[StingrayL82]

There are several reasons which jump out in my mind as to why the WBCCI wouldn't support the CCC. Some have already been posted. Here are my thoughts on the matter and why I wouldn't participate in this journey:

1) The logistics/costs involved with such a trip in today's economy are going to be astronomical. If the trip is going to cost $100/day, and let's say that it is just per trailer and not per person, do the math; how long did the original trip actually take? Let me refresh your memory: 220 days....That's $22,000 for the math impaired. Take into account the cost of the trailer, cost of shipping, cost of tow vehicle, cost of plane ticket and constant cost of repairs on the road. How many folks have that much cash to throw away? I know I don't.

2) When I was in Special Forces, I was in several countries that are on the CCC route. I can tell you from experience that many of the roads are no better than they were in 1959. Has anyone actually bothered to watch the DVD of the original trip? Vehicles got stuck quite often and will again. That, to me, is not adventure but a giant pain in the you know what.

3) Last time I checked, Sudan and Ethiopia block the path to Egypt. Anyone read the papers? The countries along this trip aren't controlled by Europe anymore, ie. 1959 laws no longer apply, only chaos and war. Oh yeah, don't forget about dysentery, dengue fever and malaria just to name a few diseases. Are you up to date on your shots?

4) Has anyone taken into account the bribe money needed for safe passage through these areas? Better yet, does anyone trust the locals to actually lead you through to safety? As an intelligence analyst, I sure as heck wouldn't.

4) 1975-1980 Airstreams.....hmmmmm.....can you say rear end separation????? Potholed roads are a recipe for constant repair. I hope they bring along someone who can weld and plenty of spare metal.

IMO, WBCCI sees no potential gain from this trip. If anything, there is almost certain loss. How would their PR department deal with losing one or more WBCCI members to tribal warfare and/or terrorists?

Human life, to me, is too valuable....My best friend died in my arms at the hands of an Albanian Anti-Tank mine in Kosovo; that's not something I care to re-live ever again.

If you want to waste your money and risk your life on this trip, be my guest; The Darwin Awards will have something to write about. I'm staying in the comfort of my tin can in Texas. If I want to go on the Capetown to Cairo trip, I'll pop in the DVD from my Limited Edition Wanderlust.

Sorry for the rant, sarcasm and cynicism, but I'd hate to see anyone die for the sake of nostalgia.

Frederic