh scooter. But now. after al) these miles behind me. I know every groan the engine makes, Il has become an extension of myself." Bettinclli said.
The most hazardous journey for him, BcttinelH recalls, was a 200 km stretch path on the Iran-Pakistan border. "Il was not a road, but only rocks. I had to keep the speed of the scooter down lo only 10 km per hour and It look me two days to cross the 200 km."
On this part of the journey. BcttinelH had lo spend a night at a Baluch rebel camp. The rebels first brandished their Kalashnikov automa-
tlcs at me, but later became friendly and offered me to share their camp. With weapons stre-wn all around, I slept the night peacefully."
"In Iran when I crossed the Kerman desert, about 300 km. I did not have any problem at all. The road was good. All I needed was an extra can of petrol and extra water”, he said. "I did nol meet any accidents except the one in India. Then again, India Is the most dan gerous place for vehicles.
'It happened In Rajasthan. I did not notice the speed-breaker and 1 tumbled over, breaking the rearview mirror and the tip of the brakelcvcr. "In India, I also had the experience of near starvation. I was slaying tn the Muslim area in Calcutta and curfew was cla-
mped down Jor seven days following the demolition of Babri Mosque. I had no food and stayed alive by eating biscuits." Which are the countries that he traversed during his tour? Italy. Greece, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh and Afghanistan also," Bettinclli grinned, though the visit was Illegal. I just smuggled myself over to Afghanistan without any visa.'Is not he feeling fatigued mentally and physically? "Oh no, absolutely not," the ever energetic Italian said. T am only missing my girlfriend back in Indonesia. When I finish this trip. I hope to make another one also on a scooter from Alaska to Chili."
BcttinelH is taking some extra time visiting the places of archaeological interest as he plans his next book on this subject. "In Bangladesh, Sonargaon seemed very interesting for me. 1 can not say which Is the most beautiful country that J travelled, but I can say for sure that the Bangladeshi people are among the friendliest in the world."