Daren
Swedish mathematician Birger Lövgren determines that intellectuals such as himself are at high risk of health issues, and getting out in the world would be a better use of his time. Travelling from New York to Tierra del Fuego on the partially constructed Pan-American Highway by motorcycle, alone seems like a viable option.
He is pretty funny, writes with a perceptive eye, and pushes his luck, usually with good results. This book was published in 1960 (in its original Swedish), so it is reasonable to assume the travel occurred in the few years prior, which sort of ties in with the events in the book. This was a hell of a journey.
The USA receives scant mention before tackling Mexico, where his writing hits its straps. Roads are still recognisable as roads and the motorcycle remains in one piece, but as the route rolls out - Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica there are real challenges and a lot of repair and improvisation. Mixed with motorcycle events are his time spend with the people, the vast majority of whom are helpful and friendly, assisting the author in his various times of need. True to the title he spends time writing about the Indians of each area passed through - the Maya, Aztec and Inca being the main ones, this in the form of light history.
Panama is a problem - the Darien Gap - not only are there no roads, and the motorcycle must be shipped to Colombia, but very few people have made it through the Darien before. Various large well organised expeditions have failed; far more people have gone missing, than have made it though. Hostile Indians, very tough terrain, no accurate maps other than for the coastlines, and lack of common language are all issues to face. Nobody recommends that he continues, but Lövgren is adamant his plan was to follow the land route, and won't ship around.
This is clearly the toughest of the challenges within his journey, and the writing is as up to the task as Lövgren himself, who is clearly very self-motovated. He negotiates with the Indians, receives assistance (reluctantly given, often) and suffers the same trials as those who guide and assist him - lack of food, exhausting efforts and tough travel.
Upon reaching Colombia, he finds that his motorcycle, which has been reasonably reliable until now struggles at altitude. After trials, efforts and struggles, he comes to the conclusion he simply cannot pass over the Andes with this motorbike, so the second half of his journey must be by bus.
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina - ending in the southernmost city in South America (and the world), Ushuaia. For completeness he crosses into Chile several times as the road is under repair, and the diversions often cross the border! These sections are far quicker, given the transport is bus rather than bike, and stops are infrequent.
Overall an enjoyable book, and an amusing and engaging author.
4 stars
Swedish mathematician Birger Lövgren determines that intellectuals such as himself are at high risk of health issues, and getting out in the world would be a better use of his time. Travelling from New York to Tierra del Fuego on the partially constructed Pan-American Highway by motorcycle, alone seems like a viable option.
He is pretty funny, writes with a perceptive eye, and pushes his luck, usually with good results. This book was published in 1960 (in its original Swedish), so it is reasonable to assume the travel occurred in the few years prior, which sort of ties in with the events in the book. This was a hell of a journey.
The USA receives scant mention before tackling Mexico, where his writing hits its straps. Roads are still recognisable as roads and the motorcycle remains in one piece, but as the route rolls out - Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica there are real challenges and a lot of repair and improvisation. Mixed with motorcycle events are his time spend with the people, the vast majority of whom are helpful and friendly, assisting the author in his various times of need. True to the title he spends time writing about the Indians of each area passed through - the Maya, Aztec and Inca being the main ones, this in the form of light history.
Panama is a problem - the Darien Gap - not only are there no roads, and the motorcycle must be shipped to Colombia, but very few people have made it through the Darien before. Various large well organised expeditions have failed; far more people have gone missing, than have made it though. Hostile Indians, very tough terrain, no accurate maps other than for the coastlines, and lack of common language are all issues to face. Nobody recommends that he continues, but Lövgren is adamant his plan was to follow the land route, and won't ship around.
This is clearly the toughest of the challenges within his journey, and the writing is as up to the task as Lövgren himself, who is clearly very self-motovated. He negotiates with the Indians, receives assistance (reluctantly given, often) and suffers the same trials as those who guide and assist him - lack of food, exhausting efforts and tough travel.
Upon reaching Colombia, he finds that his motorcycle, which has been reasonably reliable until now struggles at altitude. After trials, efforts and struggles, he comes to the conclusion he simply cannot pass over the Andes with this motorbike, so the second half of his journey must be by bus.
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina - ending in the southernmost city in South America (and the world), Ushuaia. For completeness he crosses into Chile several times as the road is under repair, and the diversions often cross the border! These sections are far quicker, given the transport is bus rather than bike, and stops are infrequent.
Overall an enjoyable book, and an amusing and engaging author.
4 stars