Early on Tuesday morning 23 of us loaded up on the "truck" and set off on our 105 day adventure. The "Truck" is literally a Scania truck converted to accommodate 23 travellers. It is an ingenious creation! The lower level consists of storage bins into which provisions, cooking utensils and a gas cook stove are stored in pull out trays. There is a table bolted in between the cab and the truck; camp stools, a fire grate, tents, etc. are stored in other lockers. It is a self contained unit which will carry us around South America. The seats are arranged so that 15 people sit facing inwards - this allows for lots of leg room, the ability to see out on either side, and provides for a great conversation pit. Eight people can sit up at the front above the cab and face each other over a table. While travelling we take turns in the different positions in the Truck so we are never in one seat too long.
Our travel group is great; about 7 guys and the rest are women. There are people from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and southern africa - and of course ourselves from Canada. Ages are mixed, the youngeset being a young English lad of 18 (about to turn 19). Most are probably in the 25 - 40 range with two or three over that. My early opinions (lets see how this changes!) are that the major differences between the ages come down to breadth of life experience and what you have learned from that - and that fact that the older members of the group, although willing, can't party as long or as hard as the younger members!! Everyone is adventurous and wanting to experience the real South America with like minded people - I am amazed at the travel experience of the group - I don~t think there is any part of the globe let untouched! There is lots of opportunity for active participation in the trip including cooking, cleaning the truck, shopping in local supermarkets and markets, changing tyres, digging out of muddy traps, and to participate in the unexpected - yes we have already had to change a tyre on the road.
Our travel group is great; about 7 guys and the rest are women. There are people from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and southern africa - and of course ourselves from Canada. Ages are mixed, the youngeset being a young English lad of 18 (about to turn 19). Most are probably in the 25 - 40 range with two or three over that. My early opinions (lets see how this changes!) are that the major differences between the ages come down to breadth of life experience and what you have learned from that - and that fact that the older members of the group, although willing, can't party as long or as hard as the younger members!! Everyone is adventurous and wanting to experience the real South America with like minded people - I am amazed at the travel experience of the group - I don~t think there is any part of the globe let untouched! There is lots of opportunity for active participation in the trip including cooking, cleaning the truck, shopping in local supermarkets and markets, changing tyres, digging out of muddy traps, and to participate in the unexpected - yes we have already had to change a tyre on the road.
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