Page Title

Article #1 - CENTRAL AMERICA: You Can Do It!
by Jim Jaillet - Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved

STICK WITH ME AND I PROMISE YOU A MOST UNIQUE LIFE EXPERIENCE!

You know you want to go to Central America or you wouldn't be reading this article! Consider
your two choices: 1) go in person, or 2) go as an armchair adventurer. Either way, you get to
go! Let's assume you desire to go in person. In this and the articles to follow, I will reveal
tips, tricks and techniques that will greatly enhance your trip. You will discover insider
secrets that I learned the hard way. Scarce and non-existent best describe the availability
of dependable RVing information when I took my trip. But lucky you, you found my Central
America article series! I should also identify what this CENTRAL AMERICA ARTICLE
SERIES will not do for you. In general it will not offer information readily found in guidebooks
and on the Internet, but instead will present observations from my personal perspective
obtained from my travels. My desire to ease your journey through the difficult aspects and to
enhance your experiences in the more pleasant areas of daily RVing life in Mexico and Central
America prompted me to write this series of articles. The primary purpose of these articles
revolves around giving you an honest account of what you may expect to experience when you
decide to take your RV into Central America. Assuming you desire to experience Central
America, what keeps you from going? I know the most probable reason because I owned it
myself for many years: FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN!

This FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN results from the many past negative stories from that area.
Let's face it, many folks today take their RV's and wander around in Mexico and go no
further. Why not? I just explained the reason from my perspective, the old FEAR OF THE
UNKNOWN! Our natural protective instinct kicks in by design and the tendency to shy away
from something we believe may hurt us physically becomes our foremost priority. Hence, non-
action results. But a long time ago I learned that by educating myself, I overcame FEAR OF
THE UNKNOWN.

I consider "THE SWEETEST FRUIT IS AT THE END OF THE BRANCH!" as a favorite adage
of mine and I interpret to mean "To experience some of life's greatest offerings, you must
embrace the unknown and take risks." I just love old sayings because they speak the learned
truths of wisdom. "FOOLS RUSH IN!" applies in this context. But why should you take
unnecessary risks? Discover truth from this wisdom. Through education you can protect
yourself, overcome the FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN, and taste some of the sweetest fruits of
life!

Here is my story:

I created the curiosity/interest to go to Central America by being an avid reader of
history.
Despite this interest, for many years I owned and suffered from FEAR OF THE
UNKNOWN!
During the years I also heard conflicting negative/positive stories which contributed to
my fear.
After several positive stories of other people's personal travels to the Central America
region, I could no longer substantiate the conflict of my negative fears and I made the
decision to go!
My trip Co-Planner and I spent one full year researching everything worthwhile we could
find.
I took the "leap of faith"! I journeyed and returned alive, rich with countless cultural
experiences!

So, in a nutshell, my creation of this CENTRAL AMERICA SERIES fulfills my goal to inspire
people to go, if not in person, at least vicariously as an armchair adventurer.

In forthcoming articles I will discuss such topics as my negative and positive impressions of
each country, planning, travel companions, safety, security, information sources, vehicle
preparations, roads, money exchanging, food, water, border crossings, fresh/gray/black
water tanks, banditos, mordidas (bribes), insurance, health issues, languages, documents,
towed vehicles, pets, etc.........

Central America consists of the countries of Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras,
Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Square mileage-wise, they will fit into the State of Texas,
yet remain quite different despite being relatively close to one another. They offer a most
unique mixture of scenery, climates, peoples, languages, food, and music.

I strongly urge you to educate yourself and overcome your FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN.
Don't miss the next installment "The Countries: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!" in which I'll
discuss my positive and negative impressions resulting from my visit. Stay tuned and
remember my promise at the beginning of this article ............. YOU CAN DO IT!

                            Click Here To Go To Article 2
=====================================================================
Jim Jaillet is a full-time RVer, Adventurer and Author of PANAMA OR BUST - A 343 day
adventure in a motorhome! You can claim your copy of my book for only $19.95 here Click Here
For a Copy of My Book Please visit my new Panama or Bust Yahoo Group by Clicking Here. You
can view my Latest Activity Report in my Blog by Clicking Her.

I'd love to hear what you thought of this Article #1 - CENTRAL AMERICA: You Can Do It!
Please send your comments, questions, and ideas for upcoming articles to me at
jimj@panamaorbust.com.
=====================================================================
** Attn: Ezine Editors / Site Owners**
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your Ezine or on your site so long as you leave
all links in place, do not modify the content and include my resource box as listed above.
=====================================================================
Disclaimer: The author in no way can guarantee your safety in Central America. After all they
are Third World countries and not without danger or the possibility of death. You go at your
own risk. The author only suggests that with some planning, common sense and caution you may
minimize your potential dangers and fill your life with countless cultural experiences. :)
=====================================================================
                Click Here To Go To Article 2