This European Life - An Open Travelogue

[Delibes]

That gullwing makes me sad

A shame to let that beauty rot, but I guess it is part of the car's natural cycle... some survive, some don't. At least it has led an interesting life, and it is by far more famous than some relic sitting in someone's garage!

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Nicaragua is a truly stunning country! From its colonial towns to its fresh water shores, it has become one of my favorites so far. Luckily it is still relatively unexploited, so it allows for a more integrated experience when visiting! Most certainly, I shall return to Nicaragua and Cuba. Not that the two of them are socialist, or anything...

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE: Reasons I Like Nicaragua



Remember to like This European Life in Facebook for continuous updates!

 

[Delibes]

The inevitable crossing of the Darien Gap via Panama, in a short and sweet format. Not the most exciting thing in the world... but just wait what I have ready for you when I reach Venezuela.

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE
A Man. A Plan. A Canal.

 

[Delibes]

A recapitulation about the last few months from the start of the expedition, in 8-bit video game form. 50% complete, now let's go for the other 50%!

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE: HALFWAY THROUGH


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[Delibes]

I was involved in a dreadful accident with the car, I came out unscathed but the poor wagon is not even suitable as a parts car. I took some time yesterday to write a detailed account of the accident and my concerns for the future of this trip... at this point, I am on the fence about interrupting it and go back home to see the family and earn some money.

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE: The Most Dangerous Road

 

[Pacer]

Wow, glad to hear you're in good shape.

 

[Delibes]

Wow, glad to hear you're in good shape.

It was unbelievable. I don't even know how I am in one piece!

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A little late, but the accident stopped things so suddenly I had to take a break to recover. The article about my experience in Venezuela was so lengthy I had to divide it into three parts. On this first part, I narrate everything ranging from my departure from Medellín to my arrival to the town of San Cristóbal... enjoy!

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE
THE GREAT VENEZUELAN ADVENTURE, PART ONE

 

[Delibes]

Time for part two!

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE:
The Great Venezuelan Adventure (II)

 

[Delibes]

One... two... and third release of my doings in Venezuela. Wrapping up the adventure now! Following next, will be a series called "Red Plate Diaries" on the process of setting up my import/export company, "Oliden Group", and a tour around Spain looking for cars!

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE
The Great Venezuelan Adventure (III)

 

[Delibes]

The expedition is officially over. This post, one of the most emotive I have written in a while, addresses the change from PanAmerican adventurer to a new encounter with my birthplace. Deciding to stop was a tough decision, but one that I do not regret, nonetheless. Re-discovering home is something I needed to come to terms with, and now it has been the best time to do so.

From here on, I will be posting my adventures as I hunt for vehicles all over Europe in a series of posts called "Red Plate Diaries", named after the particularly colored dealer plates in Spain. I am sure you will enjoy my European tour as much as you have enjoyed my adventures on the PanAm!

My business, Oliden Group, has a facebook page where you can keep track of the vehicles (and other products) I will export to the USA. Who knows? Maybe you'd like to buy one!

This European Life: A New Beginning

 

[e9999]

glad you're OK!
hope you have a good time recovering at home from all the adventures.

 

[Delibes]

Well... now that I am back in Spain not much has been going on. In my recovery I have founded Oliden Group, shipped my first G-Wagen (due at the end of this month) and dedicated myself to polish up my automotive journalism. Having shared the classroom with many a hipster, I though it was about time to write an article on hipsterdom and vehicles!

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE: The Top 15 Quintessentially Hipster Cars



Expect an article at the beginning of this month narrating the Mercedes Gelandewagen odyssey, from its purchase to its arrival to the US!

 

[Delibes]

Oh, hold on! What's this? IT'S A NEW UPDATE! 8 months later, I am back in the game and stronger than ever. This European Life travels again, and will be on the road soon!

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE: Spanish Quicksand

 

[Delibes]

Talk about four intense months. In less than half a year I have moved to Dubai, worked in China and lost my job. Still in a better position than when I started, but not without its share of hardship. It never gets easier!

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE: Llorente of Arabia

 

[Delibes]

These days I've been remembering a lot of the good old times down the PanAmerican. So, two years later, I present you with a lot of material that was kept secret when the Gullwing story was published.

Are you ready for a trip down Memory Lane into the Cave of Wonders?

This European Life: Cuba 300SL Gullwing Galore

 

[Pacer]

Pretty cool story, thanks for updating.
Sending positive citizenship thoughts your way.

 

[Delibes]

Finally, an update! Last year's hardship with a big surprise at the end.

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE: Times for Reflection

 

[Delibes]

Out of the blue, here's an update from Istanbul. Recomend the city 100% for your next escape.
Soon enough I will be touring the US in a car, will write an update for that project next month!

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE: Journey to the Ottoman Crescent

 

[Pacer]

Let us know if you plan a stop near Philadelphia .

 

[Delibes]

Let us know if you plan a stop near Philadelphia .

Indeed I will! Philly has the Simeone Collection, which is considered to be one of the best in the country.

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Llorente of Arabia strikes again! This time is the long-expected trip to Jordan I took last February. It hasn't been until now that I decided to write on it, for I have been busy with all the workplace drama, moving to a new home, and my future USA tour with "Curator on the Go". So far, the response has been mostly positive.

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE: Journey to the Ottoman Crescent (II)

 

[Delibes]

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
A while ago I started working on a detailed map of car museums all over the world.

Plotting all those car museums have me the idea of visiting as many as I could, in order to learn from the best and be able to apply that knowledge at the car museum I was working at. But soon after I quit due to unfair and illegal practices by our management, the idea became bigger: why not start a museum from scratch? And so, the idea snowballed until I came out with a campaign called "Curator on the Go".



Much like the previous road trip with Newport (82 300TD) meeting Peachparts members, Curator on the Go will make 80 stops in select car museums for a total length of 6 months. Yes, six months on the road! Despite a tight visiting schedule, I'd like to open the door once again to meeting more members of this community, if possible.

Here's a link to the information and fundraiser page. Additionally, here's a link to the route, detailing each museum I'll be visiting.

If you have any last-minute suggestions, I'll be most happy to consider them and add them to the route. I have some "break" periods to use as "padding" to keep a strict schedule in my visits, should I decide to take a detour or have a breakdown in the car.

Looking forward to this one!