Part of our regular routine is to check the news for any political or security developments in the countries we will visit. So last week we were disappointed to find out that both Venezuela and Ecuador have moved troops to their respective borders with Columbia. If you are not familiar with the situation it goes something like this: last week Columbia decided to attack the FARC rebels inside of Ecuador and succeeded in killing a high ranking FARC official. This incursion into Ecuador by Columbia caused an uproar in both Venezuela and Ecuador. Within hours the saber rattling had begun and the last we heard was that tanks and troops were on their way to the borders. We will keep a close eye on the situation but unless an all out war breaks out we will stick to our plan of going to Columbia. All we need to do now is figure out how to cross the Darien Gap (there is no road). Option 1 is to put the bike in a crate and put it on a plane from Panama city to Columbia. Option 2 is to put it on one of the boats that go from Colon Panama, to Cartegena, Columbia. We’ll see…

Brian 

So we are now back in Central America. I guess we have a lot of catching up to do on our website but rather than one long rambling account of the last 2 weeks we’ll put everything in the form of a flight itinerary (we’ve seen a few of these lately!).
 

Passengers: Marie and Brian

18Feb08

From: Moncton, New-Brunswick

To: Montréal, Québec

Departs: Once you get the minivan loaded up with your sponsor’s gear

Arrives: The following morning

Carrier: A sweet minivan with enough buttons to keep you busy for the entire 12 hour ride

Special note: That white stuff you see on the road is just as dangerous as that nice red mud you get in Guatemala. Remember Guatemala? that nasty little road? the leg under the bike? That’s it, slow down big fella.

21Feb08

From: Your friend’s apartment in Montreal

To: The motorcycle show in Montreal

Departs: Every morning at 8:30 sharp (see special note)

Arrives: (see special note)

Carrier: The Montreal Subway system

Special note: This is called discipline. Some people also call it responsibility. It means that contrary to your new “lifestyle” of  carefree riding and such stuff you now need to get with the program. Besides, you aren’t in Central America anymore. This is Canada and here we do things differently (Oh, don’t give me that look. The minute you stepped off that plane I could tell you were craving some order in your life. Be careful what you wish for because you now belong to the “system”. Remember the system? That nine to five thing you did for the past seven years? No? Well just turn on the TV and it will all come back to you. What to buy, what to think, who to look up to, who to vote for. That’s it….Just stare at the moving images for a while… Yes.. Everything will be OK…..NOW GET TO WORK!)

22Feb08 to 24Feb08

From: One corner of your Sponsor’s booth

To: The other corner of your Sponsor’s booth

Departs: When you get tired of standing in the same spot

Arrives: Within seconds (it’s not a big booth)

Carrier: Your legs (see special note)

Special note: These would be the two things that dangle on either side of your motorcycle on this supposedly arduous world tour. No? Ok, I say Guatemala, you say??? Alright, think muddy road again… Yes… You have it now. Your legs are those things that tend to get in the way when you take a spill.

26Feb08

From: Montréal, Canada

To: New York, USA

Departs: 6:00am

Arrives: 7:30am

Carrier: Delta Airlines, flight #5381

Special note: Please arrive at the airport 2 hours prior to departure so that employment may be created for thousands of security personnel who will ensure that you do not try and blow up the plane with shampoo.

26Feb08

From: New York, USA

To: Guatemala city, Guatemala

Departs: 10:30am

Arrives: 2:15pm

Carrier: a brand new 737 (sweet!!! You get to choose your own movie!)

27Feb08

From: Guatemala City, Guatemala

To: Copan Ruinas, Honduras

Departs: 4:00am!!!!!!

Arrives: 10:00am

Carrier: A 1993 toyota minibus without a suspension (you get to choose where to throw up!)

Special note: For your added comfort we recommend that you keep your eyes closed at all times and please ignore religious symbols adorning the vehicle. You are in good hands.

28Feb08

From: Copan Ruinas, Honduras

To: San Salvador, El Salvador

Departs: You get to chose

Arrives: Depends on the border officials

Carrier: BMW 1100GS with an oil leak (see special note)

Special note: Before you arrive at your destination the leak will start gushing. Please ignore this as there is nothing you can do about it other than try to imagine being stranded one the side of the road in the middle of El Salvador.

01Mar08

From: San Salvador, El Salvador

To: Chinandega, Nicaragua

Departs: 1 hour later than when you should have left

Arrives: In the dark, not fun.

Carrier: BMW 1100GS (oil leak free!!!)

Special note: Complementary vehicle exhaust, sweat, potholes the size of an archeological dig, money changing scam artists, stamp crazy border officials and road obstacles will be served.

Have a pleasant journey and thank you for choosing a minivan, your legs, the subway, a couple of planes, a minibus and your beloved motorcycle as your means of transport.