Motorcycle Diaries

Ernesto and Alberto set out on a Latin American journey, on a motorcycle, “the Mighty One”. Ernesto was always friendly, honest, and willing to help others. One of the scenes that help shape him as a leader is when he met the “mining” couple. The further Ernesto and Alberto went into the hills of Chile and Peru, the more Ernesto was devastated by the way the indigenous people lived and was treated. Most were poor and had lost their jobs (fired by the rich) and were looking for work. The mining company hand-selected the men they wanted and left the woman and the other men to fend for themselves. They were sent away starving and thirsty. This outraged Ernesto. The other example that “changed him” was the night they celebrated his birthday. He gave a speech and thanked the people, the doctors, nurses, nuns, and workers at the colony. Ernesto just wanted to be with the common people though and risked his life swimming across the river to be with the poor, sick people with leprosy. Ernesto wanted to help the impoverished. He realizes this journey changes him, no longer wanting to be a physician. He realizes he would have never met these people if it weren’t for the circumstances that allowed this to happen.

The main difference on celebrating traditions between the US and the Spanish speaking world is the Spanish always seem to include dancing as part of the festivities. Dancing occurred when Ernesto was leaving on his trip at his girlfriend’s. On their journey, the small town social was a dance where Ernesto and Alberto went. At his birthday celebration in Peru, there was dancing and with dancing there was always girls who wanted to dance. Ernesto however was not really interested in dancing nor did he dance well. He was more characteristic of some Americans.