Swollen Right Tonsil And It's Hard To Swallow

Merry Christmas

Robert and I wish the team Stohlquist (slightly belated) Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Chile the first: in Puta-Mobil Pucón

car purchase in a foreign Country? Sure, that's not so simple. Finally, there are other rules and regulations than at home. Nevertheless, we wanted to acquire for a long time in Chile not rent a car at exorbitant prices, but their own vehicle and sell it again after the 3 months to the highest bidder.

really grateful, therefore, were Anne and I that flew Maxi Siech, our new team member for Chile, already 5 days before our departure from Mexico to Santiago, came to look around with his Chilean friend Luis to used cars. The decision was in favor of a higher down Nissan pick-up trucks in fire-red from - Year 1988, which we regret later should. When Anne and I had arrived in Santiago, which are paid only. In cash, of course - with thick bundles of Chilean pesos.

As a happy car owner that we were now we made our course immediately for a test drive, threw canoes and baggage on the truck and chugged go to the Río Maipo and Yeso in the Southeast Santiago. But the ride was sobering, but soon showed the first problems of our companions. was especially with the engine at steeper climbs a bit too weak for the heavy weight of the car and our luggage. In addition, overheated the motor oil due to insufficient air supply after 5 minutes of ascent. So head back to Santiago, where the car of Miguel, a friendly mechanic, was first pimped all around: oil changes, spark plugs, air filter, circuit board, headlights, power steering and more air to the engine compartment and cooling water. Solz our upgrade we named the car "Puta-mobile", a name that should come true soon.

The fourth and final team member for the next few weeks in Chile, arrived around midnight Rodegro Alex at the airport. This had full charge Already brought bad luck: Snow chaos on departure in Dusseldorf, air traffic controllers strike in Madrid and lost, luggage in Santiago. In the hope that this airline would immediately redirect, we went anyway on the way south. Next stop: Rio Claro.

paves In a scary steep and narrow gorge, the Claro its way through black volcanic rock and pouring over countless slides and waterfalls, to the sections "Veintidos Saltos," " Entre somersaults "and" Siete Tazas distribute. For a whole year due to a Erdbeebens drained, the Río Claro recently led water again and gave us a paddle in a class of highlight. The icing on the cake here was the corkscrew in Entre Saltos, where water shoots into a fast-paced first bobsled run at a 180 degree turn and then opens into an 8-meter event. The key: you can not see what is taking the curve to appear, do not save or portage. Anyone who has ever ventured into it, for which there is only the blind bull by the horns. beat

While the Claro our paddlers had heart, he had the heart to beat our cars less. More precisely, triggered by the bumpy ride over stony Dirtroads the screw of the engine mount and the engine of our vehicle slipped down to the front axle. Unfortunately was just Chilean holiday. We spent two whole days to wait. The tow truck to the mechanic and of Ali's luggage that the airline had sent after repeated vehement call just now. Tired of waiting and dozing Anne Maxi motionless for hours in a deck chair on the road and finally awoke as two bright red tomatoes).

excellent spirits because now everything seemed back on track, we headed to the river mouth. Despite heavy rain the day before but there was low water and paddling it was first anything. But the car suddenly began to strike on the highway. With great difficulty we managed to exit at once for hours waiting for the mechanic. This detected only in the evening that the fuel supply was contaminated at the engine, they blew free, and wished us a good trip. But this did not last long. After less than 100 km the car started to stutter again. We parked on the hard shoulder and called the next tow. Slowly, the car was not fun.

was past midnight when we arrived at our next mechanic in Parral. With his Daihatsu mini, in which his portly figure itself was hardly any room, he dragged our huge pick-up to his workshop. After a short night we spent in his front yard, was back in an all-around repair: clean fuel supply, fuel filter, replace exhaust screw tinker, adjust again to power steering and board. We had our car sick, gave up the rest of the way the rivers to the south lined and headed straight on to Pucón.

Thus the difficulty

trip to Pucón was already on our arrival it became clear that it was worth much simplified. Imagine an incredibly beautiful place, across lush green meadows and forests, rushing rivers full of white water, surrounded by snow-covered volcanoes and deep blue lakes. Use warm weather, sunshine almost every day. Amidst all of a small town. Gerde large enough for outdoor shop, Internet cafe, Hardware and a bunch of restaurants and bars. But so small that you can march on foot in a few minutes from one edge to another. And everywhere kayakers - old and new friends. The reason: there are in the vicinity so much good white water, that in the 2-3 weeks in which prevail here, good water levels, not everything can abpaddeln, which offers potential to Pucón. In Come

we are in a 75 hectare property about 20 minutes outside of the river near Pucón Trancura. Maxi over the last few years in the Crazy Eddy and the work area 47 as raft guide. Meanwhile, co-owner and manager Hansi Neuner had allowed him to stay during our time in Pucón at his home. To get there we first had a steep uphill Dirtroad drive through his property, past horses a small herd of cows and through dense forest until we reached the top of a broad meadow, which lies just across the Lake Villarrica and Volcán Villarrica.

In Chile, there are 2000 volcanoes, many still partially active. Villa Rica is 2800m high and in the 70 years erupted last time. But the day he smokes a bit and at night you can see a soft glow at its peak.

The next two weeks we spent so in Pucón, the road every day on new items and sections. In particular, the Wasserfallruns Palguin of the river, Llancahue, Nevado and Coilaco include here the most beautiful white water out there.

Probably the biggest highlight of our stay put but the descent of the 23-meter drops at the Middle Palguin dar. After the rocky start to a mushroom Tumpf issue here directly above the slanted drip line and down into a large pool. Both Alex, Max and I decided to throw the paddle before the impact so as not to risk any broken material.

was

Off material for it again in a car. The water pump was completely at the end and had to be replaced. In addition, our new grinding noises in the area fell on the transmission. We did not hesitate long and went in search of a car. The frustration with the pick-up was now so great that we even before the expensive rates of the Chilean auto lenders no longer shrink. Before leaving Pucón we wanted but also sell off our vehicle. But even before a buyer could be found was the steering and limp Puta-Mobil had a second time at our expense to the mechanic. We were at the swearing uncontrollably. Puta madre!

When the car finally deal in the bag was and the part to be coming to an end and Alex had to go back to work and girlfriend. Anne, Max and I said goodbye warmly of him before he boarded the night bus north to Santiago.

But it is also for us three it now time to break camp. The water levels have dropped to Pucón and other rivers in southern Chile and Argentina are waiting for us. For two months we have left. Patagonia here we come!

Report Seppi straw Meier
Images: Seppi straw Meier, Maxi Siech

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Viva Mexico!

It's been two hours dark when at last the first sign to Tlapacoyan appears on the roadside. And once again our car is shaken of a mighty bump that appears at the last moment in the beam. Pirmin loud stop tinkering and cursing out the controls for the internal ventilation fallen back into the ailing holder. Looking out the window whiz dozens of street stalls full of food past us. We descry mountains of bananas and mandarins, the fire grilled chicken tacos and, of course, tortillas and enchiladas. Then, finally, fully after 5 long hours on bad roads with potholes, we get the next goal of our trip: the Aventurec camp in western Mexico.

accumulate, especially in the U.S. American paddle scene for several years, reports and images of beautiful rivers in Mexico. Especially in the October to December, the promise of running water levels of the summer rainy season perfect conditions for white water activities in all levels and abilities falls to choose our next stopover is not difficult. Together with Mike Dawson and Mariann Seath, Anne and I fly right out of the Green Race from Charlotte to Mexico City where we meet Mike's brother James, the Hort Norwegian Benji and Pirmin, a young paddler from Schliersee. Seven of us leave for the Rio Alseseca in the state of Veracruz, in search of the finest white water in the region.

Although it is known, the classic "Road Side Section of the Alseseca for almost 20 years and bepaddelt, so were less accessible and steeper sections only in the recent past discovered. Especially local hero Rafael Ortiz and friends have done a great job at the Alseseca the last secrets to elicit (see on the video Hotel Charly II). The fruits of this exploration expedition are world-class whitewater with names wi Big Banana, Truchas or 7 Sisters. But no matter which part of the Alseseca one dares, they all have one thing in common: waterfalls, slides and stages, and even local vending. Of which are small, some large, usually completely clean and always in connection with large pool - this allows paddlers heart beat faster.

is given that the Alseseca mostly buried deep in a picturesque gorge and surrounded by dense rain forest looking his way. Tropical birds circling over our heads here, vines hanging down into water and sugar cane plantations, cypress, banana and mandarin trees line the shore at the exit.

also has used the river water temperature and the long dress really only protect from itching causing plants while visiting or portages in the thicket. Only the poor water quality spoils the fun a little and wait after each kayak trip, the obligatory bottle of tequila for disinfection at Austieg stomach.

Paddling In the first 10 days we not only on the Alseseca, but we also explore a tributary called Filo Bobos. On its lower part, two antique cities of the Maya ruins are located right on the banks, which were discovered in the 80s by a group of American Rafter.

Every night we pull back the growling stomachs to Tlapacoyan, where we try out a small roadside restaurant after another, always looking for the best tacos in town. Slept in Aventurec is on the outskirts, a paddler-friendly campsite, restaurant and Raftunternehmen in one.

our daily kayak trips have some means in itself. The Alseseca requires us numerous broken paddle, several innocent swimmers and a broken nose. On the way to the river we'll get you the moody Mexican police do and our car finally bows to the hardships and must be replaced with a newer model.

is suddenly sunshine a week and a half after torrential rain weather. We decide to let the flood leading to Alseseca temporarily behind us to get to know other areas in Mexico. In the region of San Luis Potosi in the north, we explore the crystal clear cascades of the Rio Valles and the Minas Viejas. At the Coasta Esmeralda on the Gulf of Mexico, we spend a day at the beach and swimming pool.

For the remaining 3 days it takes us back to Tlapacoyan. And have it in them. For the knifflichsten Let've saved for the finale grande:

the Bukaki Rapid, a combination of a slide with thick impact cushioning, a declining level and 7 feet in the main case.

the San Pedro Waterfall - Park and Huck, a 15-meter level on the Rio Jalacingo.

Tomata The Falls - a 23 meter waterfall, with potential for postcards.

stoked by these highlights and delights of Mexico as a haven for white water paddler, we make ourselves once again to the pack case. While it back to the snowy Pirmin Germany's Anne and I have for 3 months prior to Chile and Argentina us. And so we fill our boats and bags in the car and start the return journey to Mexico City. 5 hours on bumpy roads with potholes now lie before us. Pirmin grins and shrugs. Ridiculous, but considering that it experiences are behind us.