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In Search of a Life
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: L.A.
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Planning to drive from LA to Patagonia next year (looking for copilots)
Update! Link to my book on Amazon (also available on bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble online, Apple Books, etc): https://www.amazon.com/Land-Without-.../dp/1959099728
The book is a Bill Bryson-style travel memoir of me getting into stupid and sometimes dangerous situations driving from Los Angeles to Panama, including getting stuck on the wrong side of Nicaragua during the uprising of 2018. It also contains a ton of historical information on ancient Mesoamerica and some of the modern politics of Central America—basically, anything that piqued my interest in the year+ I spent researching. Also, I eat a lot of delicious food. Anyone curious about this part of the world should get a lot out of the book as part of a hopefully funny, entertaining read. I hope you enjoy! ![]() Link to blog!!! - http://ushuaiaorbust.com/blog/ I better post this before I get banned for welching on my bet and posting in DC. If I'm banned and anyone wants to go for any part of the trip - PM flopnuts or BRC - they know me on twoplustwo.com and can contact me. More eyes and ears are always welcome. I've got one guy who wants to go - but he'd have to quit his job, so obviously nothing is guaranteed. I just got back from a photo trip in Patagonia, where we drove a lot. I LOVE the region and South America in general. Never been to Central America but I've had some great trips in Mexico. I have two jobs and I'm sick of both. I don't think the side job will last much longer, and the day job is about done for me. I probably need to stick it out until the end of year to get my bonus and pay off some 401(k) loans. But unless I get plugged into some interesting projects - I'm gone. I figure there has to be some advantage to dying alone with no kids. This would be the adventure of my life. I'd try to live-blog it as much as possible. Our photo tour guide from the Patagonia trip is planning a 20-day partial boat tour next May that he's calling "an expedition". We'll get into some fjords in Southern Chile that hardly any one's ever been to - much less landscape photographers. So that's my parameter - be in Patagonia by mid-May. I've done some cursory research, and it seems pretty doable. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/35876322/n...nyc-argentina/ http://www.worldlyrambles.com/summar...o-or-not-to-do You have to ship your car across the Darien Gap - which is a PITA. Very rough plan is to drive to Cabo, then take the ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan. Then head South. I'd probably zip across El Salvador and Honduras as fast as possible, enjoy myself in Costa Rica and maybe Nicaragua. I've been to Peru, Columbia, Chile and Argentina and know they're pretty safe. I feel like I'd want to avoid driving in Brazil, Venezuela (govt might seize my car) or the Guyanas. Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia should be fine. I know not to drive at night in sketchy places and find secure parking for my car. I plan to mostly camp and stay in hostels. I can sleep in my car in a pinch. Maybe splurge on a hotel when I want some extra security for my car. On the way back I may either sell my car or ship to LA or Florida from Colombia. Prerequisites:
Big question is whether or not to take my FJ Cruiser or buy an Outback or something for $5k: Pros:
Cons:
Any thoughts or advice is mucho appreciated. I am fine with the idea that I could have everything stolen and have to limp back with my tail between my legs. You don't have an adventure w/o risking something. If I get killed I had a good life. My biggest fears are getting kidnapped or paralyzed in a car wreck. Both seem fairly low probability. Last edited by suzzer99; 07-31-2024 at 10:46 PM.. |
Posts: 27,443
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#256 |
pie is never free
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: the drivers seat
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I know you think I hate ya, but I enjoyed this thread and congrats on the book... hope you make some bank on it
Just might pull the trigger next time I'm near a Barnes & Noble |
Posts: 93,548
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#257 |
MVP
Join Date: Jan 2015
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Awesome!!! Congrats!!!
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Posts: 6,464
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#258 |
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Los Angeles
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Snagged it. It is now 4th in line in my Kindle queue. Looking forward to it.
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Posts: 1,237
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#259 | |
(Sir/Yes Sir/Aye Aye Sir)
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Diving
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Quote:
I loved the photography on your Bio page, great stuff... Much deserved Rep... |
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Posts: 118,129
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#260 |
George Brett shit his pants
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: At the Bellagio
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Orwell, Shakespeare, Hemingway, Suzzer
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Posts: 47,976
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#261 | |
Consuming CP souls
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: U.S.A.
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Quote:
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Posts: 70,222
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#262 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: L.A.
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No puedo besar y decir.
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Posts: 27,443
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#263 |
Stay down bitch!
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Plano, TX
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Any big trips on the horizon? I miss my time living abroad. I’m working on doing the whole digital nomad thing.
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Posts: 9,288
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#264 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: L.A.
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Yeah I need to go back and finish South America. My blog is named Ushuaia Or Bust, which means I've been in bust mode for six years. I've got another short trip in a month, then it's decision time.
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Posts: 27,443
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#265 |
New and Improved
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Springfield, Mo.
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I'd suggest you put a link and short explanation for your book in the OP.
You never know when someone will be checking out old threads. |
Posts: 21,708
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#266 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: L.A.
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Done! Great idea.
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Posts: 27,443
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#267 |
Mindful Taoist German
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Should have gone with Passport to Patagonia. The searches of google alone would have thrown you a ton of traffic.
I'm guessing this isn't Jack Kerouac meets Bukowski?... |
Posts: 74,813
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#268 |
(Sir/Yes Sir/Aye Aye Sir)
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Diving
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Woot, I got my copy...
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Posts: 118,129
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