Journey to the west
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E-mail China Daily, September 21, 2018
While very surprised, Von Schedvin ultimately opened her heart to Mahanandia and followed him to his village in Orissa state.
"We were together for three weeks. We got married in a tribal way, so we had no papers."
But Von Schedvin had to return to Sweden, and over the following year, the distance and longing weighed upon Mahanandia.
"We wrote each other letters, and then I started thinking－where the sun is setting in the west, I could bicycle that way."
So he purchased a Raleigh bicycle, pulled together some travel necessities and sewed $80 into his belt. And in 1977, he began cycling to Sweden, following an ancient route known at the time as the Hippie Trail, crossing Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey on the way to Europe.
"I was never alone－I met wonderful people along the way. When my bicycle had some problems in the Afghan desert, a Belgian hippie started helping me. Truck drivers would give me a lift in Iran."
He painted portraits along the way, which helped him survive. "People gave me food very often in Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey－I had one piece of bread I could eat for three whole days. People in Europe often gave me money."
While often exhausted from the difficult journey, he gained encouragement through letters from Von Schedvin, sent to him poste restante at post offices along the route. Mahanandia finally reunited with her in in Sweden in 1977, where the two would ultimately raise two children together and enjoy fulfilling careers in teaching.
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