I put the van in park in front of Phil Berrigan House. It was 2 am, but the street lights made it feel like day. I stepped out of the van while simultaneously thanking God for our safe arrival back in Des Moines. The trip was long; time seemed to drag on in the unforgettable maroon upholstery ship, I was happy to say my last goodbye. A new name would soon be its title.
The trip started with little affair, and also not that much planning, on our part at least.
Richard arrived in Des Moines after a grueling three days of van repair in Omaha.
A 2005 Chevrolet Cargo Van would be our home for the next couple days, so we thought.
Richard arrived in Des Moines after a grueling three days of van repair in Omaha.
A 2005 Chevrolet Cargo Van would be our home for the next couple days, so we thought.
Southern Iowa received a late November snow storm, but the roads were cleared.
Kansas City was congested by rush hour traffic. Southern Oklahoma hills tested the
engines strength, and the bright casinos displayed the van’s rear wheel quarter panel
rust. Ryna-Ria took comfortable naps in the blacked out cargo space.
Jim, a retired professor welcomed us in San Antonio. San Antonio Ethiopian food
filled our bellies,and a comfortable bed prepared us for the next leg. Texas is the
second biggest state in the U.S., my bones felt it. A glimpse of the Houston Catholic
Worker gave us awareness of the Catholic Worker spectrum. Palm trees greeted
us in Brownsville, TX; an unintentional four day pit stop ensued. Border patrol rejected
our too-heavy-and-no-back-windows van. We felt the failure. Richard is our guide.
Ryna-Ria spots a 1980s GMC conversion van in the parking lot of a big box store.
Kansas City was congested by rush hour traffic. Southern Oklahoma hills tested the
engines strength, and the bright casinos displayed the van’s rear wheel quarter panel
rust. Ryna-Ria took comfortable naps in the blacked out cargo space.
Jim, a retired professor welcomed us in San Antonio. San Antonio Ethiopian food
filled our bellies,and a comfortable bed prepared us for the next leg. Texas is the
second biggest state in the U.S., my bones felt it. A glimpse of the Houston Catholic
Worker gave us awareness of the Catholic Worker spectrum. Palm trees greeted
us in Brownsville, TX; an unintentional four day pit stop ensued. Border patrol rejected
our too-heavy-and-no-back-windows van. We felt the failure. Richard is our guide.
Ryna-Ria spots a 1980s GMC conversion van in the parking lot of a big box store.
One and half days later we are in Mexico, happy enough. The cores of old volcanoes
dot the dusty scenery, what an adventure.
dot the dusty scenery, what an adventure.
Pothole after pothole causing a shower of rusty metal to fall from the van’s interior
upon my bare feet. Orange groves fill my lungs with their pungent fragrance.
The port city of Tampico displays a different side of Mexico, dry, dusty, grimy,
and malodorous. I am sure an oasis exists, there are always oases.
upon my bare feet. Orange groves fill my lungs with their pungent fragrance.
The port city of Tampico displays a different side of Mexico, dry, dusty, grimy,
and malodorous. I am sure an oasis exists, there are always oases.
Vera Cruz and then an 8 hour traffic jam puts a damper on our day, but not
before a flat tire can seal it. Tuxtla Gutiérrez is a 70º difference from Iowa.
San Cristobal de Las Casas welcomes us with mild weather, oak and pine trees in
every direction.
before a flat tire can seal it. Tuxtla Gutiérrez is a 70º difference from Iowa.
San Cristobal de Las Casas welcomes us with mild weather, oak and pine trees in
every direction.
Casa de Camillo Torres preserves its beauty as it ages. Avocados, limes,
vegetables, and dogs greet us at the gate. There is a fire burning inside,
and a freshly cooked meal awaits us. Araceli is a wonderful chef, and
much more. Three days passed and the road called us back.
vegetables, and dogs greet us at the gate. There is a fire burning inside,
and a freshly cooked meal awaits us. Araceli is a wonderful chef, and
much more. Three days passed and the road called us back.
A bribe was paid and a beach was walked on the journey home.
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