article3planning

Article #3 - PLANNING:
Plan Your Verk and Verk Your Plan!

by Jim Jaillet - Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved

"PLAN YOUR VERK AND VERK YOUR PLAN!" More than 50 years ago, on the first
day of my 6th grade Manual Training Woodworking Class, my teacher, Mr. Gross,
proclaimed these words of wisdom in his very heavy Jewish accent. It took me a
few minutes to figure out he meant "Plan your work and work your plan!" I can
already hear you screaming, "But, I like spontaneity!" Well, of course you do, and so
do I. Give me a chance to explain and you will see what I mean.

Before you begin the development of your plan, these two baseline ground rules will
help ensure YOUR SAFETY:

Stay away from the larger cities, and
Stay away from the extreme remote areas.

These places are where you will likely encounter the most danger.

Now, just some of the basic questions to consider before heading to Central
America:

What...

countries do I wish to visit?
is my time constraint?
do I wish to see along the way?
kind of experiences do I wish to explore?
do I need to do in the way of vehicle preparations?
about the health considerations?
about insurance, including vehicle, medical and emergency evacuation?
if I get really sick and must leave my RV behind, how do I get it home?
documents will I need?
do I need to know about safety and security for both my person and my RV?
do I need to know about border crossings?
kind of language skills will I need?
about all the adverse stories I hear concerning the banditos/police and
mordidas (bribes)?
about communicating back to the United States?
about the different currency issues?
do I need to know regarding the food and water issues?
is the availability of gasoline, diesel and propane?
if I actually get robbed?

How...

many rigs/travel companions should I invite? (You will find this question the
most difficult.)
do I find information sources?
do I find out about road conditions?
much money do I bring?
much will it cost me each month?
do I find out what kind of weather I might encounter?
much and kinds of clothing should I bring along?
do I get my mail?
can I minimize the possibility of being robbed?

Can...

I take my towed vehicle with me?
I bring my pet along?

STILL THINK YOU DO NOT NEED TO PLAN? The following is a true story. In
1966, or thereabouts, my job involved building nuclear power plants. At the time, I
lived in Southeastern Connecticut and the Company Headquarters were in New York
City. Right after New Year's Day the boss requested I come to headquarters for
consultation regarding the job. A co-worker, who had a reputation for drinking,
needed to pass through New York City on his way to Texas simultaneous with my
scheduled trip. Since our routes coincided, we decided to ride together in his
automobile to New York City and he would proceed to Texas by himself to his new
job. To make a long story short, while on the drive to New York City I asked about
his planned route to Texas. He told me he didn't know what route he intended to
take and, as a matter of fact, he didn't even have a map! When I inquired how he
thought he might find his way to Texas, he proclaimed that he would simply follow
the afternoon sun which settles in the Southwest! Can you believe it?

The ending of this story belongs in the unsolved files. HE DISAPPEARED, NEVER
MADE IT TO TEXAS, AND NOTHING WAS EVER HEARD FROM HIM AGAIN!
TRUE STORY! I tell you this story because I do not want you to disappear and
never be heard from again! So, how do you avoid a similar tragic fate? Remember
my opening words at the beginning of this article? PLAN YOUR VERK AND VERK
YOUR PLAN!

The forthcoming articles will provide the answers to the questions that I posed
above. Right now, my message states, "Use your brain and think!" If you do this,
you can go to Central America and return safe, rich with countless cultural
experiences! Don't miss the next installment "TRAVEL COMPANIONS: Do You
Need Them?" in which I'll discuss the considerations in answering the most difficult
of all the questions. Stay tuned and remember my promise at the beginning of
Article #1........................................... YOU CAN DO IT!
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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 at panamaorbust.com. Please visit my new Panama or Bust Yahoo Group at
groups.yahoo.com/group/panamaorbust. You can view my Latest Activity Report in
my Blog at 360.yahoo.com/jimjrver.

I'd love to hear what you thought of this Article #3, PLANNING: Plan your Verk
and Verk your plan! Please send your comments, questions, and ideas for upcoming
articles to me at jimj@panamaorbust.com.
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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 is only suggesting that with some
planning, common sense and caution you may minimize your potential dangers and be
rewarded with countless cultural experiences. :)
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