Touring the World on a Bicycle [Archives:1999/33/Last Page]

Mohammed Karma is a 41-year traveler from Morocco who aims at touring the Arab World, Europe and the Americas. On the occasion of his arrival in Yemen, Yasser M. Ahmad of Yemen Times met him and had the following chat: 
Q: How many trips have you made on your bicycle? 
A: Only two. The first one was on September, 15th 1988 and it lasted for 4 months. It was from Al-Hassan Mosque in Casablanca to Saudi Arabia passing through Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait. The second one started on March 29th, 1999 and I expect to reach my final destination in 2002. I began from Algeria and then Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan and now I am in Yemen. After I leave Yemen I will go through Oman, The Gulf Countries , Europe and the Americas. The number of the countries which will be visited in this trip is 56 countries. I am working on ending this trip in 2002. 
Q: How long do you stay in each country? 
A: It depends on many things like the weather and the country features. 
Q: What are the difficulties and problems you face in your trips? 
A: Sometimes I have difficulties in entering some countries due to their complicated routine. 
Q: Why have you chosen the bicycle for your trips? 
A: I liked riding bicycles since I was a child. I have also participated in many races. Traveling by bicycle is a challenge. It requires a great physical ability and patience to reach one’s goal. 
Q: What do you get from traveling? 
A: In my traveling I know a lot about the other nations and their cultures. Cycling is also a fine sport. Besides, traveling through Arab countries gives me the feeling of Arab unity. 
Q: How were you received in Yemen? 
A: In fact, it was the wormiest I have ever had. I feel that I am in my own country. I can go wherever and whenever I like. I participated in the President’s Cup Marathon and I was honored in a celebration in the presence of the Vice President. I have also received many invitations from many governorates other than Sanaa. 

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