The Worst Journey in the WorldAspley Cherry Garrard was the youngest member of the Scott Polar Expedition when he and two others lost their tent to the winds of a night-time snowstorm. They spent hours in temperatures below -70°F stumbling about the ice floes hoping they'd bump into it as it was their only hope of survival.
OK, so that was bad, but we reckon you've had worse. We know how hard you lot are.
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chthonic, Thu 7 Sep 2006, 12:40)
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The dusty, hot Guatemalan town of El Estor .... is located on the shore of lake Izabal. This was our last stop before we entered the highlands. In the morning we would head for Tactic by chicken bus.
Inquired in advance about the schedule for the bus but got three different answers from three different people. Decided to get up early in the morning. Spent all morning at the main square waiting for a bus to arrive. In the end we almost settled for an uncomfy pickup truck ride when the bus finally pulled in. Entered the bus and waited. Waited.
After an hour we asked if the bus would leave now and got a yes. Later found out that in Latin America, "ahora" did not mean "now" but "today". Oh.
After another hour, the bus driver started the bus and rattled along the unpaved streets of El Estor. Even more people entered the bus along the way. Eventually it came to a stop. We had returned to the main square. Same spot, even. More waiting. Hot sun shining.
Aften half an hour we finally got on out way, bumped along the town roads, returned to the same spot. Bus driver must have decided that he could squeeze in a few more passengers.
At this point I was laughing at the absurdity of it all. My wife, on the other hand, broke down crying and cursing and shouting in all directions. I think she would count this trip as one of the worst journeys that she ever had. I still laugh at it.
Half an hour later the motor started again, this time we were on our way, for real. The driving was suicidal as always but the view was magnificent.
(, Thu 7 Sep 2006, 14:14, Reply)
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