The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara

“Seeing the landscape at this superficial level only captures its boring uniformity, not allowing you to immerse yourself in the spirit of the place for that you must stop at least several days.” “But curiously, the sight of a lake and a forest and a simple solitary house with well-tended garden soon begins to grate.

“ We decided to go to Bariloche by the Seven Lakes road, named for the number of lakes the road skirts before reaching the town…passing greatly varying lakes, all surrounded by ancient forest, the scent of wilderness caressing our nostrils. “San Martin lies on the yellow-green slopes that melt into the blue depths of Laguna Lacar…’ or in his narration of their way to Bariloche. “The road snakes between the low foothills that sound the beginning of the great cordillera on the Andes, then descend steeply until it reaches an unattractive, miserable town, surrounded in sharp contrast by magnificent, densely wooded mountains. The wild, remote areas in southern Patagonia contrast sharply to the lively metropolis of Buenos Aires.Ĭhe’s own words captures this fascinating country when he writes: He finds Argentina a diverse country with some of the world’s tallest mountains, widespread deserts and splendid waterfalls. To appreciate the beautiful places waiting to be discovered – but not spoilt friendly people to meet – but not to judge different customs to learn from and, probably, something you can do to make our world a little more just.Ĭhe and Alberto set off from Buenos Aires, down the Atlantic coast of Argentina through La Pampa and across the Andes into Chile.įrom there the two travelled northward to Peru and Colombia with journey’s end Caracas in Venezuela. The diaries he wrote en route, and which record their disasters and discoveries, have long been a best seller and were recently the subject of a feature film now out on DVD.Įrnesto “Che” Guevara de la Serna was conscious of the impact this journey was having on him and, once you have finished reading his book, you too will hear Che’s voice encouraging you to travel with an open mind and an understanding heart. Within a decade the whole world would know his name.

In January 1952, a 23 year-old Che Guevara set out, with his friend Alberto Granado to explore South America on La Poderosa (“The Powerful One”) – a 500cc Norton.

The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara