Diary of a Roughneck Traveler

Mexico and Central America I began to plan my adventure vacation almost a year ago. I thought of India, Southeast Asia, and Central America. I have always had interest in those geographic areas. It seemed that it was only logical that the closest to me would probably be the most economical and easiest to plan. So this is how the concept was hatched. My “adventure journey” of zigzagging through Mexico and then traveling through Central America has now been taking place for the past several months and tomorrow is D (Departure) day. The Hemingwayesque travel concept was developed through the past year as I neared the golden age of sixty-five. I wanted an adventure I would really enjoy, perhaps not as thrilling as the Michael Douglas film The Game but stimulating nonetheless. While developing the concept, some have said, “Oh Yeah, kind of like Anthony Bourdain.” My travel adventure may touch on some of the same places that Anthony and crew have visited, but through this story you will see and understand the day-to-day frustrations per this type of travel. Through thoughtful and researched planning, I developed a trip that is essentially open ended. My reasonable estimate is the trip will last approximately six to eight weeks. I will be leaving on February 27 with a one-way ticket to Guadalajara, Mexico. I will take as much time as needed to accomplish the objective. The objective is to demonstrate that almost anyone with decent health and a small amount of money can have a fantastic adventure vacation. The only requirements are time and a sense of adventure. While reading this story, I hope you will constantly recall that “time and spirit can be your currency to the world of adventure”! YOU are the only one that holds yourself back! This trip has been planned around extremely light baggage, economy-style lodgings, and utilization of public transportation. It has been years since I travelled in a very light manner. In fact, in most cases when I have traveled in recent memory, I have taken way too much. After college, I backpacked for two years through Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, but it has been years since I attempted any travel like that. When I did travel in those years, I was young and very fit. Although still fit, I wonder if I will be willing to put up with the inconveniences, hardship, and frustrations for the manner of travel I have chosen. As my departure day approaches, I feel confident. I have planned this trip in stages that will give me the most runway for takeoff and transformation into a “roughneck adventure traveler.” Stage 1: Language/culture preparation in a helpful safe environment Stage 2: Independent acclimation Stage 3: Independent learning and educated risk It is comforting to know (and for my family to know) that, through the past several months, I have attempted to make all reasonable and appropriate preparations. First and foremost, I have secured my spouse’s blessing! In order to condition myself, I have hiked long trails around Santa Clara County, and my biking regimen has made me a very fit sixty-five-year-old. I feel in excellent health and am quite excited as my departure day nears. My banking and credit card accounts have been notified, and my passport is in proper order. I have $300 in denominations of tens and twenties; half of which I will have on me, and $150 that will be hidden in my larger pack. Twentyand ten-dollar denominations have been chosen as they are easiest to convert to any local currency versus larger bills. I have also made a small laminated copy of my passport that I will keep with my hidden pack money in the event of robbery. One credit card will also be amongst the hidden items in order to split the cards in two different places. If I am unfortunate and robbed, at least the money, passport copy, and one credit card are in two different places. I have also jotted (scrambled manner) in my notebook passwords, user names and pin numbers to my credit cards and ATM card in the event that I need to access them from a computer. As a secondary precaution, I have also jotted down eight hundred numbers in the event that I would need to contact the credit card companies or my bank via a phone line. I have also researched airports of the various countries I will be traveling through to determine international flight availability as I have no set plan for a return flight home. Finally, I have left all this vital information at home with my spouse should she need to contact the banks on my behalf.