11-07-2022, 03:27 PM
Back in 1986 I crossed off an important destination that I had secretly been hoping to see since age thirteen. I had been working for the airlines for just a few years but when the chance came along, I got a space available pass (you just pay the tax) and boarded a Pan Am Boeing 747 to Rio. It was everything it was advertised to be and much more, I was doing something I had always dreamt of doing at a much younger age of 35 and that trip stayed with me.
At age 53 I renewed my love affair with Rio. I began traveling there when my airline began doing the heavy maintenance at Varig the Brazilian airline. I would go for a couple of weeks at a time until Varig eventually went out of business. Eventually in 2009 the airline I worked in closed it's doors as well. By 2012 I had to taken early retirement and since then I've lived the life of a 70 year old retiree.
A few things have happened since July of 2022. First, I discovered a wonderful
Brazilian singer by the name of Roberta Sa. I never thought I could fall in love again at my age but dang it, Roberta stole my heart when I wasn't looking. Second, I bought a pair of Perellis adventure tires for my CB in the hopes of doing some motorcycle camping as far north as Tennessee. Third, and this was the kicker, my landlord raised my rent. Normally none of these events would have pushed me in the direction I'm about to go, but that darn Roberta, the adventure tires, the higher rent, and the fact that I can get a two bedroom apartment in Copa Cabana Rio de Janeiro with a garage, and maid service and within stalking distance from Roberta's house for about $780.00 a month. well I guess you know were this is heading.
I have a friend who works for an airline and has promised to accompany me on the exploratoy initial trip to Rio. And should I insist going through with my adventure, he would ship my CB on a freight aircraft as soon as I am there to receive it. Yes, there's a lot of planning to be done, but Roberta and the thousands of miles of highway along the Brazilian coastline are whispering my name.
Back in Cuba when I was 10, my father asked me if I wanted to learn to speak English, to which I replied NO!. He then reminded me that I had always wanted to see the snow, and that if I went to Miami to live with my aunt I could actually see some snow. He lied to me to get me out fo Cuba just before everything went to he**. Now I'm asking myself if I still have one good adventure left in me. Well at least I'll have the right tires.
At age 53 I renewed my love affair with Rio. I began traveling there when my airline began doing the heavy maintenance at Varig the Brazilian airline. I would go for a couple of weeks at a time until Varig eventually went out of business. Eventually in 2009 the airline I worked in closed it's doors as well. By 2012 I had to taken early retirement and since then I've lived the life of a 70 year old retiree.
A few things have happened since July of 2022. First, I discovered a wonderful
Brazilian singer by the name of Roberta Sa. I never thought I could fall in love again at my age but dang it, Roberta stole my heart when I wasn't looking. Second, I bought a pair of Perellis adventure tires for my CB in the hopes of doing some motorcycle camping as far north as Tennessee. Third, and this was the kicker, my landlord raised my rent. Normally none of these events would have pushed me in the direction I'm about to go, but that darn Roberta, the adventure tires, the higher rent, and the fact that I can get a two bedroom apartment in Copa Cabana Rio de Janeiro with a garage, and maid service and within stalking distance from Roberta's house for about $780.00 a month. well I guess you know were this is heading.
I have a friend who works for an airline and has promised to accompany me on the exploratoy initial trip to Rio. And should I insist going through with my adventure, he would ship my CB on a freight aircraft as soon as I am there to receive it. Yes, there's a lot of planning to be done, but Roberta and the thousands of miles of highway along the Brazilian coastline are whispering my name.
Back in Cuba when I was 10, my father asked me if I wanted to learn to speak English, to which I replied NO!. He then reminded me that I had always wanted to see the snow, and that if I went to Miami to live with my aunt I could actually see some snow. He lied to me to get me out fo Cuba just before everything went to he**. Now I'm asking myself if I still have one good adventure left in me. Well at least I'll have the right tires.