A border crossing back through the Andes, a fat motorcycle bill, and a handful of goodbyes to my wonderful San Juan hosts and I was off into the late afternoon sun of northwest Argentina. Unable to secure a new rear tire, the balding rubber kept me honest and under 100kph. My hope was to pick […]
Leaving San Juan, Argentina in the early morning hours by bus, I had a relatively smooth 12 hour trip despite the 3 bus changes and another pain in the ass border crossing through the Andes. The anxiety was a little higher than it should have been as I was two days later than planned due […]
The 20 hour bus ride from Buenos Aires to San Juan wasn’t all that bad. Well at least not when compared to the recent horrors of betrayal by rancid beer corrupting my gut and leaving me sweating in the fetal position. With that literal shit show behind me, I silently applauded myself for upgrading my […]
The return home after months of motorcycle travel through South America was momentarily joyous but within days it became dour. The often experienced blues of a newly returned traveler hit hard and lingered for months. A loss of self, reduced sensory stimulus, and a redialing of perspective knocked me down from my world-traveling-I-can-conquer-all confidence. It […]
Although it felt strange to not be riding my motorcycle anymore, I was beyond content to enjoy the snowy views from the comfort of my bus seat. Crossing the border on my motorcycle through the 10,000ft mountain pass in winter would have been a harrowing enterprise. Doable but arguably quite foolish with the icy roads […]
The city of Mendoza was founded in 1561 by the Spanish conquistador, Pedro del Castillo. Prior to the Spanish invasion, the area was populated by two indigenous tribes – the Puelches and the Huarpes. The latter devised an irrigation system that the Spanish further developed and allowed for a bigger population than the arid climate […]
My introduction to San Juan was a bountiful feast of grilled meat, fresh bread, and delicious Malbec. My newly introduced host, Hector, graciously took me into his home and treated me like a king. It was a humbling honor and after being on the road for nearly six months, the homely feel and welcome was […]
Following the 4 hour nightmare border-crossing, Argentina was a welcomed change almost immediately. The roads were better, the gas stations didn’t deny foreigners, and the optimism of a new country lifted my spirits. New countries always bring about a general giddiness in me, but after the roller coast ride of Bolivia, the sweet offerings of […]
To The Border! Leaving Potosí, I enjoyed the fairly relaxing ride to Tupiza where I spent a night watching the World Cup that was taking place in Brazil. The reality of leaving Bolivia was starting to hit me. It had been a difficult place to travel through but the natural beauty was unending, diverse, and […]
La Paz I could go with never visiting La Paz again. Having said that, I’m glad I experienced it. One of the highest cities in the world, it seems to smother the steep bowl of mountains it sits in. Seemingly devoid of much long-term city planning, La Paz is a twisting maze of overcrowded streets […]