Would You Could You In a Car?

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and they—

They took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference

Would you do what 2 crazy women who had never met before, are doing to keep 200 kids from Isha Vidhya schools in rural India, out of the child labor market and in schools – join the greatest motoring adventure on the planet, The Mongol Rally?

What I could and would do is live vicariously for 40 days, the fly on the wall of the blue Nissan Micra bought at a scrapyard, as they pass country after country, gathering stories and experiences. And when the story got exciting enough for my ‘wow’ moment, I’d hit the ‘donate’ button, to make my tiny contribution for kids & education.

Chandini Ammineni from the Bay Area, US talked to Anitha Reddy in Bengaluru, India for all of 10mins to explain her adventure-itch and Anitha had already hopped on the ride of a lifetime. What connected the 2 was the simple belief that the journey had to be as difficult and as important as the cause.

The Mongol Rally, thunders 10,000 miles across mountains, deserts, Steppes of Europe and Asia each summer. There’s no backup, no support and no set route. Just the 2 member team in a tiny used car (per rally rules) – 996cc, 58bhp, 100,000 miles Nissan Micra. With just 6”clearance from the ground this little wonder better be prepared to tread the Autobahn, the Steppes, 2 mountain ranges, part of the M41/Pamir Highway dirt road. Aptly named the Happy Harriet, this 3-some is already underway on their journey.

The first half of the journey from Goodwood, England through France, Belgium, Germany, Czech, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia to Azerbaijan seems like a piece of cake in comparison to what is to follow.

Friends and family are waiting with baited breath to hear about the adventure through Turkemenistan to Uzbekistan via the Gates of Hell. How and what transpires until they emerge out of the other end in Siberia after Russia and Mongolia is a story in the making. They would have to survive 20 days of adventure through populations as little as 10people/sq mile.

Once Anitha fulfilled a well-scripted life of the good daughter, daughter-in-law, wife, and mother formula, she got a head-to-toe-to-soul makeover. An avid barefoot runner and barefoot hiker (has evencovered Adi Kailash), her feet have not seen footwear in the past 20 months, scorching heat or snow. This fresh vegan convert continues to leave footprints across the globe, surprising herself with locals everywhere who go out of their way to understand and cater to her vegan charm.

Chandini, a technologist in the Bay Area has all it takes to keep the wheels moving, having worked years on diesel engines and heavy machinery. After a stint at her own technology startup, she currently works in Venture Capital advising startups on growth marketing. When not working, she volunteers for children-focused charities.

And what does it take for 2 people, not even family, to be stuck in a tiny car for 6-7 weeks, in very unfamiliar and difficult circumstances? A strong will, great patience and the yoga/meditation they are so passionate about.

As Happy Harriet journeys across the globe, hop in, enjoy the journey on Facebook at HappyHarrietStories and help the kids from with a chance to go to school instead of working in the fields and factories. And spread the message.

Please Donate in rupees at

HappyHarriet from India

or in dollars at

HappyHarriet from US

‘That will make all the difference’.