Paula & Jeremy
Names and ages
Jeremy (44) and Paula (39)
Hometowns
Jeremy is from England, but spend much of his childhood living in Brussels. Paula is from Scotland.
We lived in London for 14 years before hitting the road.
When did you start your travels?
September 2011
Reason for taking this trip
We've always loved to travel, fitting in as many trips as possible around work, and always said one day we'd do the 'big one' and take off without the usual time restrictions. Spending more time together, learning a new language, having a rest, seeing more of the world, giving ourselves a new challenge - these are among the main reasons for doing this journey.
Why did you decide to drive?
All our previous travels have been by public transport, which we loved. But this time we wanted to taste the freedom of setting our own timetable, of being able to reach the trickier places and of being self-contained with our bed, cooker and everything we need in the back of the van.
What type of car are you driving?
A 1997 VW Eurovan camper, converted by Winnebago.
Did you make any modifications to your car?
Yes. Once we got to La Paz, in Baja California, we had the suspension raised and added bigger all-terrain tyres. Low clearance had already proved to be a problem, and our propane tank guard was scraping off Mexican topes (speed bumps), deep potholes, drop-offs and the like. We also are carrying a selection of tools and spare parts.
How did you save up or finance your trip?
We worked like dogs for years - 60 hour weeks, night shifts, weekends etc in good jobs (which we loved). We pretty much saved the money we would have otherwise spent on buying and maintaining a house and car, or collecting fancy gadgets and designer clothes. We are both journalists and plan to do some freelance work along the way.
How long do you plan on travelling?
The original plan was for two years...but as long as it takes or as long as we can afford it.
Where do you plan on driving?
We started in Los Angeles and crossed in to Mexico, drove down the Baja Peninsula and took a ferry across to the mainland. After three months in Mexico we arrived in Guatemala for a month of Spanish school. After Guatemala the plan is to pass through every other country in Central America and travel down to Argentina via Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Paraguay… if we're still solvent and enjoying van life we'll head up via Uraguay to Brazil for the 2014 football (soccer) World Cup.
What were your family’s and friends’ reactions when you told them about your trip before you left?
Very supportive, excited, worried, maybe a little sad that we'd be away for so long. Some said they were envious. No one was really surprised, although we did get a few questions about whether it was wise to leave our jobs (and pension plans) at the peaks of our working lives. Skype has helped reassure them we're not wracked with regrets, starving, ill or in prison.
Did you speak Spanish before you left your home country?
Just a few words… but we did some learning via a CD course in the first few months on the road and we are now and studying at Spanish school in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
Do you have a blog or a website describing your trip? If so, what is its address?
www.seventeenbysix.wordpress.com
