Vanagon Journey

Today was a day full of connections and nature's surprises. I've been fortunate to connect with the local fire chief here in Guatemala. He's been an invaluable resource, helping me navigate the maze of rules and regulations we’ll need to follow as we set up our nonprofit. His deep understanding of the local community, coupled with his network, is going to be a tremendous help as we move forward. In the afternoon, I took a hike up to Cerro de la Cruz with a friend. The climb was worth every step—the views from the top were absolutely breathtaking. Antigua lay stretched out beneath us, with its colorful rooftops and cobblestone streets weaving a picturesque landscape against the backdrop of towering volcanoes. On our way back down, we got caught in one of those sudden Guatemalan rainstorms—a torrential downpour that soaked us to the bone. But instead of being a nuisance, the warm rain felt almost magical. There's something incredibly freeing about getting drenched in a pl...

Last night was nothing short of magical. I had the privilege of spending time with a local woman who allowed me to record her making Pepian, a traditional Guatemalan dish that's rich with history and flavor. It was a beautiful moment—capturing the essence of this culture through food. We sat down to enjoy the Pepian with some of the workers here, and it was nothing short of fantastic. After the meal, we gathered around a fire under the glow of a massive blue moon. The sky was clear, and the moon was breathtakingly large and bright—a sight that truly captivates the soul. As we watched the flames flicker, we howled at the moon like wolves, feeling connected to something bigger, something primal. I took some incredible pictures of the moon that night, and I’ve built a page to share them with you. Click here to check them out. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this! Adelante!

 As I’ve spent more time getting to know the people at the campground, I’ve noticed that some real honesty is finally coming out. One man I’m becoming good friends with has been upfront with me, and I’m grateful for it. It turns out that my rice and beans—something I’ve been cooking for myself and happily sharing—haven’t exactly been a hit. Apparently, my beans are too hard, and while I love the simplicity of rice and beans, they see it differently. To them, it's just another meal they already eat every day. I get it now—the “great white savior” feeding them the same thing they’re used to doesn’t feel special. That said, I’m still going to keep making my rice and beans for myself. I love it, and it’s a good way to stay grounded and keep things simple for my own meals. But I want to switch things up for the people around me, so I’m diving into some classic American dishes that might offer them something different. I’m thinking of cooking up some mac and cheese, sloppy joes, grilled ...

After a few days of battling what everyone told me was Dengue Fever, which they said would keep me down for weeks and only get worse, I can’t even begin to explain how grateful I am to have bounced back so quickly. There were moments when I could barely walk to refill my water bottles, holed up in my van without the energy to eat. But somehow, I made it through. I’m fully back to health now, ready to hit the ground running again—though I can’t help but keep in mind that Dengue might still be lurking in the future. Back in action, I’m working on an exciting new project with a good friend of mine in the States. He runs a tutorial site where people subscribe to learn all kinds of things, from quick guitar lessons to practical skills. Together, we’re going to highlight an entire section dedicated to classic Guatemalan cooking. I’m planning to work with some of the amazing local women here, filming them as they teach how to make traditional meals. It’s going to be a fantastic opportunity to...

 Today, I had the honor of visiting Moniqua’s house in Jocotenango, where we finished preparing bags of food for five local families in desperate need. Each of these families has been facing incredibly difficult circumstances. One woman shared with me that her son hadn’t eaten in three days, but because of our efforts, she now has enough food to feed him for a week. The gratitude and emotions that filled the room were overwhelming. I was called an "angel" several times today, which touched my heart deeply. In return, I received a beautiful handmade Guatemalan necklace, a symbol of the connection and appreciation shared between us. Today also marked another significant moment— I was given the Guatemalan name "Santiago de los Cabarreros," which I will carry with honor. We captured the essence of the day in photos and videos, which you can find on our social media pages. With five more bags to deliver, we are far from done. The work continues, and I am energized by the...

 Today was a day full of purpose and connection. We went to a local market and bought dry food—beans, rice, sugar, and salt—for ten families who are in need. It was a powerful experience to gather these essential items, knowing that they will make a real difference in the lives of those who receive them. Tomorrow, we will be delivering these bolsas de comida to the families, and we plan to record videos of them receiving the food. This isn’t just about giving; it’s about compartir —sharing a moment of hope and support with people who are going through tough times. I’m feeling a deep sense of alegría as we prepare for tomorrow. It’s incredible to think that something as simple as a bag of food can bring so much happiness and relief to a family. I’m excited to share these moments with all of you through the videos. I hope they inspire you to see the impact we can have when we come together to help others.

Today was a day full of meaningful experiences. I had the privilege of learning how to make tortillas by hand— tortillando —from an amazing woman who has mastered the art. It’s incredible to see the care and skill that goes into something so simple yet essential. There’s something special about connecting with others through their traditions and learning a bit of their craft. Tomorrow, I’ll be putting what I’ve learned into action in a different way. Along with some new friends, we’ll be preparing bags of dry food—beans, rice, sugar, and salt—to deliver to 10 families in need. This is more than just giving food; it’s about compartir —sharing something from the heart. I plan to make videos of the entire process, from packing the bags to delivering them. My goal is to show not just the need that exists but also the beneficios —the benefits—of coming together to help those who are less fortunate. It’s a small effort, but I believe it can make a big difference.

 The past few days have been transformative. I’ve connected with some truly amazing people here in Guatemala, all dedicated to making a positive impact on the world. Their passion for helping others has been inspiring, and I’m excited to be part of it. This evening, I’m meeting with the director of a local school. We’ll discuss potential ways to collaborate and support the community through education. Next week, I have a meeting with a local politician, which could open doors to even more opportunities to help. I’ve also met two incredible women who organize an annual toy drive. We’ve teamed up to identify 10 families in need, and together, we’ll create bags of food for them. Our planning session is set to wrap up on Wednesday, and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact we can make together. This journey continues to be challenging but incredibly rewarding. The connections I’m making here are deep, and I can’t wait to see where this path leads.

 Day 2 in Guatemala was all about finding parking in Antigua and connecting with people who could use my help. I say "need my help" because I’ve learned that my help comes with a cost. I met a man named José who works as a tour guide in Antigua and speaks several languages, including English and Spanish. We talked for a while, and he agreed to take me to his village, where many people are in need. We agreed to meet this morning at his corner, but when I arrived, he had a different attitude. He wanted me to enroll in Spanish classes before he would introduce me to the leaders of his pueblo. Today, I met with an instructor who will not only help me with the language barrier but will also guide me through the culture, food, and mannerisms of the country. I’ve enrolled in 20 hours of lessons—5 hours a day for the next 4 days. It’s exactly what I need to be understood by the locals and to understand exactly what they need. After I "graduate," they’re going to introduce m...

 I entered Guatemala through a very obsolete port at Playa Grande. The border crossing was dilapidated, with just two military guards stationed there. When they asked what I was doing, I handed them my card and probably came off a little too excited, exclaiming, "¡Por fin! A Guatemala!" I was partially delirious, throwing my hands around in excitement. I asked them if they needed anything, said I was there to help, and even asked if they needed help—in Spanish, of course. They just waved me through and said "Bien viaje," which basically means, "Get out of my face." The drive from there to Guatemala City was one of the most brutal and beautiful drives of my life. The mountains in this country are unforgiving. There are amazing people living on the sides of these mountains, climbing relentless miles while carrying five times their weight in sticks, corn for tortillas, clothes, water—you name it. They are incredible workers. Driving here requires constant vig...

 I had a rough day yesterday. Today was better. I started in Tabasco, Mexico, and made a commitment to reach Guatemala today, and I did. It was not without issues, however. About 100 kilometers from the border, the road dropped out from under the left side of the van in a huge puddle and turned to gravel with no notice. The van's journey almost ended there. I was going about 50 MPH and launched out of it onto two wheels, sliding into a deep ditch full of trees. Luckily, I grew up on gravel roads, and my Red Mesa driving skills kicked in. I didn’t slam on the brakes; I turned into the slide and got it back on four wheels. Then came the next one, which I was able to skirt a bit more, but I thought the front end was going to be ripped right off. It didn’t get ripped off, but it's a bit off-center now. My toolbox flew open, and my dry food bucket was hanging off the side. I didn’t take a picture of that one, but I did take pictures of some more down the road. The rest of the way wa...

 Today was brutal. I made it to Tabasco and managed to get a swim in the ocean, but it seems like everyone around here is annoyed with me. I got a ton of weird looks and scowls, and people were way less accommodating. I got pulled over again today, but I was able to get out of it for 400 pesos. I also paid another 2000 pesos in tolls. I am so ready to get out of this country and into Guatemala. Nobody has had a laundry service so far, and I have a ton of dirty, sweaty clothes. Tonight, I'm going to wash clothes in the shower and hang them all over the entire room. It's getting cooler as I move south, and I can't wait to get into the cool air in Guatemala. It’s going to be a long, hard drive tomorrow to get out of Mexico, but five days here is enough. I’m so glad the van is holding up. I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow. Wish me luck! Thanks.

 Day 4 started with an amazing beach run and ocean swim. I ran down the beach for about half a kilometer and then swam back. Tomorrow, I’ll do the opposite because it’s really hard to swim when you’re out of breath. It really started my day well though. I had breakfast at a local restaurant and snagged the last large table. I told the owner it was fine if anyone wanted to share it with me. An entire family joined me, and we ate together and chatted for over an hour. It was really special. The rest of the day was spent fighting traffic jams, construction, and paying so many tolls. I’m saving all the stubs and will take a picture of them all when I get out of this country—it's literally highway robbery. I found a cool hotel for the night on the beach for $45. At the pool, I met a guy who used to live in KC. He hit a security guard at a casino and got deported but speaks perfect English. He told me all about his encounter with the cartel. As I suspected, they kidnapped him for money a...

 I started in a small fishing town on the coast and made it to Tampico. I'll be posting videos of the Monarch Butterfly migration, mostly from my windshield. Driving on the two-lane highways here feels like a scene from Planes, Trains and Automobiles , passing semis on the shoulder while oncoming traffic does the same. Pothole dodging videos are coming too. In Tampico, I finally jumped into the ocean after six days of brutal sun and no AC. The water was soothing and healing. I had three long swims today—it was marvelous! I've also begun the "Mexican Cleanse." With plenty of wet wipes and needing to loose a few pounds, I'm ready for it!

 Wow! What a day. Started out missing a turn and pulled a U turn at obviously a very popular place to U turn illegally and there were cops just sitting there waiting for me. This is how the racquet goes now... Fist they point out what you did, then tell you they are going to have to pull your license plate until you pay the fine, then tell you that you can't pay for 24 hours and it has to be at their offices. So, find a place to stay there in town till the next day. At that point, you start bribing and you are just about ready to do anything and they tell you 2800 and we'll all forget it ever happened. Luckily, huh, I had pulled 4000 for all the polls and was able to pay these crooks, but then I had to pull more cash. There are tools everywhere! And they are not organized and it's a may wait and a mess at each one, and you expect the roads to be nice. I got one for about 100 miles, otherwise potholes and roller coasters all the way to the Coast. Yes! I made it to the Coast ...

 Well, I dropped into Mexico and I'm headed to the Coast. I didn't know about all of the toll booths through here. I also didn't know there are some booths that only take Pesos, so I got to make 5 cars behind me back up while the security officer carefully backed me out of line and I got to drive 80 km back to Jimenez and try to find an ATM that would dispense cash from a US debit card. There was a convenience store right there where they turned me around, but of course no ATM and they could not do cash back from a US card. I drive back, I found an ATM that worked, so I'm peso heavy now. Trying to make sure that doesn't happen again.  I'm headed to Monterey tomorrow and then the ocean!