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A Septuagenarian Odyssey Simon Gandolfi has never been one to grow
old gracefully and following two heart attacks he decides not to
rest up, as many might, but to ride the length of Hispanic America
on a 125cc motorbike. And why not? His wife may have plenty of
reasons why not, but used to the intrepid septuagenarian's
determination to complete any plan he comes up with, she shrugs her
shoulders and waves him goodbye. At 73 years old, Simon Gandolfi
sets off from Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico to embark on a five
and a half month journey culminating at 'the end of the world',
Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego. For Simon this is a journey of
discovery. Leaving behind the safety and sanctuary of friends and
family, he is truly alone but along the way he meets and talks with
rich and poor, old and young, officials and professionals,
agricultural and industrial workers. This expertly written
travelogue reveals not only the stories of those he meets, and his
own, but also that of Latin America, its attitudes to itself, to
the USA and the UK in the aftermath of the Iraq war and the
realities of the poverty and endemic corruption throughout much of
this continent. But whilst guide books often warn of thieves,
corrupt police and border officials, Gandolfi writes of the
incredible kindness and generosity he encounters, of hope and joy,
understanding and new friendships, and ultimately, an old man's
refusal to surrender to his years. 'The journey begins tomorrow at
8 a.m with a flight from the UK to Boston. I fly Aer Lingus and
have bought and will wear a green shirt and a Clancy Brothers Arran
sweater in hope of an upgrade. I will be away from home for many
months and I have a long long way to ride. Am I nervous? Yes.
Scared? A little.' Simon Gandolfi, 18 April 2006 Outrageously
irresponsible and undeniably liberating, Gandolfi's travels will
fire the imaginations of every traveller, young or old.
In the early 1960s, travel-writer Simon Gandolfi drove a VW from
England to Goa where he rented a bungalow on the beach at
Calangute. And it was on Calangute beach that Gandolfi met and
loved Vanessa and explored with her much of the subcontinent. The
2008 terrorist attack on the Taj Hotel in Mumbai prompted Gandolfi
to re-explore the subcontinent on a small motorcycle. Collecting a
Honda 125 from the factory outside Delhi, he rode for six months
and 12,000 kilometres. He rediscovers the rented bungalow become a
beach bar, his and Vanessa's bedroom a bottle store - and he learns
of Vanessa's death soon after their parting. Memories of his
travels with Vanessa became his companions as he continued his ride
and are the connecting link in this chronicle of two journeys in
which Gandolfi explores both the changes in India and in himself.
This epic exploration of thirteen countries takes Gandolfi across
desert and over mountains, through the Amazon forest and the length
of the Appalachians. Guide books may warn of thieves, bandits,
corrupt police and border officials; Gandolfi writes of the
remarkable kindness and generosity he encounters. Courtesy,
patience and good humour are his passports while hurry is his
anathema. Whether in village or city, his joy is in leisurely
conversation. Gauchos, oil workers, peasant farmers, officials,
owners of vast haciendas, Venezuelan revolutionaries, students at
Texas A&M - all excite his curiosity and he faithfully records
their opinions while submitting his own thoughts, beliefs and fears
to an often merciless inspection. Above all this is a jubilant
chronicle of hope and understanding, of new friendships, glorious
country, sublime architecture, good food, and ultimately, an old
man's determination to surmount his years. Outrageously
irresponsible and undeniably liberating, Gandolfi's travels will
fire the imaginations of every traveller, young or old.
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