Hungarian brothers pass through LC on 6-year quest (7/27)

Posted July 26, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Filed Under News | 1 Comment

By JOHN GUIDROZ
AMERICAN PRESS

Conflict was a constant reality for Ferenc and István Ivanics as they were growing up.

The two Hungarians lived in North Serbia, which, under the leadership of then-President Slobodan Milosevic, became involved in clashes involving several eastern European countries and, eventually, NATO.

For the last two years, Ferenc, 32, and István, 27, have walked more than 6,000 miles through three continents, all in the name of friendship.

“We call it sometimes micro-peace,” Ferenc told the American Press on Friday.

In all, Ferenc said, they plan to walk around the world — 25,000 miles — in six years.

The two have been walking across the southern U.S. since they flew from Africa to Miami two months ago.

Ferenc said the two live a vagabondish existence, choosing to sleep in tents and avoid restaurants along the way.

Ferenc said the two have enough supplies to last until Houston, their next major stop on the tour before Mexico. They can only be in the U.S. for 90 days.

“Every three or four months, we come to a critical point, and somebody helps us out,” he said.

Assistance comes from Serbian or Hungarian communities or in the form of donations to their Web site — www.worldwalk-peacetour.info.

The site also allows the Ivanics to document their travels over a few days.

Ferenc said their first encounter with Americans was “absolutely positive,” despite some warnings from other Europeans.

“Some would say (Americans) are too afraid (or) they won’t help,” he said. “After it all, (they were) totally positive people.”

That positivity came in handy on Thursday, Ferenc said, when the two were caught in the middle of a severe thunderstorm with dangerous lightning.

“We (ran) in a house in an open garage, and nobody was home,” he said. “The owner came, and he needed five to 10 minutes (to hear) about the Web site.”

István said their three-month walk through the Sahara Desert was filled mostly “wind and sand.”

He said going to the bathroom and sleeping were difficult there because most areas on either side of a roadway were filled with mine fields.

Ferenc said it was their first time in a largely Islamic area since the European conflict. He said the encounters with local Arabs were “friendly.”

Both brothers said they get along very well, and that serious conflicts between the two rarely occur.

István said their days last longer than for most working-class people because of their wide-open schedule.

“These two years, it’s for us like four years,” he said. “(It’s) very rich in details.”

Their tour continues into South America, followed by a flight to Australia and another flight to India. That segment will take them through Asia and western Europe.

Ferenc said they are both on their fourth pair of running shoes, with one pair lasting about 1,500 miles. Both said they are due for a fifth pair.

As for the Louisiana heat and humidity, Ferenc said they prefer it over the thunderstorms.

“It is hot, but (that) is better than the lightning,” he joked.

Upon their return to Hungary, the two plan on writing a book based on their journey.

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On the Net: www.worldwalk-peacetour.info

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Comments

One Response to “Hungarian brothers pass through LC on 6-year quest (7/27)”

Andras Miko on July 28th, 2009 12:27 pm

I’d like to call your attention to our blog too: http://worldwalk-peacetour.blogspot.com

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