Jan 14

Written by: reh
1/14/2004

January 14, Wednesday, 6:00 AM Finished driving the final 165 miles by 10:00. I stored trailer and car at a guarded lot (actually the Greyhound Bus station parking lot). Unloaded the bike from the trailer. Got a room at the Holiday Inn Express. Picked up my Mexican Auto Insurance. Spent the afternoon relaxing (and resisting the temptation to head south).

The intent is to ride from Brownsville Texas south to Tampico, Mexico, west across the Sierra Madri Mountains through Puebla then southwest to Oaxaca. Rest at Oaxaca while the bike is given the once-over at the Guzzi dealer (the last one I know of going south). Then ride to where I will catch Central America Highway #1 (CA-1). I will follow CA-1 through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and finish up in San Jose, Costa Rica where I will meet some friends who are Costa Rican nationals and my daughter who will fly down. I will ship the bike and fly back.

I set up the Guzzi for this trip. The ’97 Guzzi already has 62,200+ miles but the engine, transmission and final drive show no signs of wear. Fuel lines, brake cable, oils, etc. were changed and adjusted. Extra fuses, lights, tire tubes, fuel line, other parts, and tools have been collected. The bike is as ready as can be. There is a Guzzi dealer in Oaxaca, which is a little less than halfway.

Over the last 6 months, I have learned sufficient Spanish to ask questions and understand instructions. I can speak Spanish well enough to take care of traveling situations.

I have a GPS system mounted on the bike plus current street maps of the route. Elise set up our cell phones to work in Mexico.

I am purposely taking the trip during the dry season to minimize road delays.

Most of us have learned that one is aware of an awkward, stressful, even dangerous situation by observing the demeanor, facial expressions, and tone of voice of others. The actual words are peripheral. I will rely on my awareness and sensibilities to judge the social climate around me, just as we all do to live from day to day as social beings. Traveling with the wrong person is far worse than relying on one’s own sensibilities.

That’s the plan. Not much else to do but make the run and see what happens. Incidentally, Kerouac did go into Mexico, on his second trip, I believe.

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