Okay, so here's what happened. I've been into Trailerfinders on 3 occasions (with the hungry hoard on their leash) and finally I have decided what ticket to purchase and which route to take. It was a difficult decision to make. I put many hours in with my lonely planet books and web site, I read my old National Geographics, I thought about it while I contorted myself at Yoga, I sought divine inspiration, 'Our father who art in nature,' I consulted friend and foe, and, I even I talked to strangers on the street.
I just stopped them randomly and said:
'Hey you. Yeah you with the funny ears.'
'Me.'
'Yeah, you. who did you think I was talking to?'
'Maybe that little runty man with the umbrella and funny nose.'
'No, it wasn't him: IT WAS YOU.' At this junture I calm down the prey as much as possible. There always afraid of the hounds. We continue, 'Okay boss, i'm not going to hurt you but these questions might, their nasty little predators; just take it easy and say the first thing that comes to your head. That's all they want.'
'Okay mister,' The randomite nearly all act the same at first. A quick flick of the flight or fight instinct, a nonchalant disguised turn of the head to see the escape routes and try detect the presence of a swooping, saving, policeman or woman, and, after all that, eventually their brain starts to function and I get an answer. But first then ravenous question!
'If the ordinary responsibilities in life were no longer responsibilities, let's call them Fred, say Fred pissed off for a year and you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?' Another funny glance around, this time disguised as a sneeze and typically a glance at a watch and a quick look at me, head to toes, to see if they can take me, or, if I'm wearing the Louis Copland psycho suit. They nearly all look uncomfortable. They seeks the safety of the highgrass and the herd.
'South America, everyone has done the Australian thing. Even me. Look can I go. Those hounds look nasty. Actually, I gotta go.' Like a bullet shot out of an elephant gun, a quick dart away into the deep concrete bush and dissembling urban safety. The questions still not properly fed I walk them home and let them at my fridge and semi-full cupboards. There sleeping soundly at the moment. But, don't you fret, don't worry. As sure as night falls day and as sure as the indubitable white man will continue to rape the blue globe-they'll be back, and they'll be more febrile than ever. After feeding I came up with this:
Mon 22 March Dublin to Madrid Dep 1855 Arr 2220
Tue 23 March Madrid to Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) Dep 0030 Arr 0725
5 MONTHS
Thu 26 Aug Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) to Buenos Aires (International) 0710 dep 0955
6 WEEEKS
Sat 9th Oct Buenos Aires (International) to Santiago (Chile) dep 1255 arr 1410
9 DAYS
Mon 18 Oct Santiago (Chile) to Auckland 2305 to 0425
2 WEEKS
Tues 02 Nov Christchurch to Melbourne 0630 arr 0810
6 DAYS
Mon 08Nov Melbourne to Brisbane 1305 1410
5 DAYS
Sat 13 Nov Brisbane to Noumea 1430 arr 1735
9DAYS
Mon 22 Nov Noumea to Sydney 1145 arr 1455
Mon 22 Nov Sydney to Bangkok 1700 arr 2220
Unfortunately my friends in Travelfinder could only officially book the first half of the trip and told me I'll have to confirm the second half while on the road. A bit of a scam if you ask me but such is everyday life in the jungle. I was told that it will cost 30 euros to change the times and 70 to include a flight. Probably double that when you get the reality jab when you go in to sort it out on the day. That reminds me I forgot to get the doc to immunise me against: Fred, dodgy dealers, drug lords, crack heads, rapists, robbers and your generally ubiquitous members of the militant global freak community.
There's not much to the rest of the trip. Onto Thailand for 2 months, a week stop in Sri Lanka and then the rest of the trip in mighty India. The cost including taxes, a visa for Australia and their commission charge of 90 euros came to about 2,500 euros and that's not including insurance which I have to sort out. They quoted 500 euros for top class comprehensive. Seems expensive, like the ticket; the pack was chopping at them when they heard it, I pulled hard on the leash and restrained them quickly and decided to do a little extraneous research to see if we can get a better deal anywhere. Probably can.
Vagabond Lesson Number 1: Go into Travelfinders, or whoever, more than once. I had completely different experiences with the personnel I cam in contact with. Try not to book and pay for the trip first time. Book it provisionally, then ask them to print out the route with the quote, walk out of the shop do a little research, email friends to see if they can meet you on the road, and when satisfied come back and then book. Also ask Doc for other jabs.
Better go, their beginning to wake again.......the meal didn't satisfy them too long. Where will I get the food this time. I'll probably have to let them at the ticket. They'll tare it apart but it will keep them happy for a while.
