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Four weeks has HIV activist and world traveler Burkhard Hildebrandt with Bea, his yellow Fiat 500, been traveling through Germany as part of his lecture tour to create publicity for his own personal theme: How to handle the taboo topic of HIV in Europe and the rest of the world.

Meanwhile Burkhard is back in Hameln, has completed the final interview performances at the German television station NDR, and enjoys it to be home again. Despite the hustle and bustle on the 2,560 kilometers of West German asphalt, he did not forget to report about his adventures and challenges for the Axel Gerstl newsletter.

Burkhard was very happy about Beas performance during the whole 28 days. Overall, the fuel consumption came in at just under 7 liters. Just some difficulties with the ruts on some roads, they were often too wide for the narrow wheelbase of the Fiat 500.

The other people on the road reacted very positive on the small Fivehundred: Often Beas motor hum was orchestrated by an enthusiastic horn concert and hazard warning lights light-show up on arrival. When Burkhard once drove along a Dutch caravan column, people were sitting on their windows, taking photos and marvel at the rare sight.

Only on the streets of Berlin Burkhard was frightened with a "strange feeling when a large truck with a huge grille almost parked on the back seat."

Overall, however, Burkhard is very satisfied with the results of his tour. He was well received everywhere and the reactions to his lectures have been very positive. Burkhard stressed that he was very pleased to seek the dialogue and ask his listeners what their dreams are, and why they do not realize it.
Other times, he had to answer awkward questions. For example, on those if he was afraid of his travels in Africa, such as the planned tour from Cape Town to Hameln. But Burkhard cleared up quickly. The fear is certainly justified, but he had a much greater fear that he is "old someday", asking himself: "Why didn’t I live my dream?"

Besides many interesting impressions during the four weeks of his tour in Germany, Burkhard also gained numerous donations for his "Journey of Hope", even if the money is still not sufficient for the next planned projects. So Burkhard is still searching for sponsors.

So if you are interested in supporting Burkhard in his projects, please visit his site or send an e-mail. He will be happy to provide you any further information.

The report of NDR about Burkhard and the "Journey of Hope" you can find here. (Sorry, only available in German language!)

www.reise-der-hoffnung.info

Between his events during the Germany Tour 2014, Burkhard Hildebrandt and Bea, his little yellow Fiat 500, took the opportunity to visit the company Axel Gerstl in Biburg near Munich. As Burkhard parts-sponsor, we were of course glad to see Bea in such a good shape.

The day before, Burkhard had given a lecture at the Karlheinz Böhm Foundation in Munich, which has made particular deserves to development aid in Ethiopia over the last 30 years. So, among other things, the construction of irrigation facilities, dormitories, schools, hospitals, roads and bridges were supported and a literacy program was operated. Burkhard was invited to visit their projects in Africa, what he of course happily accepted.

And the team of the company Axel Gerstl hopes to welcome Burkhard more often in southern Bavaria. The fact that we always have a warm place free for him and Bea is of course out of the question!

We are in the final stage of the battle for the Axel Gerstl Award 2014. Yet there is still some time until May 31st, when the checkered flag falls. Until then, however, you can still participate in our contest and win the voucher over EUR 1.000, - !

Click here to see the first reports! Be inspired by them for writing your own restoration report, or just admire the excellent restoration work of our participants!

Send the restoration story of your car, nicely documented by some detailed photos to restauration@fiat500126.com.***

A competent jury will judge who did the most difficult, the most perfect or the most complex job to bring his Fiat 500, Fiat 126 or Fiat 600 back on the street.

The winner receives a voucher worth 1000 Euros for shopping at Fiat500126.com to keep his car in perfect condition over the next years!

More information on this contest and the conditions of participation can be found here.

***Valid languages are English, French, Italian and German. It has to be pdf format and should not exceed 6 pages and/or 25 pictures.