Taking on Europe.

Trip to nowhere..

Barcelona, Spain

 

In the past months I’ve met a bunch of cool fun awesome strangers. We either have shared a drink, coffee, breakfast, dinner, or just a simple chat in a lonely rooftop. Of course, this always leads to an interrogation session by both sides.

As soon as they find out i’m happily cycling wherever I want they always ask me: Where do you shower and how can you afford travelling?

Therefore, I decided to make this blog post. By the way, very simple question to answer. I shower anywhere there is water and I work anywhere I can or when I feel like it. Water as money is about anywhere in the world, so it’s very practical to get wet or get rich. 

It’s like I’m a human being not a freakin atm machine poppin bills or something out of this world.

(About to take a shower somewhere in Queretaro,Mexico)

Anyways, mean while cycling across Mexico, Europe came into my mind. The upcoming world cup was the perfect excuse to jump over the Atlantic ocean and tear down the roads of the old continent.

In Cuba I had to flip a coin. Find a job in the States, Mexico, or continue cycling down Central America in my journey to reach Argentina one day. 

Coin turn to Alaska. 

Interesting, I always said I wanted to go to Alaska and reminded to my friends that if they faced any problems in their lifes I’ll help them no matter where they where! I’ll be there, it didn’t matter if they were in Alaska or god damn North Pole…I’ll be there. Loyalty, after all….shit, I was lying and ended up sinking in my own joke!

Well, to date I don’t know where I was, I just know I was damn far from civilization. 

 

After having a blast around Mexico and Cuba I ended up in a seasonal job in the sea industry that appear like an eternal prison but I took it in the most positive way possible.

I was in Alaska, the last frontier..

I’m not going to lie, during this short phase of my life I learned how to fucken earn every single penny in a dollar. I remember desesperately telling my fellow co workers that I was done with this bs. Well, I told them every single day, hour, minute and second until I switched my mind into playing rather than working.

so here is/was my/the trick,

Rather than working hard because job was tough..I took it as a training camp. I had to prepare mentally and physical for touring Europe. I knew that after Alaska everything was going to be a piece of cake. I felt very confident about this so I had to maximize and work on myself.

 

I was exercising in and outdoors with unbelieveable weather conditions. For example, rain and snow smashing in my face not to exclude running with cold wet shoes for long periods of time. I also read motivational books that brain washed me but I was cool with it. I read the 7 something of successful people, engaging book by the way. An another one that I forgot the name of it but it recall that everything in life starts with 1 and the accumulation of it. For example, if you want to start cycling…start with 10 minutes, then add 5 minutes more and in a couple of months you’ll be writing a blog post on how you reached Guatemala in a bike. Ok, that was an example but is a fact if you want to save $100 you first need to save $1. If you want to get fat you first need to eat a burger, then add fries, then a soda as same as in love if you want to get marry or something I guess you need to accumulate details, points, trust, and all those lovely stuff to convince your partner. Maybe, not the best examples but you get the point right? right..so start adding up!

Anyway, another activity that kept me busy was practicing and learning a new language, french in this case. Eventhough, I just learned how to order a coffee and ask if you wanted to go to the beach with me. Last but not least the main reason I was in Alaska, exchanging my freedom for money. Yeah, I just wanted to accumulate money to buy a bicycle and get my ass to the upcoming world cup in Russia. 

No matter what, since day 0 I was going to do everything possible to accomplish this goal. 

 

To date I remember two lines that I’ll never forget:

“Hustle while you wait” and “Hold on, at the end…it’s like you are living your dreams…you worked for them” first line is out of a book, second one from a friend after I told him that I was about to quit.

At the end, I never missed a working day and I can undoubtly say my friend Rodrigo and myself where the ones who put the most 0’s in our pay checks. Working our lungs off from 6am to 11:30pm a couple of times, a couple of days.

He wanted to build a house, I just wanted to cruise the mediterrenean sea, cheer Mexico in Russia 2018, and practice the two phrases I learned in Alaska somewhere in France. Of course, visit Madrid once again, take on Santiago de Compostela and watch my favorite bands. 

I don’t know if I will be able to accomplish all my vague dreams but true thing is I’m typing this in an airplane heading towards Madrid, Spain after cycling from Barcelona all the way to Croatia. I didn’t reach Russia but did celebrated that one goal we scored against Germany in seat C8 row 10.

 

(This post was merely to proof that everything is possible if you are willing to make it possible. Also, to remind ourselves that we create our happiness or fate, I chose creativeness in Alaska)

 

Cheers to everyone who is reading this, keep following and chasing your dreams. Your going to struggle, maybe suffer, but remember to create your scenario…learn, grow from it and have fun…you can do it!

 

Keep rollin, c ya!

Unexpectedly, I landed in Cuba or “La Isla Eterna” how the locals referr to their magical land.

This tiny country (in size) but huge lively island has to be in your books. If it isn’t yet, don’t wait to write it on!

Before heading to Cuba I didn’t knew anything but Fidel Castro and the colors of their cool flag. Still, I don’t know much other than the food is great, people are full of joy, and that I wouldn’t mind living for a while in la vieja havana.

but…here are some suggestions just to make your life easier before hitting this place!

To all my mates from Mexico and also foreigners. If you flying from our country make sure to fly either from CDMX or Cancun.

You can catch super cheap flights from those two places flying with Interjet airline. You’ll get a free mojito in your way, to spice things up!

If you are an American citizen, please…please bring cash with you!
Unfortunately, all that political bs between US and Cuba is really strong to the point they don’t accept cards from any American institutions. All Americans webpages are also bloked. For example, Western Union and Paypal . Therefore, your chances to get money from the states is really hard and will ruined your salsa
moves.

So yeah, just bring cash with you!
It will save you a lot of headaches.

Plus, they don’t accept credit cards anywhere. Though, there are several ATMs around to withdraw money..

but c’mon avoid those fees.

Next, take your suit and fancy jewerly off. Make yourself a local.

Get on taxis.
Talk and laugh with everyone in the streets.
Eat where locals eat.
Dance even if you don’t know how to.

Basically, avoid touristic spots cus you’ll missed the magic about Cuba.

Before going to Cuba, I’ve heard a lot how expensive it was. Yes, it’s expensive relatively anywhere in the world…it all depends how you want to live it..

For example, if you want to stay in a resort or hotel of course it’s going to be damn expensive but there other options like:

Casa Particulares, these are like the Cuban’s hostel version but they’re just like 10 times better.

It’s like a small private studio/flat.
-private bathroom
-private a/c
-private beds
-no wifi ( best part of it)

you know, just your own space ohh and luckily you get a terrace to enjoy the views.

Casa Particulares run about 17 dollars per night which is a deal if you are travelling with a team. Then, you can split the price!
Awesome!

What I found incredible amazing from Cuba is that this guys don’t have wifi!! Oh god how amazing is that!

It was so lively to see people talking to each other at coffee shops. Kids playing ball at the alleys. People dancing around. Just people being people.

In the other hand, they say they feel trap because they can’t “escape” Cuba. I somehow feel sad for them but not as much as I feel for my own country or most developed countries in the world.

We are trapped with technology and instant solutions.

It was a long time I hadn’t seen a kid playing soccer in the streets or people enjoying and sucking life as much as this mates did.

Nowadays, we unfortunately attach to our smartphones. We don’t appreciate our surroundings, a long conversation, or a nice day outside. We rather lay in the sofa and see how much “likes” we have accumulated.

Cuban’s don’t give two fucks
about this. They, rather play loud reggeaton music, dance, and enjoy a good ice cream in the streets.

Try bocadito de helado, by the way.

To close, make sure to visit the revolutionary museum. Is really worth it and I don’t even like to go to museums but this one was really interesting.

Find a tabacco field and cruise around. Maybe smoke one or two “puros”

Also If you need any help, your best bet is to ask a taxi driver. This guys will find and help you with anything. For example: Casa Particulares, banks, local food, bars, places, about anything your mind comes up with.

Last but not least, dance and make a fool of yourself.

Cuba Libre!

 

 

 

11/23/17 Woked up in Tenosique, Tabasco, Mexico. 120 km away from another country, region, and a huge personal dream.

Eventhough, I knew I was so close I didn’t want to “celebrate” before head. It was going to be another day. A hard unexpected stage to be completed.

Therefore, I started the day with the same ritual. Hit a local coffee shop and catch a cup with random people.

Coffee was dark and strong. My excitement and happiness was all over me. Those seniors knew it and where interested in every single phrase I said.

After 2 cups, I had to let go the table of 6 persons that cheer me up and wish me the best of luck.

The 120km ride towards Guatemala was flat and easy. So easy, I was cycling 32km/hr. 12km faster than my average speed.

Heart was beating fast and my
mind was gone. I just wanted to cross the Guatemalan border and scream “Ahuevo!” or “fuck yea!”.

I was bumpin and riding to my favorite music. Every single song reminded me of something or someone along this journey.

On my way I randomly remembered and laughed of all the crazyness that happened on this 3454km trip to nowhere.

I couldn’t believe it, I was about to cross a country in a bicycle..

Tears of joy came down my eyes. Remembering all the goodbyes I had to say on the way, remembering all the people I met on the road, remembering all those wonderful souls that confirm me that we are a light strike in this world.

At one point, my legs were disconnected from my mind. 6 months and 3737km later were lucidly flashing back..

I would never forget that last flat straight. Probably 2km of bliss..

I stopped, took a deep breath,
scream the joy away, and started cycling again to Tame Impala – Expectation.

2km more and a dream was about to be accomplish. My sweat and tears reveal it. On the last meters a young kid wave at me and cheer me up. As if the universe hadn’t paid me off with all.

It’s going to be a huge note in my life, indeed.
That kid was a semblance of all the humans that were part of my dream, all the greatness, all the life, all the charity and humbleness that I’ve experienced through rain and shine.

My faithful partner, which share more that I asked for and totally changed my life for good was also breaking on tears and joy! I know it!Eventhough, she has two strong tires instead of a heart.

27377km and 2447 stories were gone and done.

We made it. We are on El Ceibo, Guatemala. In the Central America region.

I prove myself that luck doesn’t exist. That everything is possible if you are willing to go for it. I remembered that barriers do exist and not for stopping me but to see how I can over pass them. Life is a story, a book, a joke, a challenge…something to laugh about when you are bored at 86.

When I was a kid I wanted to be a soccer player, then a dentist, then an architect, then an adult to do whatever I want..

While I’m writing this I’m somewhere in Alaska flying across the bearing sea and if everything goes well at the time this blog gets posted I’ll be on top of the Atlantic Ocean.

Now that I’m an adult I just want to be a kid. Yup, riding a bike all day…anywhere.

See you in a bit Barcelona.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long time ago when I was in high school one history class teacher asked the whole room what they knew about the Mayas..

One class clown responded, “Mayas are cool”

Indeed, that kid was totally right. Look at the backyard they had..