'Che'ving Time Off Che's Big Trip
- dicoffey2
- Dec 1, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 11, 2021
In January 1952, Ernesto 'Che' Guevara Lynch and his friend Alberto Granado set out on a nine month motorcycle odyssey through South America. Leaving their medical studies behind them, the pair traveled over 11,000 miles through Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela and Miami, and the poverty and inequalities that they experienced shaped Guevara's philosophy for the rest of his life. And now, with the powers of modern mapping technology, we can critique their route and suggest how Ernesto could've 'Che'ved time off his journey!
Suggestion One: Asthma
Ernesto and Alberto set off from their home town of Cordoba towards the seaside city of Miramar, stopping along the way in Buenos Aires. Throughout this leg of the trip, Che was plagued with difficulties that could've have been reduced or negated entirely today. Che suffered from Asthma, which was aggravated throughout his life by heavy cigar smoking. Modern medical science may have improved his life by providing him with an inhaler, or at least advising him not to smoke!
Che also experienced heartbreak in the city of Miramar, as his sweetheart Chichina broke up with him. Unfortunately, medicine hasn't discovered a cure for heartbreak yet, although Che may have benefited from listening to Amy Winehouse!
Suggestion Two: Google Maps and Skyscanner!
Che's 8,000 mile trip took him across the Andes, along the Amazon river, and to the cities of Bogota, Caracas and Miami. They traveled along using directions given by the locals, navigating from point to point. While this is a perfect way to experience South America, it is not the ideal, most efficient way to travel. if Che had been trying to set a record, Google Maps would've helped him decide on the best route to minimise wasted travel time.
Che also ended up taking two flights: one, with Alberto, on a flying boat to Bogota, and another lonely flight by himself to Miami. The process of booking and organising a flight has never been easier than now, as Che could've consulted Skyscanner to evaluate available flights and select the cheapest option.
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Really interesting! I look forward to reading more of your work.