Legend of Adventure Charles Brewer-Carias describes his role in life as “To Discover”. In fact he goes on to say,
“This is what keeps me going: discovery. It’s about transmitting information that has been shielded from humans for aeons.”
Who’s Charels you ask? He’s the Indiana Jones of Venezuela and he’s 71 years old.
I like anyone that has a verb as an ultimate goal….they have energy.
Travel is discovery to me. Everything is a new experience to dig into, enjoy, and understand. Lately I’ve been discovering Spain, but there is an underlying theme to this Spanish expedition…cars. In order to prepare for my upcoming driving adventure to Mongolia I’ve been getting used to being back on wheels again during my time in Spain.
First I was a spectator at the Formula 1 race in Valencia. I daydreamed about taking one of those F1 cars to Mongolia – now that would be a speedy trip! I’m guessing they wouldn’t make it through a river crossing though – and lord knows there would be no room for luggage, spare tires, and camping gear.
However I wouldn’t mind taking a pit crew like this one to help with tire changes! The fastest tire change I’ve ever seen!
Next I had the opportunity to ride in the Mercedes safety car around the F1 track – a once in a lifetime experience. The car purred…literally. Driving the track was such a unique vantage point to have. To see where all of the tire marks were, hugging the curves, dodging joggers and bicyclists! It was fun to discover what a F1 track is used for when they aren’t racing.
I’m pretty sure that the Mercedes could make it just fine to Mongolia – but what kind of adventure would that be if we knew we would make it?
In a little over 2 weeks I will be circling yet another racetrack, Goodwood race track outside of London. Yet this time I will be driving…albeit slowly with 350 other teams in the Festival of Slow. The Festival kicks off our massive 10,000 mile adventure.
For example, I’ve discovered that trying to organize a mechanical checkup for a car that I’ve never seen and don’t know the person who is storing it is can be nearly as impossible as climbing Kilimanjaro. (I’m hoping the car fares better than my failed climb up Kili). I’ve discovered that trying to determine how to get a roof storage solution for a car that I’ve never seen in a country that is unfamiliar to me is also no walk in the park. But most of all I’ve discovered that doing all of this coordinating and attempted communicating online across countries is a big pain in the ass.
Sherry Ott is a refugee from corporate IT who is now a long term traveler, blogger, and photographer. She’s a co-founder of Briefcasetobackpack.com, a website offering career break travel inspiration and advice.
Additionally, she runs an around the world travel blog writing about her travel and expat adventures at Ottsworld.com.com.
