adventuretrio
What were your greatest fears as you embarked on this journey? Did they materialize?
There’s always the fear of the unknown and, all too often, the fear- driven media. Too many friends and family members were so concerned for our safety as we entered Mexico. “Aren’t you going to carry a gun?” asked one of our close friends. We just chuckled and held close all the advice our international travel com- munity kept giving us: “Don’t listen to the media. There is more good than bad in the world.” Many people also feared for Jack’s safety because he was a teen. The funny thing is that none of our fears, real or imagined, ever came into fruition. It was up to us as foreigners to make the first move—helmets flipped up, smiles on faces, outstretched hands ready to welcome all who approached the bikes. With each country, our smiles and handshakes were always returned and always with the same questions: “Why did you travel to my country? Are you enjoying my coun- try? Is there anything I can do for you?” Every. Single. Time.
Camping on Lake Atitlan.
Your son, Jack. Tell us the impact you believe this adventure had on him.
As I have mentioned, many friends and family members were worried that we were taking a minor out of the country, and on motorcycles no less. Please know that any decisions we make are made as a family. If one member is hesitant, we take that into consideration and plan accordingly. It was very important that Jack was on board with this from the start. While some worried about his education on the road (“He will miss so much, not being in a classroom!”), we knew that he wasn’t going to have any problems. Fortunately, Jack is fluent in
Sandy and Jack with Peruvian kids in the Andes.
Spanish, thanks to a Spanish-immersion elementary school in our former town. This absolutely made our time much easier with regards to translating and relations. What Jack experienced and learned as a pillion exceeded any classroom experience. He released baby turtles into the Pacific in El Salvador, lived with a Mayan family in Gua- temala, learned how to budget and negoti- ate prices for hostels. His education from his time on the road exceeded anything we could’ve ever imagined. Seriously, how many 14-year-olds are able to say they nego- tiated borders in South America or learned to ride a 1200 GS Adventure in Argentina? As our time in South America started to come to a close, there was one moment that told Terry and me that we had made the right decision. Jack and Terry were walking back to our camp in Peru after purchasing bottled water in the little town nearby. Jack turned to Terry and said, “Daddy, I bet none of the kids back home would under- stand what it’s like to have to walk a mile into town to get fresh water.” You know what, Jack? I bet you were right.
What were the most difficult obstacles you encountered and had to overcome?
I think that it was our own personal obsta- cles that were the hardest to overcome. Here we had made this HUGE life change right before we left, not really adjusting to a slower pace until we actually hit the road. Terry and I learned to slow down, take it all
58 BMW OWNERS NEWS June 2016
discovery
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