Ecuador problems soon?
 

I see that Equador is getting a new leader who sympathizes greatly with the Venezuela way of doing things. That means more anti-USA attitudes there.

Anyone there now who can tell if anything is changing yet?

So, shipping a bike south from Panama means passing over Venezuela, Columbia, and Equador now.

Is that paranoid? Geez, I hope so.

Am in Equador now & its very laid back, no worries here even for Americans. They've had more changes of government in the last ten years than the Italians.

Colombia is a lot calmer these days & was told recently that Mexico has more kidnappings.

Dont worry about it, leave your politics at home & travel with an open mind.

Most of this stuff doesn´t filter down to the tourist on the street. I spent a couple weeks iin Ecuador this fall and wouldn´t hesitate to go back. If you owned a business or property there, you might have cause to worry.

Most of the animosity we see is leveled at the US Govt. and its policies in Latin America, not individual Americans. In that way we, as travellers are really the true ambassadors for our country. I always try to remember that.
And I remind people I meet that I am not a govt. official, just a citizen and don't nescessarily agree with that govt. policies. (God knows, especially now)

Make the trip, You'll do just fine.
 

Just make the trip. If you don't want to be talked out of it, don't advertise it. Just do it. Regarding the "Bags" Mollydog referred to are known in the "Biz" as "Handshake" bags. I have delivered millions of them all over the world the past 25 years or so. World Food program, USAID, Care, Unicef, Feed the Children, World Vision, Catholic charities to name a few off the top of my head. They used to be made of linen and became a fashion statement in Argentina and Brazil where they were made into shirts,pants, dresses and handbags. In desert countries, I've seen the plastic weave bags filled with sand and made into houses. If you fold and roll them up, they make great sun hats. I've been in houses in West Africa and Indonesia wallpapered with the "Bags". In Tomasina, Madagascar, a local bar has its barstools covered with the "Bags". In Port Sudan, a taxicab seats were "you guessed it". An average shipload of say 30,000 metric tons of "Wheat" or "Sorghum" will require approximately 700,000 "Bags". Multiply that by thousands upon thousands of shiploads of "relief" cargos the past forty years or so,and as George Bush might say "Hell, there must be at least a Brazilian bags out there somewhere!" The "Bags" are truly as Iconic as Jeans. And regarding Israels neighbors, I have recently brought the "Bags" to Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt. They have been on the receiving end for many years. Just for your information. Best, Captain Smitty

Why miss Colombia? Uribe has ensured that the country is more closely politically aligned with the US than ever.

I wasn't thinking of passing Columbia per se, but flying the bike further to Peru or Brazil would mean more $$$ if Columbia were to be unacceptable for any reason. I just didn't express myself well, sorry.

I had thought previously to ship the bike south to either Venezuela or Columbia, then on the return trip north, ship the bike out of the other country back to Panama. That would help make a more efficient round trip around the continent.

Now, I fear Venezuela is causing Americans too much trouble at the moment, and some of those higher politics are drifting down to individuals' experiences.

I'm not very worried, despite how it might seem in my post, but I am curious about the growing anti-US trend in SA. I know that I am more responsible for my experience wherever I go than politicians are responsible for my experience.

I was just wondering--perhaps too soon to tell, anyway.

My big ride is still in the future, so I'll keep watching and reading.

Thanks, all.

Don,t worry about it
 

Well mate being Scottish and having lived in Ecuador for 11 years I,m not happy at all about a communist half-wit running the country,in fact I,m f,ing pissed off as it,s my future in play,but in reality as usual nothing will happen and the shit will stay the same as usual and as for gringo tourists it,ll make no difference at all so don,t worry about it come on down have a good time,Oh and visit my brewpub and help out a small business threatened by the commies!!!

There is a spectre haunting Latin America...
 

I've been promised the managers' job after the pub's been expropiated by my 'half-witted commie' comrades. Enjoy life in the salt mines, Bert.

I swear the Media blows things so out of porportion just to try and scare my wife in to not making our trip!!LOL! Not gonna happen!

Equator
 

I was there couple month ago doing a photo shoot for the National Rally and after talking to tons of local (official and not )I can say that traveller are welcome everywhere , be yourself and respectuous of others and all doors will open for you .

Hendi

www.HendiKaf.com