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Originally Posted by 62overlander  It is good when these threads come back around, good thing this forum is not just a data base of old threads one just researches and then puts away again.
I am actually surprised by most of the responses here. I am most astonished by Pee Wee's. I just watched him building road in the original movie here's a link: Cape Town to Cairo 1959 - Original 16mm Film | CapeTowntoCairo.com. I would think that you would always have a itchy foot after that.
I am not going for two reasons only.
A) I am a carpenter, the chances of me having an extra 50k laying around is just not realist. If anyone wants to grant me the money, I will be glad to accept it and will send daily photos of how I, and my wife and two daughters are spending their money.
B) I would never think of selling my trailer off at the end of the trip. That would be like selling one of my children.
I am carefully selecting my words...
The reason that Wally was so successful, is because he did not have the attitude portrayed in the previous posts. All the threats that exist today, existed in 1959. The only exception is AIDS and that does not come from drinking the water. Africa was not remotely as accessible as today. We know so much more and have better technologies to aid our journey. Wally would be calling you all a bunch of, well, I will leave it out so this post does not get pulled. He would not accept this quitter attitude, that is for sure.
Has everyone lost their sense of adventure? You can die or be killed at any moment. I hope it does not happen while hiding in my safe suburban home here in the USA. Risk of death or injury in a part of being alive. From the moment we are born, we are dying.
I hope someone reading this is independently wealthy and thinks "self, I am going to give this guy $50k so he can go out and do the caravan that Wally had the balls to do in 1959"
Pee Wee, You are still one of my heros, that will never change and I not mean to show any disrespect, I am just shocked to hear you feel this way.
To those signed up to go, You folks should be proud of yourselves. |
I took my position last year. It hasn't changed. I only hear and read about the downward security in Africa.
Today the roads maybe better. But the safety has changed.
When we went to Africa the problems we had to face were different.
Roads went from good to none. That may have been our biggest hurdle.
All of the bugs that cause illness in Africa were there. Through pills, immunizations and watching your food and liquid intake we avoided the illnesses of the day prevalant in 1959 Africa.
With liberty, freedom and independence coming to many African nations, hostile actions towards colonial powers were declining.
We had only two possible violent areas. Southern Ethiopia had certain tribes that weren't under control of the Monarchy, and Shiftas a group of bandits in Eritrea. One problem was handled by Palace Guards, and the other one with American MP's riding shotgun through the potential area of robbery.
Today it isn't your 1959 Africa. In fact the world isn't. American popularity isn't.
Yes, adventure is fun. When you talk with people of African knowledge, who have friends in the North, South, Center, East and West part of Africa tell you what's actually happening on a day to day basis...you listen.
If you value their information, you come to a conclusion that Africa is no longer an adventure.
When someone has traveled freely through out Africa for two decades comments that "tourist areas" are dangerous, not an adventure you listen.
Through0ut the form it is Wally this and Wally that. I mentioned before Wally would not put Airstream owners at risk in today's Africa. He was the primo Caravanner, the top-shelf traveler, and a man-of-the-world. He would not put his family of Airstream owners at risk.
I wish the Caravanners godspeed, a safe venture, and a successful tour. We hope it will be a tribute to Wally, Airstream and the many years of Caravans when the tour goes into the history books.
Dale