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On to South America…

May 1, 2009 | posted by Jon under updates

Despite Managua, Nicaragua being the “official” halfway point, last Friday, April 24th, Lars and I pulled into Panama City, ending our North American portion of our route. At the time I would have loved think about the occasion more, but we decided to go out in style by waking up at 4 AM and riding 155 miles in one day to get into Panama City a day early.  We finished the day just as the sun was setting over the Bridge of the Americas, and without too much trouble, which was encouraging for us, especially with the Andes still ahead.

After showering, sleeping very well Friday night, and doing some journaling, I finally had time to think about the end of this leg of our journey and the beginning of South America (no revelations promised).

First, I cannot believe that we are at this point in our trip already.  For all of those lonely, uncomfortable times on the bike these past few months have moved rather quickly.

Second, I have been blown away by the hospitality of…people.  Not any one type or faith background in particular, but just people in general.  We have yet to use the tent we have been carrying, and time and time again we have been offered food, money, a shower, a bed, or even simply advice.  We are journeying with the prayers and love sent from back home and the direct assistance of those we have met along the way.  This combination of support has been incredible to experience.  A wonderful, unexpected surprise.

Third, (and I think I can speak for Lars here), our experience with the North America we passed through has been rich.  The people we have met, the foods we have tried, the cultures we have encountered, the communities we have entered all have been blessings to us - helping to make this experience of sharing with and pedalling through 8 countries unforgettable, and we still have 4 left!

Things I will miss about North America (mostly food related…sorry): Mexican sweet bread, the EMU Guatemala Cross Cultural, Dos Pinos and Estrella Azul icre cream (Costa Rica and Panama, respectively), gallo pinto (Nicaragua and Costa Rica), the Gorton´s house in San Isidro (Costa Rica), Lago Atitlan (Guatemala), Po-Boy´s and The Shed’s barbecue (Southern US), Nutella and peanut butter (wherever it is less than $4 a jar), Oaxacan crickets and mole, and the number of Mennonite contacts we had along our route…..

Things I am looking forward to about South America: the Andes, the native lands of squash, sweet potatoes, and Inca Kola, eating guinea pig, buying alpaca souvenirs, connecting with Andean churches and Mennonites in the Chaco, trying to breath at 14 or 15,000 feet, being cold again.

Prayers of thanks:  for safety, for good health, for a good riding companion, for this experience thus far….

Prayer requests:  for continued safety, for the ”difficult” sections we have spotted on our maps, for continued good health (especially as we start climbing), for our families, friends, and ourselves as we continue on to another continent….