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I Turned My Van Into A Food Truck To Travel Around The World
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I Turned My Van Into A Food Truck To Travel Around The World

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At 24 and living in Buenos Aires, a 14-million people city, I decided to trade my career in marketing for an old Volkswagen ‘hippie’ van, which I named Clarita after my younger sister. Clarita, my new friend, the car and the house, is now in charge of taking me around the world. At the moment I’m travelling South to North, from Tierra Del Fuego, the most southern tip of the Americas, to Alaska.

For several years I was travelling and working various jobs in different countries – waiting tables at restaurants, working at construction sites and car repair shops, selling sandwiches on the beach in Rio during World Cup – to save a little money to move forward.

A year ago I turned Clarita, the van, into a food truck. I’m making “lomitos,” Argentinean steak sandwiches cooked with a traditional local liquor – Fernet in Argentina and Paraguay, Pisco in Peru, Singani in Bolivia. Am I a Chef? Far from that. But had no idea about many things that I ended doing to survive and keep moving.

Travelling helped me break from routine and open the circle. Back home it feels that your circle is locked – same places, same people, same conversations – but travelling opens you to people from different backgrounds, professions, religions and social classes and you end up befriending someone who you wouldn’t even have a chance to meet in your home country. Having seen breathtaking landscapes, worked many jobs and tasted amazing food, I’d say It’s all about people.

So far, I have traveled more than 12.000 miles in 8 countries of South America and met hundreds of strangers who’ve made this journey incredible. The name of my goal is still Alaska, and even though sometimes it feels easier to throw the towel, this battle between a businessman and a freeman doesn’t have a winner yet.

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RELATED:

    At 24 years I quit my office job in Buenos Aires to travel in a VW van that I named Clarita after my younger sister

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    I worked different jobs to keep moving. From constructions…

    …to waiting tables…

    …to repairing cars

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    A year ago I decided to turn Clarita into a ‘food truck’

    now I can work and move around easier

    I sell “lomitos,” Argentinean steak sandwiches

    Made with local liquor – fernet in Argentina and Paraguay, singani in Bolivia, pisco in Peru

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Am I a Chef? Far from that. But had no idea about many things that I ended doing to survive and keep moving

    Travelling helped me break from routine and open the circle

    Driving through Salar de Uyuni.

    Back home it feels that your circle is locked – same places, same people, same conversations

    Death Road in Bolivia.

    But travelling opens you to people from different backgrounds, professions, religions and social classes

    Pantanal, remote part of Paraguay accessible only by boat.

    you end up befriending someone who you wouldn’t even have a chance to meet in your home country

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    Camping in the mountains of Peru.

    Having seen breathtaking landscapes, worked many jobs and tasted amazing food, I’d say It’s all about people

    ADVERTISEMENT

    So far, I have traveled more than 12.000 miles in 8 countries of South America

    In Ibague, Colombia I organized a small Volkswagen festival with other travellers.

    I’ve met hundreds of strangers who’ve made this journey incredible

    Visiting Machu Picchu.

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    Franco Paltrinieri

    Franco Paltrinieri

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    Born in Argentina 28 years ago, left home looking for adventure with my partner, a 1985 Volkswagen Bus which I turned into a 'food truck'... Not much to say, feels like I started living since I left Argentina in 2012.

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    Franco Paltrinieri

    Franco Paltrinieri

    Author, Community member

    Born in Argentina 28 years ago, left home looking for adventure with my partner, a 1985 Volkswagen Bus which I turned into a 'food truck'... Not much to say, feels like I started living since I left Argentina in 2012.

    What do you think?
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    arielahor avatar
    Ariela Hornstein
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You look as if you are on an amazing journey:) Luck you. Have a wonderful time and keep collecting wonderful adventures and memories.

    arielahor avatar
    Ariela Hornstein
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You look as if you are on an amazing journey:) Luck you. Have a wonderful time and keep collecting wonderful adventures and memories.

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