Trapped In Colombia.... Need Forum's Help....

[wheatonFJR]

Maybe he should consider selling some of his prints.

I think he kinda has been sharing, by linking to his website. (Awesome photos, btw)

...Throughout my journey I have documented, photographed and filmed what I have seen through the lens of my camera. I have shared these images with friends and family for free out of love and appreciation for what I was receiving. The work I created was as much theirs as it was mine. I never sought money for my photography and found everything I did a labor of love...

I'm in the skeptical camp, just because that is what I naturally am, for better or worse. However, if someone believes in helping him...the FJR is in a few of his awesome photos...then I could see the thought of helping a fellow FJR owner in trouble.

 

[Tyler]

For those that scoff the request...

"The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!" - Robert Burns

Translation: "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry..."

This is a motorcycle community. He reached out to his community when things went sideways. There have been others, such as Ara & Spirit and these two young gents who sallied forth on an adventure, that folks have assisted along their journey for whatever reason. Or those who have had accidents and many reached out to help... I have been privvy to such assistance and very grateful for it.

My reason that I donated was I wished it could be me... I wished I had the fortitude and courage to step out into the world with an unsteady diving board but did it anyway. I wanted to be a part of making them succeed because it made me feel good to do so. And in Ara's case, I wanted to let him know that people gave a **** in the shadow of great loss... and in doing so, he has become a beloved friend not because of any financial donation but because we just connected with one another.

If you don't want to contribute, you are free to make that choice as are those who do contribute. It's not a pressure thing and if it's not your thing, wishing you well on your way. But if you're ever in trouble, know that there are many who are willing help anytime.

I made a donation. I've received an email from TD and personally felt it was the right thing to do. I look forward to hearing more about his adventures and maybe making a new friend along the way.

 

[majicmaker]

Excellent Post Tyler. The people who don't get it, Never will. Save your breath......

 

[PhilJet09]

I've spent a lot more money on a lot worse things. I can appreciate what he's doing.

 

[MEM]

Excellent Post Tyler. The people who don't get it, Never will. Save your breath......

Against my better judgement...... there are Forum peeps who "don't get" this particular call to action but who would clamor to provide assistance in other instances. As she points out, Tyler knows this as well as (or, unfortunately/fortunately, better than) most of us.
There's "trouble" and then there's trouble.

I "don't get" being asked to fund someone else's dream :blink: but I DO "get" funding thousands of dollars annually worth of other needs.

Please don't be so quick to polarize the caring or giving nature of this community - charitable or otherwise.

 

[Greg 03]

Lost $400 at the casino last weekend so might as well throw $20 his way... much better investment!

 

[someguy]

Agree w/ you Mem...

We all have free spirits within us or we would not ride... it wouldn't make sense.

i think each one of us sees "need" differently...

and that's the beauty of this incredibly diverse group of people.

 

[majicmaker]

Point well taken, MEM. I wasn't polarizing. Just making a statement. That's all.

 

[MCRIDER007]

I'm in the skeptical camp, just because that is what I naturally am, for better or worse. However, if someone believes in helping him...the FJR is in a few of his awesome photos...then I could see the thought of helping a fellow FJR owner in trouble.

I'm also a natural skeptical including years of training and work experience but I find little not to believe in Tonyduck's story simply because if it was a con, then it would be a lot better story and include some incident of woe, that was totally beyond his control, and the primary cause of his current situation. As it is, his story leads to the conclusion that he started his trip with grossly insufficient funds and did not have a plan of how to earn additional funds during his travels....which further leads to the conclusion he was always intending to ask someone at some point in time for financial assistance. This isn't uncommon by any means but the traveler usually looks for sponsors before they leave rather than taking the chance of being stranded in a third world country and having to sell all their possessions at a fraction of real value just to buy a ticket to get home.

A few years ago members of ADVRider.com sponsored a young man (his handle was Dork) from Vancouver, WA to travel around the country and give daily trip reports. He was very good at keeping his travels up to date and everyone looked forward to the next installment. Unfortunately, he had met a girl just before he left, got homesick and missed his girlfriend, and cancelled his trip after only a month on the road (they did get married a few months later).

Its obviously a personal choice whether you want to sponsor Tonyducks on his South American adventure, the criteria I am going to use is whether I would have donated money if he had come to the Forum before he left rather than waiting until he was about to run out of funds.

 

[dcarver]

50 USD his way.

No expectations either.

Just ride doode.

And take pix.

 

[beemerdons]

"Donald,


Thank you for the generous donation. It’s difficult to express how ecstatic I am. It means a great deal to know there are people like you with an empathetic heart willing to lend a hand. I am still unable to leave Colombia as roads are continuing to be blocked in the South. The money comes just in time as my battery has decided to slowly die. I have saved your email and will keep in touch when I return so I can send you a signed print. I will also keep you in my mind and heart.

All the best,

Anthony Santoloci."

===================================================================================

Saludos Anthony,

¡Muy contento ayudar a Tony, lamente que no montara a caballo con usted! Todos los mejores en sus viajes de moto, si puedo montar a caballo a Guatemala para encontrarle que sería fantástico. ¡Ame sus fotografías y le deseo todos los mejores! Ai, mas Caminos y mas Amigos! Suerte, mi Compadre!

Recuerdos,

Papa Chuy Viejo

Chandler, Arizona

Estados Unidos

 

[Bustanut joker]

Wow! A scammer that takes the time to thank those who "fell" for it!! What is this world coming to?

I'm going out today an scour the ditches and roadside for cans and bottles for the deposit money and sending the proceeds to the duck.

That way when this proves out to be a hoax I can be legitimately pissed because I spent several hours stooped over with a raging backache and getting bug bit and dirty in the process.

At times I get a bit miffed at some here and jump on me soapbox with a shotgun blasting away at some of you and saying I ain't never coming back.

And then something like this pops up and renews my faith in this place.....

Kudos to all who decided to take a chance on this guy. His story to this point has be fascinating, and like a good book it needs a proper ending.

You folks are working to make that happen.

 

[Fred W]

My initial reaction to the OP was one of disgust and indignation. Why should I support this slacker? He has chosen to run off to see the world without a care, why should I fund his boondoggle? I am generally not one who supports beggars.

I've looked at his website now and I see that he is not so much a common panhandler as he is an artist with a bad business plan. I don't think too many artists have developed great business plans. That's probably one reason why their stuff is seldom monetarily appreciated until they are gone. They usually just go out on their own and experience life (as they see it) and then record or report the experience through their art.

This fellow has offered to sell his prints for a $15 donation which seems a fair deal to me. He has a lot of nice work, and I wouldn't mind hanging one or two of his shots in my home.

Would I rather that the vagabond seeing the world was me than he? You're damn right I would. But in the meantime I'll stick to the relative safety and security of my home and live vicariously through free spirits like this one.

Paypal sent.

 

[Geezer]

This person is living his dream. That dream, for him, includes camping in the wilderness and living on as little money as possible. It reminds me of other adventurous people like the mountain men of the Rockies. However, are we not in some sense taking away part of that adventure by funding him? Didn't he already tell us that he earned money when needed by raking blueberries? I expect that it might be more difficult to find paying work in Colombia, but he will remember that job a lot more fondly, as his overcoming another hardship, than his memories of asking for donations from us.

 

[ionbeam]

...Didn't he already tell us that he earned money when needed by raking blueberries? I expect that it might be more difficult to find paying work in Colombia, but he will remember that job a lot more fondly... than his memories of asking for donations from us.

I believe he is still earning money -- using the Sally Struthers business model. When I started reading the first post I noticed a serious ripple in the Force that seemed to be strongly tugging at my wallet and as I read on it turned out that was indeed what was happening.

I see he has been registered on the Forum for a few years. I tried to look at some of his previous posts to get some idea of the character of this character. His posts have been withing the range of 'normal' and some time ago he did write:

Hello,
I live in San Diego area. About to venture on a very long arduous tour on my bike, and need to do a valve check, replace CCT, and rebuild of forks and shock. I will show my appreciation in the form of cash to anyone in the area who is versed and experienced with this repair. Otherwise i'll need to spend some big cheese at the dealer.

Thanks for your help.

 

[fossilrider]

I wish Tony had sent me a different thankyou note then the one he sent Beemerdons. A simple thank you would have suited me better.

"John,


Thank you so much for the generous donation. It’s difficult to express how ecstatic I am. It means a great deal to know there are people like you with an empathetic heart willing to lend a hand. I am still unable to leave Colombia as roads are continuing to be blocked in the South. The money comes just in time as my battery has decided to slowly die. I have saved your email and will keep in touch when I return so I can send you a signed print. I will also keep you in my mind and heart.
All the best,

Anthony Santoloci."

 

[Spud]

At least he took the time to change the name... LOL!

 

[beemerdons]

"Papa Chuy Viejo....


Como estas amigo.

Que buen idea viajar a Guatemala. Me encanta la pais de Guatemala, es posible que es mi favorito país, y hay tanto ver y hacer alli. Gracias por todo que has dicho. Tus palabras me han llevado mucho contento. Tal vez es posible que necesite vender mi moto cuando llego a Argentina. Pero no importa porque puedo trabajar y compra un otro cuando regresar. Que es importa a mi es el posibilidad conocer alguien como ti. Espero que nos encontramos pronto. Como es mi español????

Tony."
==================================================================================================

Brother Tony, since I am sharing your conversations with our mutual friends at FJR Forum I have taken the liberty of translating your Spanish into English! By the way, your Spanish is excellent.

As to you my Friend.

It is always a good idea to travel to Guatemala. I love the country of Guatemala, it is possible that it is my favorite country, and there is so much to see and do there. Thank you for all that you said. Your words have brought me much happiness. Perhaps I might need to sell my bike when I get to Argentina. But it doesn't matter because I can work and buy another when returning. What matters to me is the ability to know someone like you. I hope that we can ride together soon. How it is my Spanish?

Tony.

================================================================================

POSTSCRIPT: Para fossilrider y las Otras, Tony's personal email address is [email protected] and mine is [email protected]

If you would like to join in our private conversations regarding Latin American travel, send me your email and I will include you in our talks.

I realize it may be years before Tony is heading Northward, but as long as my bad ticker doesn't give out: I'm meeting him in Guatemala!

 

[majicmaker]

Victor,

Your donation was incredibly generous, and I would like to repay when I return.
What you have done has meant a great deal. I know now more than ever exactly
what I must do and It brings me such great pleasure that it will be partly
backed by others who believe in where Im going. Please let us stay in touch. I
really look forward to meeting everyone who has helped and the greatest part of
making new friends is yet to come.

Tony.

 

[luvtoride]

Funny... when I first started reading the opening post, my first thought was... this guy is going to ask for money....then he did. Then he has not posted again himself. I find that unusual...

refraining from posting my judgement.... but guess that I already did.