Peter the Czech travels across Mexico, USA, Central America

peterxxl · Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 7:25 pm Post subject:

Of course I will post Smile

They have Internet in Mexico.

First: the story

I pretty much finished putting the other bus together 5 minutes before twelve. I bought really cheap one way flight from San Antonio to Mexico city where my 'girlfriend' lives. I had several reasons for this trip.

- I was running out of visa
- I was running out of money (Mexico is cheaper)
- I was spending all my time working on the bus
- both me and my gf have birthdays in May

So I just wanted to take a little break. I choose to fly because the engine is from the MexiPanel and it didn't run very good.

I put the engine in the new bus. But there were problems with clutch. The transmission that was in the new bus is with the old style clutch and throwout bearing and in the MexiPanel was new one. Probably from Mexican bug but with rgb axles.

And the new clutch was not working with the old throwout bearing. But luckily that guy who replaced the axle on the tranny had a little adapter that snaps on the new clutch and makes it work with the old bearing.

I also bought engine seal but I was missing all the tin at the rear of the engine (doghouse). But one day before my departure, Ric, the PO hooked me up. So I put everything together on May 7th and I left midland on May 8th I believe.

My flight was on May 11th from San Antonio. So I hit the road little bit sooner because I wanted some extra time to solve potential problems.

It's about 350 miles From Midland to San Antonio. I started having problems just few miles down the road. I hit the road around noon when was really hot outside as my friend Chris was trying to delay my departure Smile

)) I wanted to go early in the morning.

So after just 40 miles, the engine started to loose power. I pulled over and went to check what's happening. It was really really hot. I waited few minutes and started it again. I ran good for few miles and then the same thing. So I waited like 2 hours. Then I drove another 40-50 miles and waited another few hours. By the time I started it again, it was night so I could drive longer, but I was trying to not haul ass because the engine has weak spots from time to time even in the night.

To be continued....
_________________
Hi! My name is Petr and I wanna be your friend!
From Czech Republic, wandering across Americas since January 2009...

* 1961 Panel - my 1st VW - bought in Mexico City - traded for:
* 1959 Kombi - stored in Philly for now

Read my story HERE

peterxxl · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 3:20 pm Post subject:

Hello everyone! I am not dead (yet)! Smile

I wonder if you missed me...
Zozo was totally right... even thou I said I will post about my adventures down here, I didn't... I am sorry y'all - I officially suck!

But the good news is that I am back... not completely back, like in the USA, but back on the forums. But I am planning to get back to USA once again!

-------
So here is the story
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There were multiple reason why I left Texas and my bus back in May... I mentioned some of them in my last post. I had very little money and was spending all my time and money working on the bus. I don't remember if I mentioned it before, but I freelance on my computer sometimes. Unfortunately when I was working on my bus, I did very little of work that made me some money. I had to take a break of everything VW. My birthday was coming and I left my then-GF back in Mexico City. I found a cheap flight for $115 - direct from San Antonio to Mexico. I decided not to drive my bus back to Mexico, because I wanted to avoid all the police problems I had first time... I can't afford to pay them more 'refrescos' (codename for bribe). So I left my 'new' bus parked at John's (zozo's) place near San Antonio. I just took few things in my back pack and left it there.

My plan was to chill out a little bit, try to make couple hundred on my computer, look for better engine and head back in month or two.

As you can see, it's been way more than month or two Smile

A lot of things happened & changed.

I was hoping to make few hundred buck and buy engine from like year 2000 Mexican made Beetle. I have friends truckers in Aguascalientes (near Mexico City) who drive big trucks to the States all the time. I was hoping this would be the way to get the engine to Texas.

Unfortunately my friend started to work for other company, so he no longer starts his trips in Aguascalientes, but he takes a bus all the way to the border where he picks up his truck Sad

bummer #1.

I broke up with my GF, so I had to find my own place to live. A lot of my money went to rent. So I haven't bought any engine yet.

I got robbed on a beach near Acapulco Sad

they stole my iPhone, some money and 2 driver's licenses - one from Czech and one from Mexico. To get the Czech one replace I have to be in Czech republic. And to get replaced the mexican one was harder than I thought and it cost me some money too Sad

------------

But let's quit the bad news and try to look at the positive things.
I think I am quite ready to leave this crazy place.

- I have new driver's license
- I have no more GF
- I really miss my bus!!!!
- I miss American people (especially my friends)

So I am thinking how to get back to Texas. The flights are quite expensive at this time of a year. Can find anything under $300 for one-way which is quite a lot I reckon.

So I looking for some ride-shares. If you know about someone going from Mexico City (or near) up to the border, please let me know. I will share the costs of gasoline and such.

If I won't be able to find anyone, I might go hitch-hiking. I met few travelers down here and it sounds hitch-hiking in Mexico might be even easier than States judging from their words.

I will post some pictures in a minute.
_________________
Hi! My name is Petr and I wanna be your friend!
From Czech Republic, wandering across Americas since January 2009...

* 1961 Panel - my 1st VW - bought in Mexico City - traded for:
* 1959 Kombi - stored in Philly for now

Read my story HERE

peterxxl · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 3:50 pm Post subject:

At the shop of the guy who I traded my Mexipanel with
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On the road from Midland to San Antonio
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This is where my bus is waiting for my return
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And couple shots from Mexico

Panorama of Mexico City from Mexican Empire State Building
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I always like to take pictures with army, police and security guys
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Some museum
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Shoe cleaning for $1
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Typical mexican small town Smile

_________________
Hi! My name is Petr and I wanna be your friend!
From Czech Republic, wandering across Americas since January 2009...

* 1961 Panel - my 1st VW - bought in Mexico City - traded for:
* 1959 Kombi - stored in Philly for now

Read my story HERE

zozo · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 3:58 pm Post subject:

That garage looks strangely familiar. Wink

It hasn't been touched - almost. I opened the driver's door and put the camper window on the front seat. It's an EZ-camper style, not sure if it'll fit or not.

It's been so hot, the front "emblem" fell off. It's sitting on the front bumper.

Other than that, it's exactly as you left it.
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peterxxl · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 4:06 pm Post subject:

sanchodosrojo · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 10:51 am Post subject:

williamblanda · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:18 pm Post subject:

Glad to have you back, Peter!

I was, and I'm sure a bunch of other people were too, a little worried about you given your past travel experiences crossing the border and the long absences in your posts. Good to see you're alright.

Bus looks great, but someone needs to get you a real emblem!
_________________
Stop Fracking

www.DasVolks.com

John Muir's Engine Sounds

bugcollections · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:26 pm Post subject: Peter

Glad to know you are alive and well Peter. See you at Fredericksburg next spring again?

Scooterboyd · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 7:09 am Post subject:

The adventure continues!
_________________
President of "Society of Unappreciated Overachievers"
62 - 23 Window Bus
60 - Karmann Ghia Convertible

billzer06 · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:44 am Post subject:

We miss you up here in midland! You should stop by and grab some grub with us when you are on your way!

peterxxl · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:53 am Post subject:

I am glad to be back! Such a warm welcome Smile

My bus needs a real emblem and real engine... to be honest, the second thing is bothering me more...

Which reminds me... I just finished watching first season of American Pickers show.
That's freaking awesome job, they have. Just road tripping around the country, seeing all this awesome stuff the people hoard in their houses.

In one of the episodes, Mike bought VW emblem for $20. Smile

_________________
Hi! My name is Petr and I wanna be your friend!
From Czech Republic, wandering across Americas since January 2009...

* 1961 Panel - my 1st VW - bought in Mexico City - traded for:
* 1959 Kombi - stored in Philly for now

Read my story HERE

carterzest · Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:28 pm Post subject:

billzer06 · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:33 am Post subject:

Last time he texted me, he wasnt in the states!

wyldebill · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 12:00 am Post subject:

Hey guys, the last time I talked 2 Petr was a couple of weeks ago. He was in Berlin on his way home for the holidays. I don't think he has been home for a couple of year's. Zozo, if your reading this I was in your neck of the woods this last weekend
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Petr the Czech world traveler is my friend

zozo · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:03 am Post subject:

I received a Happy Thanksgiving text from him, but that's about the only contact I've had with him in months. He was going to come and get his bus this past September, but I guess something came up. It's still sitting beside my garage, untouched by no one but nature.
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Cedge · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 9:58 am Post subject:

Anyone heard anything from Petr of late?

Steve

wyldebill · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 11:12 am Post subject:

zozo · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 3:32 pm Post subject:

He's coming to get his bus in a couple of weeks.
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zozo · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject:

Petr's new arrival to help him on his future journeys:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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Split 66' · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:37 pm Post subject:

Nice! Glad to hear he is getting a solid motor.

Make sure to tell him to turn the oil deflector under the alternator stand to the correct position, before putting everything together. I made that mistake recently and was gushing oil mist from the filler tube.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Looking forward to updates.
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Currently looking for: 66-67 OG paint Sea Blue L360 Apron - 2/3 Middle Seat Grab Handles for Aero/Steel

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Peter the Czech travels across Mexico, USA, Central America
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