January 11th, 2007
Here we are in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico, on our way to Guatemala. Before we can get there, we need to take a tour of a small village/area called Pujiltic where the sugar cane grows. Tommorrow we meet a Cargill representative named Jorge and he will give a tour of the area, fields, and sugar cane factory. Not only will we get to see this first hand, but we (meaning Charlie and Donn) can drill Jorge for endless hours on questions of sugar, labor, costs, processing, processes, climate, and all other things sugar. For those of you who wonder why this might be on the list of priorities while on a such a journey, it's possible you don't know how farmers roll or maybe better yet, let's just say, "once a farmer always a farmer!!!" (Charlie, Donn, and Bob have all made a living farming, dealing with farmers, and working in the industry. I don't own or have ownership, but besides being a traveler, you can pretty much call me a farmer, so I guess it all fits!)
I am looking forward to the day tommorow and after a day in the city it is time to get back to some "Shunpiking." For those of you who have never heard this term, join my world. According to my uncle Bob, I might as well have grown up on Mars for not have knowing the term, as I told him in defense, "I'm sorry I recieved an illigitimate education." The term "Shunpiking" is described by Wikipedia to be"the term shunpiking comes from the word shun, meaning "to avoid", and pike, a term referring to turnpikes, were roads which required payment of a toll to travel on them. People who often avoid toll roads sometims call themselves shunpikers.
Shunpiking has also come to mean an avoidance of major highways (regardless of tolls) in preferance to bucolic and scenic interludes along lightly travled country roads."
My favorite description comes from a website dedicated to "Shunpikers," http://www.shunpikers.com/ where they say, "Life is about the Journey." A perfect description on what it is to be a Shunpiker, and also a traveler. A disregard for the faster more convienient routes for those routes that might offer a more intellectual, interpersonal, or simply more scenic drive (check it out, http://www.shunpikers.com/ ).
I was surprised to learn of this idea. I was surprised to learn of this term. It didn't take long to realize that I embrace the idea and the overall theme and I can't wait until tommorrow when the roads turn to gravel, the mph's slow, the trafic ceases to exist and again I become a "Shunpiker!" It is most certainly what a trip like this is all about.
What I Learned:
1: All of our "elders" are right, we (us young ones) don't know everything!
2: Four stubborn-ass dudes in one car can prove to be challenging, even the toughest of men.
3: Shunpiking is my newest and greatest phase! TAKE THE BACKROADS AND SPREAD THE LOVE!!!
Here we are in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico, on our way to Guatemala. Before we can get there, we need to take a tour of a small village/area called Pujiltic where the sugar cane grows. Tommorrow we meet a Cargill representative named Jorge and he will give a tour of the area, fields, and sugar cane factory. Not only will we get to see this first hand, but we (meaning Charlie and Donn) can drill Jorge for endless hours on questions of sugar, labor, costs, processing, processes, climate, and all other things sugar. For those of you who wonder why this might be on the list of priorities while on a such a journey, it's possible you don't know how farmers roll or maybe better yet, let's just say, "once a farmer always a farmer!!!" (Charlie, Donn, and Bob have all made a living farming, dealing with farmers, and working in the industry. I don't own or have ownership, but besides being a traveler, you can pretty much call me a farmer, so I guess it all fits!)
I am looking forward to the day tommorow and after a day in the city it is time to get back to some "Shunpiking." For those of you who have never heard this term, join my world. According to my uncle Bob, I might as well have grown up on Mars for not have knowing the term, as I told him in defense, "I'm sorry I recieved an illigitimate education." The term "Shunpiking" is described by Wikipedia to be"the term shunpiking comes from the word shun, meaning "to avoid", and pike, a term referring to turnpikes, were roads which required payment of a toll to travel on them. People who often avoid toll roads sometims call themselves shunpikers.
Shunpiking has also come to mean an avoidance of major highways (regardless of tolls) in preferance to bucolic and scenic interludes along lightly travled country roads."
My favorite description comes from a website dedicated to "Shunpikers," http://www.shunpikers.com/ where they say, "Life is about the Journey." A perfect description on what it is to be a Shunpiker, and also a traveler. A disregard for the faster more convienient routes for those routes that might offer a more intellectual, interpersonal, or simply more scenic drive (check it out, http://www.shunpikers.com/ ).
I was surprised to learn of this idea. I was surprised to learn of this term. It didn't take long to realize that I embrace the idea and the overall theme and I can't wait until tommorrow when the roads turn to gravel, the mph's slow, the trafic ceases to exist and again I become a "Shunpiker!" It is most certainly what a trip like this is all about.
What I Learned:
1: All of our "elders" are right, we (us young ones) don't know everything!
2: Four stubborn-ass dudes in one car can prove to be challenging, even the toughest of men.
3: Shunpiking is my newest and greatest phase! TAKE THE BACKROADS AND SPREAD THE LOVE!!!
Nic, I've enjoyed following you "Wild Hogs." Tee-hee. Your adventures sound quite exciting minus this last tour. :o) I'd appreciate a few more pics but I'm just sayin....
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