Turning a dream into a journey
- A Personal View
By Amanda Phillips, June 2000
Amanda
explains the idea behind Latin American Challenge and gives her view of some of
the planning behind the adventure...
"South America is a place I love, and I
think, if you take it right through from Darien to Fuego, it’s the
grandest, richest, most wonderful bit of earth upon this planet" -
Sir Arthur conan Doyle, The Lost World.
I’m doing more than that. I’m going to be exploring Latin America
from the north of Mexico, through Central America and into South America
to the tip of Tierra del Fuego, the last point before the South Pole.
For a period of 15 months my home will be a Land Rover 110, which will
be shared with three companions, Joanne, Mark and Michael.
Latin American Challenge, as the trip has now become known, is the
culmination of much dreaming. My passion for Latin America developed
from reading reports in National Geographic and various travel books and
watching the likes of Michael Palin. If these people could do it, then
why not me? For the past couple of years I have had the vague idea of
escaping the rat race and going travelling. I chose Latin America
because of the fascinating juxtoposition of elements: archeological
sites with new discoveries continuing to be made, colonial buildings
dating back to the time of the conquistadores, and a variety of
environments ranging from the tropical rainforest to the arctic
mountains of Tierra del Feugo. Latin America may conjure up thoughts of
gun-wielding drug barons and corruption, or the devastating effect on
climate, wildlife and communities caused by El Niño, but there is more
than that to be discovered. Michael then bought a Land Rover. Why not
travel through the sub-continent in our own transport? So the idea was
born. One night in the pub when talking about our plans with Jo and Mark
they decided to join us, and things fell into place from there.
"You must be mad". I have become accustomed to hearing
people say that when my travel plans come up in conversation. No doubt
this view is intensified when I explain that I will be driving through
Latin America for a year, for no concrete reason, and with no definite
route. Some people look vague and don’t say much, others express their
wish to do a similar thing if it wasn’t for work, the mortgage,
children...the list is endless. My parents are not at all content, in
their protective way, and would feel much happier if I was going to
Europe for a few months. I can understand their concerns: I have never
done anything like this before, I like my home comforts and don’t like
bugs. Therein lies the adventure! I don’t hold any illusions as to the
difficulties that might crop up. The expedition is going to be a test of
endurance, and friendship: we are prepared for the fact that four people
together twenty four hours a day in a Land Rover isn’t always going to
be a smooth ride. However, any doubts about my lack of experience (and
general sanity) that creep in are soon brushed aside after spending
another day fighting my way on to the commuter train with hoards of
workers pressed up against one another to spend hours concerned with
deadlines, emails and faxes. Instead I can face the prospect of seeing
the sun rise over a Maya temple. Perhaps it’s a case of temporarily
avoiding the inevitable, but I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts.
I wanted to have a purpose, and recognised the potential of using
this unique venture as a way of raising money for charity. The Latin
American Challenge team chose two charities, with the strict rule that
none of the money raised will go towards the expedition expenses. We are
raising awareness of Multiple
Sclerosis because it is the most common neurological disorder among
young adults, for which there is no cure. Rainforest
Concern was chosen because the team want to give something back to
Latin America. When we reach Ecuador we will spend time at the
Rainforest Concern funded project at Maquipucuna, which is helping to
ensure the survival of animal and plant species threatened by the
destruction of forest habitats.
Now that the momentum of fundraising is in full swing I realise what
a huge task we have taken on. Raising money for charity has entailed
enormous time, planning and organisation; more so than the planning of
the trip itself. Having a stand at the Independent
Traveller’s World (ITW) earlier this year not only helped us to
raise awareness of The Multiple Sclerosis Society and Rainforest
Concern, but also proved invaluable for gaining expert advice regarding
the countries we will be visiting. We are keen to promote our venture
and the involvement of the local infant and junior school has provided a
vehicle for raising the project’s profile as well as educating
children. I spent an immensely satisfying morning with the pupils,
giving a presentation about the rainforest. Their enthusiasm for
painting pictures of the rainforest was refreshing. Two pictures are to
be chosen as the Latin American Challenge expedition logo.
Whilst having our own transport gives independence, disadvantages
include extra concern about security. Apart from the obvious precautions
such as locks for the steering wheel and spare tyre we may have to adopt
less conventional anti-theft measures. These include drilling holes in
the bonnet and securing it with a lock to prevent the engine compartment
being ransacked. It is hoped that the dents and scratches already on our
vehicle can only help us to blend in (as much as gringos can) since a
shiny new vehicle will stand out. The threat of road accidents is
another concern since the quality of driving in Latin America leaves
much to be desired. For example I have read that on the road in Mexico
the first person to reach any given point has right of way, and a left
turn signal means that it is ok for the driver behind to pass on the
left. Possibly more worrying, if involved in an accident, blame is
automatically placed on the foreigner regardless of fault. Not being
aware of such things could be dangerous.
Acknowledging the difficulties that may lie ahead in Latin America,
we are making sure that safety is a priority. Before our departure we
spent a week with Life Support Training Services (LSTS) who generously
tailored a course encompassing expedition, survival, leadership and
remote area first response training. Although we are trying to plan as
much as possible there is a certain attraction in the unexpected. I am
not sure of the reception we can expect from some of the communities.
One account you hear contradicts another and the thought of experiencing
it for myself is daunting yet exciting. I have been learning Spanish so
I can communicate with the local communities but I am aware that in many
rural areas it will be useless since only indigenous languages are
spoken.
Really we’ve only just begun. The proper planning will start on the
road in Mexico as we consult the map, our Rough Guides and South
American Handbook and listen to local reports. We will journey south
into Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and
Panama. Since there is no road connection linking the Panamanian Isthmus
and South America we will have to find an alternative route into
Colombia. It is likely that we will ship the vehicle by container to
Colombia and fly to meet it. I am particularly anxious about this part
of the trip because reports suggest that anything not secured to the
vehicle and anything left inside whilst being shipped will be stolen. We
intend to take an anti-clockwise route through South America, along the
mountainous region of western Colombia to the capital of Ecuador, Quito.
From there we will continue along the Andes through Peru, Bolivia and
Chile. If we survive the harsh winds of Tierra del Fuego, we will drive
up the eastern side through Argentina, into Uruguay, Paraguay and
Brazil. We would like to take the ferry along the Amazon River from
Belem to Manaus, to join the Pan American Highway which will take us
into Venezuela. That’s the plan. Events along the way may mean that we
change our route. I’m looking forward to seeing what lies on the long
road ahead. Without the determination to succeed, it won’t be a
journey, only a dream. I hope this inspires others to do the same.
Thanks to Direct Connection who are
providing Internet connection, I will be writing reports from the road.
Watch this space.
Latin American Challenge is funded entirely by private means.
If you would like to support the challenge please print out a sponsor
form
Amanda Phillips
