I Survived the Andes!!!!!

Hello. I know it's been a long time, I hope you didn't think I'd forgotten about you. It's been a rough road to travel (I wish it was actually a road I traveled on, they were more like trails. Let us not forget the mountains I had to go over as well to get where I am now. When I say I survived the Andes, I'm not referring to the little chocolate mint candies!) I arrived a couple of days ago in San Cristobal, Venezuela. This is not the most serene country to visit environment wise, but I just keep thinking about getting to Rio. That's what keeps me motivated. I can almost taste the margaritas now. I'm heading out again tomorrow but I'm hoping to snag a ride.

For those of you unfamiliar with current concerns of Venezuela, they include a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples. All the rest is just icing on the cake.

Well, I'm off to barter for a ride tomorrow. Planning on using the prima cigars I smuggled in under my Sombreo.

Take care and I'll let you know when I hit Rio!

Love and Miss you all,

Clive the Gnome King

Adios, mi Magda!

This picture of Me and Magda was taken on our final night in Mexico. A farewell kiss, if you will. It's been a few weeks now and I miss the little minx, but I'm sure our paths will cross again. I gave her my blog address so we will stay in contact that way until I've finished my travels and then I shall visit her and her family back in America. But frankly, at this rate my year long trip around the globe will take three years. It's been slow going. I've been traveling by foot since I left Cancun in April. I'm heading to South America. I'm currently in Belize along the Caribbean. I should hit Guatemala in a few days if my feet hold out. Then it's down through Honduras (I'm steering clear of El Salvador as I might still be wanted there by the policia. Nothing serious, just a small indiscretion in my past. Hardly worth mentioning.)

Then I'll hit Nicaragua, Costa Rica and then Panama City, Panama. I can almost taste the prima cigars I'll be smoking during this leg of my trip. Then across Columbia over to Venezuela then down through Brazil. Rio De Janeiro is where I'm heading. Love Love Love Rio. Haven't mapped out my plans after that. I've got a lot of walking ahead of me therefore a lot of time to decide.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

LOVE,
Clive the Gnome King