Announcing our North American Tour! – North America, Earth

Yes, folks, you read it correctly – we (Edna Lu the tea bus and myself) are starting our BIG journey. Five years ago when I purchased Edna, I knew I had to finish building her and take off on a long journey. It has taken five years of hard work (and lots of free tea), and now I am giving us AT LEAST two years to travel North America.

The BIG plan: NO PLANS! That’s right, folks, no plans. Part of the beauty of the tea bus is spontaneity. You, a random person, find the tea bus randomly on a street corner, at an event, or in a park. And we find ourselves there because we got an itch to be there. We tried to make plans at least for the beginning of our trip, but they just didn’t seem to want to exist! We’re traveling the continent in search of exciting adventures and experiments in service.

On March 20th, 2013 we will be starting from my hometown of Friday Harbor, WA. This just so happens to be the first day of Spring and the 5 year anniversary of the day Edna and first became acquainted in San Diego.

But where will you go? one might ask! A rough plan on hitting both coasts, the mid-west, the deep south, Canada, and Mexico is on the table. But we’re keeping it rough and vague in order to go where the wind takes us. As Steinbeck said:

“We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us. Tour masters, schedules, reservations, brass-bound and inevitable, dash themselves to wreckage on the personality of the trip.”

But whom will you see? As many folks as possible. We want to meet the real America – the people on the streets of Anytown, USA, the people in the parks, at the festivals, on the ocean, in the mountains – anyone and EVERYONE!

But what will you do? Our main focus is to be of service. This means helping people in need, building, creating, fixing… but mostly serving free tea! This stems from the ever-present idea that we want to be community builders and share a good conversation with all we meet.

But why will you do this? Many reasons! Adventure, pilgrimage, inspiration! This has been a dream of mine – a grand adventure of such – for more years than I can count. This journey is a questioning and search for the meaning of freedom across this great land.

But how will you do this? Aboard the greatest tea bus in all existence: Edna Lu! And with the love and support of those we know and meet along the way.

Join us for our going-away Free TeaPotLuck on March 20^th, 2013 at Brickworks in Friday Harbor, WA from 1pm until 6pm. Farewell toast will be at 5pm. Bring tea, finger foods, honey, milk substitutes, and tea accoutrements (mugs, teapots, strainers) to share for the potluck or to donate to the tea bus.

Ways for you to participate:

–       Come to our going away Free TeaPotLuck on March 20^th in Friday Harbor, WA.

–       Serve free tea to strangers in your town.

–       Write us an email letting us know the places that need the tea bus.

–       Write us a love letter!

–       Visit our Support Page and contribute something.

So, now you know, folks! We hope too see you down the road for some tea! Thanks for the support, y’all!