Final Reflection

"The Motorcycle Diaries" by Che Guevara was an interesting book, but it wasn't very eventful. It doesn't have any larger purpose, it's just one man's inner journey. And to be honest, it's not a very special one. It's kind of funny, but when it comes down to it the book is overall just boring. The adventure is extremely ordinary, because well, it is. It's just two dudes driving around, and what they see.

After their adventure, Che became a revolutionary, so why not just write about that? It's like watching a Batman movie, and the movie ends before Bruce becomes Batman. Yes, his parent's death was important, and without it there would be no Batman, but really without Batman it was just a tragic murder. That's how I feel about the book. Sure, without the road trip Ernesto wouldn't have become Che, but without Che all the book is is a description of poverty. Why not apply his experience to what he goes on to do? Because without his actions as a revolutionary, his story is meaningless. And the book stops right at the meaningful part.

Quote of the Day- 5/22

"Latins are tenderly enthusiastic. In Brazil they throw flowers at you. In Argentina they throw themselves."

-Marlene Dietrich, German Actor

Spencer’s Response to Thomas Riggin’s Blog:

The book “the Motorcycle Diaries” was written by Che Guevara, and it is a story about a journey he made from Córdoba in Argentina to Caracas in Venezuela in late 1952, with his friend Alberto Granado. Midway through their journey, their main and most important mean of transportation broke down, which was a motorcycle named La Poderosa II. They had to abandon the motorcycle in the southern part of Chile, and their journey began. Overall, this book was a very easy read, and also very easy to understand. The two men go through many crazy adventures with each other, Che, who is a year away from graduating medical school, and Alberto, who is slightly older and Granado, who is specializing in the study of leprosy.

“But what makes it particularly interesting is the hints the book contains of the future "Che." I found this to be extremely important throughout the book. What Che says and how he reacts to what he see during his journey, is very important for his future. I strongly agree to this point that Thomas made.

To be totally honest, I do not recommend this book. I feel as if it is very boring to read, and I could not lie about that. In the beginning of the book, Che and Alberto have a very boring journey, with the same things happening over and over again. They always arrive in a new town or city and that following things always seem to happen. First, the motorcycle encounters a problem, and it has to be fixed in the shop. Then, they find a new “friend” to stay with, who always offers them mate. I hate to be a Debbie downer, but I did not enjoy reading this book.

You can read Riggin's review here.

Wyatt's Response to "The Motorcycle Diaries" Book Review by Thomas Riggins

This review is a great reflection of The Motorcycle Diaries. I really like how Thomas talks about the background of the plot and Ernesto before the review. Then he goes on to talk about how the book and Ernesto's trip changed his life. He talks about the old woman who is dying in Valparaiso and how it affects Ernesto. I think this is the first part in the story where Ernesto realized what is wrong with South America. When Ernesto get to the part where he meets the coal miners this is what Thomas says, "A few days after they arrive in Antofagasta they make it to the great copper mine of Chuquicamata." Here Guevara meets communist workers. At this time the Communist Party was illegal and repressed. Communists were imprisoned, denied the right to vote and many had just disappeared "and said to be somewhere at the bottom of the sea." He touches on communism which is the root and claim to fame of Ernesto (Che) Guevara. Thomas explains that well and then talks about the Leper colony in Peru. The book shows how a certain thing or cause can change one person. What Che sees in South America he takes with him to Cuba to start a revolution. I think Thomas's review is a amazing review of Che and the book.

You can read Riggin's full review here.

Quote of the Day 5/21

As usual, here is the quote of the day. For those that are new, we like to post the quote without any explanation, for readers to interpret themselves. After all, we're all capable of some independent thought every once and a while. Feel free to leave a response in the comments section.

“If any person has a good word for the previous government that is good enough for me to have him shot.”

-Che Guevara

Soccer in South America

Soccer helps the South American economy because it is the national sport. It dominates the culture. South American countries have won half of the World cups ever played. They care a lot about soccer and are very competitive. Every Political thing can be tied to soccer. The economy makes money by people buying tickets to games. It also makes more people rich to even out the top 1%. Every decision made in Brazil and other countries is tied to how well their soccer team is and if can they benefit. They build new stadiums, rather than new houses for people. Every conversation will probably end up relating to soccer. Also poor kids find it fun thing to do. They meet new people and can play soccer to relieve stress. Most of the population play soccer even if it isn't organized they play in pick up games.



In  the 1970 World Cup Argentina played England. Prior to the game they were fighting over islands off the cost of Argentina. People said that this was more then a game. The tension in the stadium was very ecstatic. A big problem in the country was being expressed and solved through a soccer game. They ended up solving the solution through the soccer game.

"In much of Latin America, soccer is more than a game. It is linked to each nation's identity in similar yet unique ways. Nadel offers a comprehensive look at this process."--Joseph L.
Arbena, coeditor of Sport in Latin America and the Caribbean. This is a quote from the book Futbol. The book is about soccer in Latin America, and how it plays a role in the culture.
 You can find it here.
Another review of Futbol

Che's Thoughts on Education

One of the less known problems Che fought against was the education system. “The walls of the educational system must come down. Education should not be a privilege, so the children of those who have money can study”, Che says to the students of Central University in Santa Clara, Cuba. What he was saying is that cost of education is one of the many things that keeps people stuck in poverty. Those who are in poverty have no chance of escape because they can’t afford to be educated, and neither can their children. Then their children have children, and so on, and no one can break the cycle of poverty, get educated, and get a good job. The way Che put it, the walls of the education system were built to keep out the poor, and they should come down.