Crying like a baby: The Motorcycle Diaries...
by: Susanne Pacher
It has been an emotional evening tonight. In my earlier blog of today I indicated that I just heard news tonight that my friend Neil passed away, something that is going through my head as we speak.
Before I heard these news I had actually been watching the movie Motorcycle Diaries which has just been released on DVD. I have been meaning to see this movie for a while now, obviously because it would show great footage of Latin America, because it is about a long road trip, a true adventure - something that a travel nut like me would obviously enjoy.
But as the movie moved on to portray significant scenes of Ernesto ?Che? Guevara and Alberto Granado in the workers? selection at the mine, their visit to Macchu Picchu, their stay in the leper colony; you could really see the transformation of the characters. A transformation from a simple travelogue, coming-of-age story of two young men to their (and particularly Ernesto?s) spiritual and political awakening, planting the seed for his future philosophies and actions.
I admit I do not know much about Ernesto ?Che? Guevara other than that he was a critical figure in the Cuban Revolution and in Latin American politics in general. Of course I now feel I am going to have to educate myself a little better to really get to know who this famous figure might have been.
What did move me in the movie though was the portrayal of people?s hardships, the workers, the indigenous people, the outcasts in the lepers colony and that Ernesto reached out to them. And I was touched by the actor Gabriel Garcia Bernal?s (of Y Tu Mama Tambien, Amores Perros and Bad Education fame) extremely skillful portrayal of a sensitive young man who is just experiencing a political and spiritual awakening. A man who obviously came from the privileged class in Buenos Aires, an aspiring doctor, who dedicated himself to the cause of global justice, who didn?t shy away from refusing gloves when touching and interacting with lepers, who gave away most of the little money he had on this long road trip to a poor peasant couple who had been thrown off their land.
I found the movie extremely emotional. To be honest, I ended up balling like a baby at the end of it, I was so moved. To me the movie perfectly personifies the human condition, all the good and all the bad that we are capable of as a human race.
In light of my upcoming trip to Cuba I?ll spend some time in the next little while to educate myself about Che Guevara. Given that his name has a very strong ideological connotation, I?ll try to investigate his persona from many different angles to give myself a more well-rounded picture of this fascinating individual.
Let the world change you?..
and you can change the world.
About The Author
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions (http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the transitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys. Submit your own travel stories in our first travel story contest (http://www.travelandtransitions.com/contests.htm) and have a chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on the Amazon River. "Life is a Journey
The story with photos is published at Travel and Transitions ? Insights and Reflections (http://www.travelandtransitions.com/insights/motorcycle_diaries.htm).
|
Batteries - Charging ahead
Batteries - Charging ahead
by: Eric Comforth
In these days of walk-and-talk and walk-and-work, battery chargers are as much a necessity to business as a microwave oven is to the kitchen. Cell phones, laptops, notebooks, and camcorders, just to mention a few.
But how do they work? Here are some types of battery chargers explained:
? Solar battery chargers: These little gems use the sun?s energy to recharge batteries. From car, boat and motorbikes to cell phones, DVD players and computers, there is a solar battery charger to suit.
? Automotive battery chargers: Most automotive battery chargers simply attach to the vehicle?s battery terminals and plug in to mains power. However, there are now new products on the market that work to prevent the battery from going flat in the first place.
To comprehend how the process works it is important to understand what causes a battery to deteriorate.
Car batteries rely on a chemical...
Batteries - Charging ahead
Dvd > Batteries - Charging ahead
Blu-Ray Set To Take The World By Storm!
Blu-Ray Set To Take The World By Storm!
by: Paul Colbert
The Blu-ray Disc belongs to a new generation of optical discs capable of staging high density data. Blu-Ray technology is based on a blue-violet coloured laser. The blue laser operates at a wave length of 405 nm, while older technology such as DVDs and CDs are based on red and infrared lasers that works at 650 and 780 nm. Since the wave length is shorter with a blue laser, the new Blu-ray technology makes is possible to store much more information
The advantage with the Blu-ray technology is that the laser beam can be focused much more tightly at the surface of the disc. Tight focus means that a smaller spot will be produced on the surface on the disc, and when the spots become smaller there will naturally be room for more information on each disc. The minimum spot size of any laser depends on a naturally accruing phenomenon called diffraction. The narrow beam of light sent out from a...
Blu-Ray Set To Take The World By Storm!
Dvd > Blu-Ray Set To Take The World By Storm!
How To Get A Free Radar Detector In 3 Easy Steps
How To Get A Free Radar Detector In 3 Easy Steps
by: Michael Kim
OK, so we?ve all seen them; banner ads, emails, messages on forums claiming to help you get free stuff.
Some offer free ipods, others offer a free playstation3, and some even offer free gas.
Most people think they are scams; spam designed to steal your information or get you to buy something.
But when you look at certain sites, they have pictures and testimonials of people who have actually received their free products.
You may even know someone who has.
Maybe it was a college friend or someone at work.
If people are actually receiving these products, then it isn?t a scam.
But how exactly does it work?
How can these companies give away these products for free?
It?s actually very simple.
It?s called CPA or Cost Per Acquisition.
The advertisers on these websites pay for the acquisition of new...
Dvd > How To Get A Free Radar Detector In 3 Easy Steps
Organizing a Successful Family Reunion Event
Organizing a Successful Family Reunion Event
by: Mark Askew
Since the advent of the personal computer and network technology genealogy research by family members has become an addictive pastime that has contributed to many happy family reunions. But what if you were asked to organize the next event? Where would you start? When should you start? Should you hire a family reunion planner? The answers to these questions are three fold.
Since the advent of the personal computer and network technology genealogy research by family members has become an addictive pastime that has contributed to many happy reunions while others have discovered family members they never knew they had the world over.
If your reading this article you're probably one of those family members who have a spot in your heart for such reunions. But what if you were asked to organize the next event? Where would you start? When should you start? Should you hire a family...
Organizing a Successful Family Reunion Event
Dvd > Organizing a Successful Family Reunion Event
Who is the TV Guardian in Your House?
Who is the TV Guardian in Your House?
by: Chris Robertson
If you're a parent, chances are you're concerned about the content your kids are being exposed to on television. According to a March 2005 poll by Time Magazine, 66 percent of respondents said there is too much violence on TV, 58 percent said there is too much cursing, and 50 percent said there is too much sexual content. Although that's the perception of adults, it's based in fact.
According to the Parents Television Council, profanity is used once every six minutes on network TV shows, once every two minutes on premium cable shows, and once every three minutes in major motion pictures. Alarmingly, according to January 2005 Nielsen statistics, Desperate Housewives is the most popular network television show among children aged 9 to 12. Unless you're willing to be the TV guardian in your house, how can you be the TV filter that ensures your home remains curse free?
Fortunately, new...
Who is the TV Guardian in Your House?
Dvd > Who is the TV Guardian in Your House?
Batteries - Charging ahead
Batteries - Charging ahead
by: Eric Comforth
In these days of walk-and-talk and walk-and-work, battery chargers are as much a necessity to business as a microwave oven is to the kitchen. Cell phones, laptops, notebooks, and camcorders, just to mention a few.
But how do they work? Here are some types of battery chargers explained:
? Solar battery chargers: These little gems use the sun?s energy to recharge batteries. From car, boat and motorbikes to cell phones, DVD players and computers, there is a solar battery charger to suit.
? Automotive battery chargers: Most automotive battery chargers simply attach to the vehicle?s battery terminals and plug in to mains power. However, there are now new products on the market that work to prevent the battery from going flat in the first place.
To comprehend how the process works it is important to understand what causes a battery to deteriorate.
Car batteries rely on a chemical...
Batteries - Charging ahead
Dvd > Batteries - Charging ahead
Buying Furniture Online Will Save You Buckets
Buying Furniture Online Will Save You Buckets
by: Comodon Mobiliano
Hassle free shopping for furniture without taking the pains of going from store to store could be achieved by surfing the Internet. Just keep the following step-by-step guide at the back of your mind to get the best bargain available:
- Use the popular search engines like Google or Yahoo and search by typing in "Furniture". Using specific words like patio furniture, whicker furniture,...
patio furniture Crying like a baby: The Motorcycle Diaries... Dvd
Dvd > Buying Furniture Online Will Save You Buckets
Choosing Your New Puppy
Choosing Your New Puppy
by: Shirley Purdy
When expecting a new puppy addition to the family you want nothing but the best. You check out the best day-care facilities, kindergarten and schooling.
So, why should it be any different when the new addition is a puppy? Hey, if it?s good enough for stars like Brittany and Paris, who are we to question this new trend in spoiling our pets.
Before buying your new puppy it is advisable to do some research and...
Crying like a baby: The Motorcycle Diaries... Choosing Your New Puppy
Dvd > Choosing Your New Puppy
Choosing Hiking Boots
Choosing Hiking Boots
by: Marty Rubenski
If you?ve ever been 5 miles from the trailhead with painful blisters, or even a sprained ankle, you will appreciate how much your hiking enjoyment rests literally on your feet. The selection of the correct hiking boots can be the difference between a great experience and a disaster. The choice of the right pair of boots can add considerably to your comfort and personal safety, especially in rugged or difficult terrain...
Choosing Hiking Boots
Dvd > Choosing Hiking Boots
Understanding Cosmetics
Understanding Cosmetics
by: Redi Choetics
Commonly, cosmetics means a preparation, such as powder or a skin cream, designed to beautify the body by direct application or it may be something superficial that is used to cover a deficiency or defect.
Cosmetics serve to beautify the body, especially the face and hair. Cosmetic surgery means to serve to modify or improve the appearance of a physical feature, defect, or irregularity. Cosmetics can be used on...
cosmetics Crying like a baby: The Motorcycle Diaries...
Dvd > Understanding Cosmetics
40th Birthday Party Ideas For a Sensational Celebration
40th Birthday Party Ideas For a Sensational Celebration
by: Dee Schrock
Is a 40th birthday party coming up and you're at a loss for ideas? Here are a few tips and ideas to help you get started.
You can create your own invitations by drawing 40th birthday theme such as "40" or over-the-hill gag themes.
A great themed 40th birthday party is 70's memorabilia. Have beanbag chairs handy for a groovy gathering. Share old stories about the guest of honor.
Wear...
40th Birthday Party Ideas For a Sensational Celebration
Dvd > 40th Birthday Party Ideas For a Sensational Celebration