Jason,

Your time frame really sounds like you should join us at Caravana.  We will be
leaving in September.  The plan is to ship the vans to Venezuela, drive south to
Manaus, Brazil, load the vans on a ferry or barges to travel down to the mouth
of the Amazon, south to Rio and onward to the rest of South America, returning
via Panama and through Central America.

Join the caravana list.  If nothing else, you'll get the information we have.

Incidentally, coyote is organizing this.

Jeanne
'87 Syncro Westy

----- Original Message -----
From: Jason Willenbrock <pooncerelli@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2000 3:52 PM
Subject: driving to rio (little vanagon content)

> hello all,
> i have an opportunity to possibly go cook in rio de janeiro as an extern
> through my culinary school. if i did this i would most definetely drive my
> westy.  anyways, before i am set on doing this i was wondering if any
> listees have ever driven their vans, or any vehicle for that matter, to
> brazil, or close to it (ie: costa rica, panama etc..)?  by this summer my 82
> westy should be up to par and ready for a trip like this. it would be a
> westy experience of a lifetime, let alone being able to work in rio for a
> while.  so if anyone has any knowledge that they could pass on like road
> conditions, dealing with border patrols and officials, regulations on
> bringing my dog, what to bring in my van that i may not be able to get down
> there, good surf spots along the way, local bars, and most importantly, how
> to speak portuguese. any thoughts, inputs or ideas would be greatly
> appreciated. the time frame i am looking at would be either this summer to
> next winter or next winter to the following summer. opportunity of a
> lifetime and i am very stoked. but i need knowledge before i commit to
> anything. thanks in advance for your wisdom and humor.
> jason
> 82 westy
> 90 gl
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