Kuna woman from Panama

One of the things that I value most about the opportunity to do this project, is that now approaching two years, it has become a frame, a window, to view my life and its patterns. I see myself, I am beginning to know myself, my strengths, my weaknesses, what gets me up and keeps me going, what makes me stumble and stop, and what helps me to get back on the road of my life.

I found this video today, looking for another video to post (now that the website is back up!). I didn’t have the opportunity to see this video when it first came out, as I left walking, crossing over the border into Mexico when it was released.

Again, I am in the same place, but in a different location, now in Panama City, getting ready and gearing up to cross the Darien Gap, perhaps the most difficult border yet, and perhaps not difficult at all as I have yet to try. And the story is the same. I am in a comfortable location in Panama City, a city that I quite enjoy, and when I look towards the next step, it “looks like” from what others tell me, not a fun place to go.

Over 100 miles of roadless dense jungle, from Yavisa, Panama, to HWY 62 in Colombia, a region infested with landmines, drug traffickers, the Colombian guerilla movement FARC, paramillitaries, a recent outbreak of equestrian encephalitis, denge fever, malaria, and it is actually illegal to cross. I face the prospect of being jailed when I enter into Colombia, that is if the Panamanian police allow me to walk beyond Boca de Cupe. 10 FARC soldiers have been killed in Panamanian raids over the last 2 months, increasing tensions, and there is more…rainy season, food, drinkable water, money (should I carry it?), most important: coming back to my children…and the list goes on.

Yet, what if this is all in my mind, all in my thinking that is stopping me from making this next leap of faith? Is taking this next step be an unnecessary thing? Why don’t I just go to Cartegena in Colombia and make up distance that I would have walked had I crossed the Darien.

All these issues and more, unresolved at the moment, my fears keeping me paralyzed and not able to move from Panama City, where I am working, raising money to purchase the things I need to make this crossing safely and successfully, utimately knowing in my heart that all it takes is to get off the couch to produce what has never been done before, to break the patterns of always the same happening over and over…to face what is uncomfortable in my life without the fear that stops me.

Sending out a special thanks to Mikki and Nadia at Elevate films for all they do. Their life and those at Elevate committed to others always. Thank you.

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“Senor”: te pido que prosperes mi Negocio y mi criadero de cardos bendice y cuida a mi madre y a todos los miembros de mi famila llename de tu paz de tu inteligencia y tu sabiduria te lo pido Senor Bendito.

Atte: Gary Gamez Cordoba

English Translation

“Lord”, I ask you to prosper my business and my blessed thistle (?) farm and take care of my mother and all my family members. Fill me with your peace, of your intelligence and wisdom, I ask you blessed Lord.

Gary Gamez Cordoba

Portuguese Translation

“Senhor” Peço-vos que o meu negócio e prosperar minha fazenda Thistle abençoado e cuidar da minha mãe e todos os membros da minha família me enche com sua paz de sua inteligência e sabedoria peço Bendito Senhor.

Attn: Gary Gamez Cordoba

Thanks.

I have a petition so help me in praying for it.

I want to move to Japan in about 4 or 5 years, but I have to finish college first, maybe have to marry too.

So, God will support me opening the doors in the way to fulfill my wish.

Nestor

(Karateman)

Honduras

Spanish Translation

Gracias.

Tengo una petición para que me ayude a orar por él.

Deseo trasladar a Japón en unos 4 o 5 años, pero tengo que terminar la universidad primero, tal vez tenga que casarse también.

Por lo tanto, Dios me apoyan abriendo las puertas en la manera de cumplir mi deseo.

Néstor

Portuguese Translation

Graças.

Eu tenho uma petição para que me ajude a rezar por ele.

Quero ir para o Japão em cerca de 4 ou 5 anos, mas eu tenho que terminar a faculdade em primeiro lugar, talvez tenha de se casar também.

Então, Deus vai me apoiar abrir as portas no caminho para cumprir o meu desejo.

Nestor

(Karateman)

Honduras

Father Mother God

I pray my heart centre shakra becomes filled and healed with a spiritual white and golden flame of unconditional love in which perfect love casts out all fear.

Spanish

Padre Madre Dios

Ruego a mi Shakra centro del corazón se llena y curado con
una llama blanca y dorada espiritual del amor incondicional en
que el perfecto amor echa fuera el temor.

Portuguese

Pai Mãe Deus

Eu rezo meu Shakra centro do coração se enche e curada com
uma chama branca e dourada espiritual do amor incondicional
que o perfeito amor lança fora todo o medo.

Padre Nuestro y Dios todo poderosso !! Gracias por  bendecireme de una manera tan especial para mi crecimiento y feliciad.

Te encomiendo mi salud fisica, mental y espiritual. Te pido encontrar mi camino y vocacion en la vida; que pueda ser feliz atraves de ello.

Saca mi nuedos e iluminare con la luz para tener paz y amor. Te pido un trabajo perfecto y una pareja perfecta que llegue a mi en paz y armonia padre, de acuerdo a la voluntad divina.

Por mi tesis, para finalizar mis estudios. Por las personas que amo, protequelas y bencicelas. Amen. Rasalia Baumgratz, Argentina (Escribiendo de Costa Rica)

English Translation

Our Father and God Almighty! Thanks for
very special blessings in my growth and
happiness.

I am grateful for my physical health, mental and spiritual. I ask
that I find my way and a vocation in life that I can be
happy about.

Take my (?) and enlighten with the light to have peace and love.
I ask for a perfect job and a perfect match, coming to
my father in peace and harmony, according to the divine.

For my thesis to finish my studies. For people
I love, blessings and protection.

Amen. Rasalia Baumgratz,
Argentina (Writing from Costa Rica)

Portuguese Translation

Deus nosso Pai, e todos os poderosso! Por favor
bendecireme uma maneira muito especial para o meu crescimento e
Felicia.

Recomendo a minha saúde física, mental e espiritualmente. Peço
encontrar o meu caminho e vocação na vida que pode ser
ATRAVÉS feliz com isso.

Pegue minha nuedos e iluminar com a luz para ter paz e amor.
Peço um trabalho perfeito e uma combinação perfeita llepue
meu pai em paz e harmonia, de acordo com o divino.

Para a minha tese de terminar meus estudos. Para as pessoas
Eu amo, e protequelas bencicelas. Amen. Baumgratz Rasalia,
Argentina (escrita a partir de Costa Rica)

From Ama (in Costa Rica age:7)  In Lakech.

Love
Wisdom
Heaven on Earth
Wisdom
Prosperity
Happiness
Health
The Truth will Prevail

Spanish Translation

Amor
Sabiduría
Cielo en la Tierra
Sabiduría
Prosperidad
Felicidad
Salud
La verdad prevalecerá

Portuguese Translation

Amor
Sabedoria
Céu na Terra
Sabedoria
Prosperidade
Felicidade
Saúde
A verdade irá prevalecer

I AM. From this point forward, I am absolutely committed , 100%, to love, to loving myself, God, and others, and all that is, and all that is not yet.

I declare myself to be free from the past, in the name of Jesus Christ, the true and restorative word , who restores my word when I am not [my word].

I declare that from this point forward, with the help of God, that I will not smoke, put anything in my body that is harmful to it, out of my commitment to feeling fantastic about my life.

I will not, God keep me in his promise, expend myself sexually, until I have met and made my promise to my new partner, the woman of my dreams, who God wills for me.

Seeing where I have stumbled, mistepped, or missed the mark in the past, my promise for the future, from here and now, is that when temptation arises, I will break, thank God, and move beyond, letting go of the attachments to my thought.

I declare that I am in the service of others, non-judgemental, allowing others to feel the love and the peace from God that I also seek.

I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ the Redeemer, asking for his strength, and thanking Mary for hers.

And it is done. Amen.

Spanish Translation

YO SOY.

A partir de este punto en adelante, estoy absolutamente comprometida, 100%, al amor, a
amarme a mí mismo, a Dios ya los demás, y todo lo que es, y todo lo que aún no ha
llegar a ser.

Me declaro estar libre del pasado, en el nombre de Jesucristo,
la palabra verdadera y reparadora, que restaura mi palabra cuando yo no soy mi
palabra.

Declaro que a partir de ahora, con la ayuda de Dios, que voy a
No fume, no ponga nada en mi cuerpo que es perjudicial para él, fuera de mi
compromiso con la sensación fantástica de mi vida.

No lo haré, Dios me tenga en su promesa, me gaste sexual, hasta que
han reunido y han hecho que mi promesa a mi nueva pareja, la mujer de mis sueños,
que Dios quiere para mí.

Al ver que he tropezado, mal paso, o se perdió la marca en el pasado,
mi promesa para el futuro, de aquí y ahora, es que cuando la tentación
se plantea, voy a romper, gracias a Dios, e ir más allá, dejando atrás el
adjuntos a mi pensamiento.

Declaro que estoy al servicio de los demás, sin prejuicios, lo que permite
otros para sentir el amor y la paz de Dios que también buscan.

Pido esto en el nombre de Jesucristo, el Redentor, pidiendo su
fuerza, y dando las gracias a María por la de ella.

Y se hace. Amén.

Portuguese Translation

EU SOU.

Deste ponto em diante, eu estou absolutamente comprometido, 100%, para amar,
amando-me, ó Deus, e outros, e tudo o que é e tudo o que ainda não
tornar-se.

Declaro-me a ser livre do passado, em nome de Jesus Cristo,
a palavra verdadeira e reparadora que restaura a minha palavra quando eu não sou o meu
da palavra.

Eu declaro que a partir deste ponto em diante, com a ajuda de Deus, que eu vou
Não fumar, colocar qualquer coisa no meu corpo que é prejudicial a ele, fora do meu
compromisso com a sensação fantástica sobre a minha vida.

Eu não, Deus me manter em sua promessa, gastar-me sexualmente, até que eu
reuniram-se e fez a minha promessa ao meu novo parceiro, a mulher dos meus sonhos,
que Deus quer para mim.

Vendo que eu tropecei, mistepped, ou errou o alvo no passado,
a minha promessa para o futuro, do aqui e agora, é que quando a tentação
surge, eu vou quebrar, graças a Deus, e ir além, deixando de ir ao
acessórios para o meu pensamento.

Declaro que estou no serviço dos outros, sem julgamentos, permitindo que
outros para sentir o amor ea paz de Deus que eu também procuro.

Oro em nome de Jesus Cristo, o Redentor, solicitando o seu
força, e agradecendo a Maria para o dela.

E isso é feito. Amen.

Antigua, Guatemala

An exerpt from a letter to my friend Jonathon who I stayed with in Antigua, Guatemala, on my way back, hitchhiking from Tijuana to Leon, the point where I stopped walking, to continue walking again (Note: I am walking, only walking, from LA to Brazil. I do not take rides, buses, etc.  That said, I allow myself to take rides, as long as I return to the original location where I stopped walking to continue walking again. This has given me substantial flexibility and has allowed me to hitchhike 1000s of miles throughout Mexico and Honduras, as well as to have hitchhiked from Leon, Nicaragua…ending up in Seattle for Christmas to see my children, and then to hitchhike back from Tijuana to Leon to continue walking again. To date [June 29, 2010] I have walked nearly 5000 miles, and I have hitchhiked somewhere around 9000 miles through North and Central America).

Dear Jonathon,

Hitchhiking has been fantastic, though there were a few bumps on the road…hahar. Caught a ride first from American girls in jeans who took me just to the next town in the back of their Izuzu, I cant rememeber the name. Next from a very old indigeous pair, in the back of a rusty red Toyota where I stood all the way to the base of the volcano, wind in my hair, smelling the dew in the breeze, kids point and laugh…I love that and miss that we cannot do it in the States. Somewhere down the road, I jumped off the back, thanked them for the ride, heard their squeely wheels turn whereupon I looked down at the tires to see the tread barely cling to the tire. The wheels on the truck go lump lump lump…
Then a lorry to Escuintla, and another truck all the way into El Salvador. I could have had a ride all the way to San Salvador where I had a friend in wait, but I decided to take the coastal route instead. That may have been a ´mistake´.

There was very very little traffic along the El Salvador coast. A teenager struck conversation, asking what I was doing there in this town where young kids bath in the river naked with trash. Finally, for the sake of time, I took a bus for .45 usd, which broke down in the middle of nowhere. I walked where no cars pass for a good hour. With smoke in the air, the sun sets red, farmers burning and making their fields ready for the rain.

The beaches in El Salvador are beautiful, though the hills on the Pacific are still very dry. I walked into the night and a police patrol car picked me up, and drove me to their post, where they stopped another car on a feeder road, and asked them to give me a ride to La Libertad.

I felt like going on, but there was simply was no traffic at night, so I decided to set up my hammock in front of the police station. I was stringing it up and I kid you not, someone walked by and stole my backpack, and the prayers, and everything except my hammock that I had in my hand! All this, in front of the policestation, in front of police officers standing around talking by their trucks, I didnt see the person come or go.

I feel blessed that I still have a few of wonderful prayers in my pocket, the ones I have received most recently, a man who believes he has been cursed by a witch in Chiapas, by his best friend and his unfaithful girlfriend 25 years ago. His friend died immediately after the ceremony and he himself felt quite ill. He has visisted several shaman, priests, pastors and other bruheiros to have curse removed. Another prayer from a trucker, another from a young girl from Germany with a terrible skin condition that makes her itch all of the time, who has never prayed before and did not know how to begin. All of this I will explain in more detail soon.

Without a map, I was turned around the next day and still have no clue about my route, only that I somehow made it to San Miguel, a wonderful place by the way, really hot too, that was saved by the Virgin centuries ago who stopped a lava flow just before it reached the town.

There is a church there today that commemorates the spot, on the edge of town, that now marks the beginning of the colonial center, that has become a place of pilgrimage and revalry for los Salvadoreños, decending en masse (one in 5 El Salvadorians go) every Decemeber for the largest ´Carnival´I have ever seen. Streets are packed block after block after block in every direction. The pious go to church, the fallen go with Bacchus . The next day is a day is holiday and rest, perhaps at the beach nearby.

On the way to San Miguel, I rode a bus to get there, that was taken over by a succession of preachers tranfixing passengers, captive for the ride. I didn´t understand it all, but I was gripped by a repititious phrase…”it is not your promise to God…it is God´s promise to you, it is NOT your promise to God it is GOD´s promise to YOU!” A verse from Paul, an explaination, and again “the promise is not yours, it is Gods! It is not your promise to keep.”

All sweaty, the sermon was interupted when we were pulled over by the police and all the men, were asked to line up outside the bus. Our hands on the bus, spread your legs wide boys! and we are ceremoniously searched for weapons, drugs, who knows, the preacher, his bible, and all.

A ride from S.Miguel to Santa Rosa and a bus pùlls over fast, still rolling says “Vamos!” and we are off to the border. I had no problems there, pàid $3, continued on to Honduras. I caught a ride with an older Aussie couple in an RV from Australia. They were pissed…

A honduran official, Miguel, who spoke only Spanish (the aussies only spoke English), unknowingly took licks from the woman who had every bad thing to say about a country she had been inside for only 5 minutes. Soon I would see her side. She offered me a mango juice squeeze box and we told our stories. I am sweating all over their nice couch. I reassure Miguel that they are upset by the experience and that it has nothing to do with him.

They have registered a LLC. in Montana, registered the RV in the company´s name and then gave themselves permission to drive it south. They have had nothing but problems ever since.

The Honduran police generally tries to get as much money as they can from travelers, with no fewer than 7 police stops over a 120 mile or so stretch to the Nicaraguan border. Since no one stops for this short stretch in Honduras, driving south to Costa Rica, every stop becomes a…um…toll, but must tourists dont see it like this.

I made it to the Nicaraguan border, just 50 miles or so from Leon, where I was getting very excited to begin the project again, when the border officials there denied my entry and passage as my passport expires in August and their visas last for 6 months, 2 months longer than my valid passport.

After much wranglin, they flat out refused my entry, and I left, back to Tegucigalpa, depressed. I caught a ride in the back with a truck load of armed security gaurds, one feel asleep with his shotgun, his legs open, limp, now fall on my arm and chest. They dropped me off on the road to the capital where prostitutes strut, and where accross the street I slept inside a police station, hammock strapped to the rebar polls of a dirty cement cell, discarded newspapers, used toilet paper and such.

The police feed me chicken, beans, eggs, and we had a great conversation about faith, the project, and what keeps us on the road, what road, the direction it travels, the wonderful things to see there, and how to get back on the road when we get off.

The next morning, I got a stick up my === and decided to try at the border again, this time at a different location , but I miscommunicated with the trucker who picked me up and I returned to the same crossing. Oh well…I will give it a try, I thought, and prayed, but it didnt work, and the guy who denied my entry was there, outside this time, even long before the office, waiting at the edge dusty bridge built by Japan after Hurricane Andrew, waved me over, and says “no way.”

I left happy that I had tried and stuck my thumb back out to the capital where a cargo truck and then a pick up truck ride later, I ended up smack dab in front of the embassy.

The pick up truck driver had a masters degree in structural and soil engineering, owned a company that built low and middle income housing, was trying to get larger, multi-story projects, would not work for the government, has a son and daughter born in the states, now study at the university of Mississippi, and have vowed not to return. He says my project was very interesting, that I am walking through hell, but my pèrspective calls it heaven with great joy.

The embassy officials here have been fantastic, incredible really, they let me in after business hours and arranged for me to have a new passport, which won’t arrive for a week, and for perhaps the first time in 18 months, I have nothing to do, nowhere to go.

All this in just a week. You can see why I no longer bother to write. Much love to you my brother and friend, looking forward to continuing the conversation soon!

Con Amor!
Caminante