World Apprentice: Volunteer Overlander

[edgear]

After several months of planning, I’m just days away from crossing south into Mexico on my drive from Arizona to Argentina. I decided to take a year-or-so extended leave of absence from my office duties in order to head out on a grand adventure. The idea is to not only volunteer at various places along the way, but also to document master craftsmen of their trade. Thus is born World Apprentice.



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This first leg will focus on just Latin America (which I've nicknamed 'Aprendiz Américas'). During the past few months of preparations, I’ve written several articles appearing on the main page of ExPo – with many more to come. This post will serve as a place to catalog each of those, and this thread will serve as an active discussion about my travels.

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[Intro] (http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventures/83-in-progress-overland-journey/578-world-apprentice-and-what-the-heck-am-i-doing.html)
[Vehicle & suspension] (http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventures/83-in-progress-overland-journey/611-world-apprentice-vehicle-selection-a-preparation.html) [Shakedown #1] (http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventures/83-in-progress-overland-journey/615-world-apprentice-shakedown-trip-1.html) [Synthetic fluids] (http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventures/83-in-progress-overland-journey/623-world-apprentice-vehicle-selection-a-preparation-part-2.html) [Route] (http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventures/83-in-progress-overland-journey/630-world-apprentice-route-planning.html) [Water] (http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventures/83-in-progress-overland-journey/653-world-apprentice-water-storage-a-filtration.html) [Electronics] (http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventures/83-in-progress-overland-journey/660-world-apprentice-electronics.html) [Solar System] (http://www.expeditionportal.com/adventures/83-in-progress-overland-journey/753-world-apprentice-solar-system.html)

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My website: worldapprentice.org (http://worldapprentice.org/)
Shared SPOT pages: SPOT Adventures (http://www.spotadventures.com/user/profile/?user_id=80283) | SPOT (http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0FA6ZfI0O1aCOFUPBTooeKtqZxY9roj 3l)

[Idlehour]

Subscribed. :sombrero: Awesome concept. Looking forward to updates.

[Redline]

Looking forward to all of this J :)

[1leglance]

very cool concept for a trip....more than just travel
thanks for taking us along

[crawler#976]

Good luck Jeremy, and safe travels!

We'll be keeping tabs on ya!

[Mr. Leary]

Safe travels, friend!

[defrag4]

Nice platform, my exact choice if I had a bit more coin in the coffers when I started

[edgear]

I'm in northern Mexico now, finishing up some "preparations" articles, and will have some travel stories posted next. I also have the beginnings of my website live, along with a SPOT page.

My website: worldapprentice.org (http://worldapprentice.org)
Shared SPOT pages: SPOT Adventures (http://www.spotadventures.com/user/profile/?user_id=80283) | SPOT (http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0FA6ZfI0O1aCOFUPBTooeKtqZxY9roj 3l)


Sneak preview: one of the first photos taken on the trip in Mexico, at a campsite I rolled into just at sunset. Just enough time to whip out the tripod before it got too dark!

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[Streakerfreak]

Just wanted to keep you up-to-date, I'm still working on those boats for you. Recently received a few no's, but I'm still waiting on a few boats and other contacts to reply back to me.

[BajaGeoff]

Awesome Jeremy...can't wait to read more about the trip and see some Mexico photos!

[1leglance]

congrats on making it to mexico and I am also looking forward to reading some of your stuff
thanks!

[edgear]

Just wanted to keep you up-to-date, I'm still working on those boats for you. Recently received a few no's, but I'm still waiting on a few boats and other contacts to reply back to me.

Thanks Phil! I'm sure I could round up some glowing third-party references on Carter (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carter/159642487387703) if need be. Hopefully a sailboat will allow him aboard. I'd much prefer that over air travel. So far my preference of travel while my truck is being shipped around the Darien Gap is:

Sailboat
Kayak
Backpack through on foot
Buy a plane ticket



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[Hltoppr]

Looking forward to following your adventure, amigo!

[Jeff Wanamog]

Have fun! I need to keep an eye on this.:lurk:
Jeff

[TACODOC]

Cool :costumed-smiley-007

[TXH3T]

This is awesome cant wait to hear more. Good luck Jeremy!

[Fergie]

Abouts times.

From sitting around bull****ting drinking beers to actually doing it!

Say hello to the señoritas.

Que pase un buen dia, hermano.

[SWbySWesty]

subscribed

[762X39]

Thanks Phil! I'm sure I could round up some glowing third-party references on Carter (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carter/159642487387703) if need be. Hopefully a sailboat will allow him aboard. I'd much prefer that over air travel. So far my preference of travel while my truck is being shipped around the Darien Gap is:

Sailboat
Kayak
Backpack through on foot
Buy a plane ticket


I may be old in the tooth but if it were possible (I haven't looked at the topos or researched it or anything like that), hiking through on foot would be adventurous!Stay safe.:coffee:

[Ruined Adventures]

I may be old in the tooth but if it were possible (I haven't looked at the topos or researched it or anything like that), hiking through on foot would be adventurous!Stay safe.:coffee:
We had dinner recently with someone who backpacked around the Gap on foot in the 80's. He mostly stuck to the coast, and it sounded like a machete is a must...but where there's a will, there's a way.


Just wanted to keep you up-to-date, I'm still working on those boats for you. Recently received a few no's, but I'm still waiting on a few boats and other contacts to reply back to me.
:lurk:

[Streakerfreak]

:lurk:


Yup, doing the both of you. Sometimes it can take a bit of time to hear back from the boats. Hopefully, I can set you guys up soon.

[elcoyote]

Happy to see that you're fully underway Amigo! I love the the Apprentice theme. My mentor from many moons ago, Ron Ribal, told me that the obligation of the receiver of new knowledge and skills is to pass it on. You have much to bring to those whom you meet along the way and a wealth to learn that will shape you for the rest of your life. I look forward to watching your story unfold. Buen Viaje!

[Streakerfreak]

Jeremy, Brenton, and Shannon. I might have several options for you guys, but let me know when you are about a month to 3 weeks away from Panama City. No one wants to say yes to your dogs this early in all of your trips. I can't guarantee we will find the right boat, but there is a chance.

Once we get a little closer I will help you guys work out the details and see what options there are.

[edgear]

This is my first stab at trying to put together a video in iMovie. And a good reminder why not to drive at night in developing countries! Very glad to have Baja Bound Mexican Insurance (http://www.bajabound.com/) - but hope not to have to use it any time soon.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r2660mXoM4&feature=youtu.be

[1leglance]

Funny the things you see on the roads in Mexico...
Yeah driving at night no bueno mi amigo.

Looking forward to some updates, pics and even videos if you have a chance. But more than anything looking forward to your thoughts and stories as you travel.

[Redline]

snip...
Looking forward to some updates, pics and even videos if you have a chance. But more than anything looking forward to your thoughts and stories as you travel.

x10 :)

[benedmonson]

Team Equipt is subscribed......:sombrero:

[edgear]

Continuing the adventure (http://worldapprentice.org/blog/2012/04/learning-to-slow-down-even-more/) south along the Sea of Cortez:

http://worldapprentice.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/sunrise_pano.jpg (http://worldapprentice.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/sunrise_pano.jpg)

[1leglance]

great write up and shame the oystering didn't go better
amazing pics you are getting there my friend

[crawler#976]

Any updates Jeremy?

[edgear]

For the past several weeks I've been "off the grid" in some more remote places of Guatemala, mostly volunteering at little organic farm near Lago Atitlán. I did spend a wonderful few weeks with the Denning family (of discovershareinspire.com (http://discovershareinspire.com)) who are currently driving from Alaska to Argentina with five little ones. The experiences & photos keep rolling in, so I will have plenty of updates for my blog as I continue my slow drive south...

[Christian P.]

Jeremy

how are you liking the 4WC so far? how does the Tacoma handle with it?

[gjackson]

Jeremy,

Awesome blog so far. Make sure you hit the market in Chichicastenango before you leave the Atitlan area unless you already have. Market is on Thursday and Sunday I believe. Great stuff.

cheers

Graham

[Streakerfreak]

I'm still staying in contact with several boats for you and Carter since it looks like that ferry might be a bust.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

[edgear]

Jeremy

how are you liking the 4WC so far? how does the Tacoma handle with it?

The FWC is absolutely wonderful, and really making this adventure very comfortable, while still keeping my "footprint" rather small & nimble. My little Taco definitely feels the weight of the camper, but I pretty much drive like a grandpa now to get the best fuel economy possible, and to minimize any stress on the suspension. But I don't mind that at all -- it allows me to further enjoy the scenic backroads of Latin America and still get decent mpg.

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Jeremy,

Awesome blog so far. Make sure you hit the market in Chichicastenango before you leave the Atitlan area unless you already have. Market is on Thursday and Sunday I believe. Great stuff.

cheers

Graham

I didn't make it to Chichicastenango, but was able to see some other cool markets in Guatemala. The area around Atitlán was amazing, and especially the Fuentes Georginas hot springs near Xela.

[p1michaud]

Cool travels, like the kilt!
Happy trails.