GCFC HANS - From Palmas to New Orleans (English)

[Renan Xavier]

Now, we gonna start reporting the news of GCFC Hans Karlsson and Diomar Naves through Hans eyes and words. So, here is a part.

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Here is a recap of the final part my trip:
From Belem to Manaus we traveled for five days upstream on the mighty Amazon River. From Manaus we rode north to the Brazillian border with Venezuela and from there north to Caracas and then west to Cartagena, Colombia. Failing to find transport from there to Panama we headed south to Bogota and caught a plane to Tocumen, Panama. From there it was a short hop (ride) to San Jose, Costa Rica, where we spent three days before heading for Nicaragua to the north. We spent the night of 5 September in the old city of Leon. We started out from there this morning, Tuesday 6 Sept, and wound up in San Miguel, San Salvador, this evening, after having gone clear through Honduras without stopping except for gas and some pictures. Tomorrow Guatemala which has the nastiest border crossings of all - in and out. Then comes Mexico, Lindo y Querido, followed by the big state of Texas, and then, what else, but Louisiana and the home base of Harahan. Regards, Hans

[Dolor]

Hi GCFC Hans, we are following you again because you are our inspiration!
Take care and we are counting down the days to meet you in Guanajuato.
Many people already did the subscription on the site...don't forget to do your!
Say hello to Diomar and have fun!
Love!
Angela and Dolor

[Dolor]

This may be a repeat:
In the year 1957 I drove a nice pick-up truck from New Orleans to San Jose, Costa Rica. In those long ago times the highway ended in the city of Arriaga, Mexico. No roads existed between Mexico and the country to the south, Guatemala so I put the pick-up on a flat-bed railroad car to get it to where the highway started in Guatemala. The Pan-American Highway now ends just south of Panama City at the Darien Gap that separates Panama and Colombia so transport has to be found to South American by those who come from the north and want to travel by road in their own vehicle on that continent. Why do I mention? Simply because I was reminded of it because we are now stranded in the same Arriaga that I knew so many years ago. The rear tire on Diomar's bike blew out some 45 km before we reached Arriaga so he had to sit by the highway for three hours until I returned with a truck to bring him and the bike into town. Today, 9 Sept -11, we spent the time trying unsuccessfully to find a usable replacement tire. Well, we located one in Mexico City but not in time to place an order today, Friday. There is no action Saturday or Sunday so the order will be placed Monday. We expect to be here in Arriaga as many as five days.... a regrettable delay on the final lap. Regards, Hans

[Renan Xavier]

Here is a pic of the adventure in Panama.

[Dolor]

Dearest Hans, the life is always a repetition!
Nice reminders!
The important is to be well with good health and more than that, we have to say thanks to the life in order to get the chance to do...this kind of review.
You are a lucky guy!
We hope everything is ok and the tire is already in the right place.
You could call Manuel!
We are together and waiting you in Guanajuato.
The GCFC Evangelista already confirmed his inscription to the VII Meeting, and he will be in New Orleans to go down
with you.
Hugs and good trip!
Dolor and Angela

[Dolor]

This I wrote but did not send on 12 Sept/11:
Last night, 12 Sept-11, we arrived in in the tongue-twister Cosamaloapan, a very small town 2 miles off toll road 180,
some 30 miles south of the port city of Vera Cruz, Mexico. It took 60 miles through light and then*heavy rain to get there.
It is now several days later, 17 Sept/11 and I am at home, 2011 Bike Trip completed. We, Diomar and I, arrived at the
Trolley Stop Cafe in New Orleans at 20:03 last Thursday, 15 Sept, three days short of six month, 27 days before my
86th birthday, and with*an odometer reading of 71,285 (- 42,149 at start). If my math is right this gives*a total mileage for
this trip of 30,136 (48,218 kilometers). Later I'll come up with a trip summary.
Best regards to all. Hans

[Dolor]

Dear Hans:
Very nice to hear from you, specially when you already are at home.
You have no idea how proud we are about you and the inspiration you are to everyone!
I really would like see myself in the mirror and find out a guy like you reflected on it.
Congrats and, please, don't stop!
We are counting down the days to meet you in Guanajuato. Ask Neida to fly to there!
Evangelista is confirmed to go to New Orleans and from there come down with you.
Angela and myself will fly to US on November, 2nd, and from there by motorcycle to our 7th Int Meeting of Fazedores de Chuva, around next 11th.
Please, say hello to Neida and a very tight hug to Diomar.
Ask him to sing Brazilian, better, Tocantins' song at Trolley Stop Cafe!
Love
Dolor and Angela