Nearly a year
and a half ago, the García Muñoz family ---
composed of Charly (45), Corina (43), Ginger (15), Glenda (13),
and Gretel (12) --- sold their belongings, packed only what they
considered essential, and left their hometown of Mendoza,
Argentina, to journey north. They expect their final destination
to be Mexico, the United States, or Canada. What's truly amazing
about their voyage, though, is that they are making the entire
trip by bicycle. The García Muñozes are currently
enjoying Panama --- the halfway point of their tour --- while
they await a sign from God that will tell them when it's time to
push on. I first learned about their extraordinary odyssey in an
article that appeared in La Prensa. I thank them for agreeing to
join my wife and me for dinner, as well as for answering my
questions afterwards. For the interview --- which was conducted
in Spanish --- I requested that they confer among themselves
before responding, and then provide a single family answer. If
you want to learn more about their journey-or if you wish to
contact them via email, and they very much enjoy hearing from
anyone interested in their endeavor --- you can write to them at
locosenbici@yahoo.com Within a couple of weeks the García-
Muñozes will have their own website (in Spanish) where
you can remain abreast of their adventures as they head
north.
Sirias: Why
did you leave Argentina?
García Muñoz Family: We had to leave
because of the economic crisis. The adults were unemployed and,
as things stood, a university education for the girls had
definitely moved far beyond our grasp. So, we prayed to God for
guidance, and through a series of signs He answered: He told us
to head north --- on our bicycles.
Sirias: When
did your journey begin?
García Muñoz Family: January 24, 2002.
That day we were also celebrating Corina's (the mother's)
birthday.
Sirias: What
was the most difficult thing to leave behind?
García Muñoz Family: We don't miss any
of the material things, really. But we do miss our country, our
relatives, our friends, our customs, and our culture. Still, we
are making up for that by having what will be, without doubt,
the greatest adventure of our lives.
Sirias: So
far, which has been your favorite country?
García Muñoz Family: Ecuador! (They
answered this without conferring, and in one unanimous
shout).
Sirias: And
your favorite city?
García Muñoz Family: Guayaquil!
(Again, shouted immediately as one).
Sirias: What
was so special about your experience in Ecuador, and Guayaquil
in particular?
García Muñoz Family: The people of
Ecuador received us with open arms. They're very, very warm. In
Guayaquil, especially, many people had heard about our journey
on the radio, the television, or had read about us in the Quito
newspapers. By the time we arrived in Guayaquil it seemed that
everyone had come out to greet us as we road into the city. We
were received and treated like long lost relatives. We hated
leaving Guayaquil, but He told us to keep on going.
Nevertheless, that city will forever have a special place in our
hearts.
Sirias: Up to
now, what's your impression of Panamanians?
García Muñoz Family: Panamanians are
polite and very willing to help. Yet, we find that they keep
their distance from people they don't know well. It appears that
making friends doesn't come easily to Panamanians.
Sirias: What
has been your favorite thing about Panama?
García Muñoz Family: Two things: the
Canal and the fabulous jungle along the route we took when we
rode from the Caribbean coast to the Pacific.
Sirias: When
you're traveling between cities, how do you decide where to stop?
García Muñoz Family: We try to stop
every afternoon at four o'clock. At that time we will knock on
the door of the nearest house and ask for the owners' permission
to camp in their yard. Up to now no one has refused our
request.
Sirias: When
you're riding along deserted roads, what do you do for fun?
García Muñoz Family: We sing. We tell
jokes. Also, when we pass people we try to make up their
stories, imagining what their lives are like. And Corina (the
mother), during the quieter moments, prays to God so that He may
protect us.
Sirias: What
has been your most humbling experience?
García Muñoz Family: Crossing the
desert of Atacama, in the north of Chile. It's 1,500 kilometers
of unforgettably beautiful and sometimes stark scenery. We were
blessed to cross the part known as the Desierto Florido while it
was in full bloom. It is a rare occurrence that lasts for only a
few hours every year, so very few people on this planet have
seen it.
Sirias: What
has been your most frightening experience?
García Muñoz Family: Two episodes
stand out in our minds. First, when we were leaving Lima, Peru,
a young man tried to rob Ginger (the eldest daughter). He ran
alongside her and stuck his hand in her purse. Fortunately, he
didn't take a thing, but the incident was still frightening. The
second most worrisome experience took place the entire time we
traveled through Colombia. Because of the war there's an
overwhelming sense of insecurity. Guns everywhere, and often
pointed at us. This is sad because Colombians are wonderful
people and the country is positively beautiful.
Sirias: What
has been your most pleasant surprise?
García Muñoz Family: Two things have
been wonderful surprises. One was the warmth and generosity of
the people of Ecuador. Internationally, they are not known for
being friendly, but now we believe everyone can learn a lot from
Ecuadorians. The second thing to surprise us completely happened
when we crossed the border between Peru and Ecuador --- the Peru
side was a desert, but as soon as we crossed the bridge into
Ecuador we found ourselves in the middle of a lush rainforest.
That was absolutely incredible.
Sirias:
What's the greatest lesson you've learned up to this point?
García Muñoz Family: The importance of
being tolerant toward others. People have to learn to accept one
another, to live in harmony.
Sirias: Since
you have no idea of your final destination-whether it's Mexico,
the United States, or Canada --- how will you know when you've
arrived?
García Muñoz Family: God will tell us.
He told us to leave Argentina. He told us that He was leading us
to the Promised Land. We are only obeying His will. We have
placed all our faith in Him, and we know that He will not let us
down.
Sirias: When
you reach the end of your journey, do you plan to share the
stories you've accumulated?
García Muñoz Family: Yes. Corina keeps
a diary. She hopes to be a writer someday. We expect her first
book to be the account of our odyssey.
Sirias: What
parting words do you have for the people of Panama?
García Muñoz Family: Muchísimas
gracias. Thank you for everything you've done for us. And to our
Panamanian brothers and sisters, who, like us, are struggling
economically, we'd like to remind them that poverty does not
define a human being. In our travels we have learned that
poverty is a condition that afflicts many people on this
continent. But we have also learned that we are in control over
much of our destiny. The secret is to work hard to better our
selves, and to learn to live together, in unity, while at the
same time helping one another out in this greater journey called
life.
