When I first glanced at these pictures of a certain road in Bolivia, my thoughts went immediately to the spectacular beauty and awesome scenery.
My seconds thoughts were wondering why my stomach was starting to do the tighten up.
It does not matter if you lead a fairly sedate life, where a bustling crowd at Starbucks launches you into a tizzy or if you are an über extreme adventure enthusiast, where you seemingly risk life and limb in every recreational pursuit you undertake.
We all seem to have some type of built-in Scare-O-meter, wherein we get that feeling when we begin to test the limits of our personal risk aversion.
I would think anyone lacking this human adaptation is probably already a winner of the Darwin Awards, or a candidate for inclusion in this club.
One of the most obvious manifestations of this phenomenon is at a lake lined with rocks suitable for jumping off at various heights above the water.
Inevitably, you will notice that some people will, without hesitation, climb to the highest possible jump-off spot and immediately leap off.
Others will find either their comfort level of height OR some higher level that they have been peer-pressured into attaining.
Our personal Scare-O-meter is certainly re-calibrated based on our age, perceived life responsibilities and how many beers we have consumed.
And for me, mine is probably observable in unintended emissions in my britches. TMI, I know.
Ironically, it is my impression that people who seem to have extraordinarily high levels of tolerance for defying death may, in some circumstances, be less at risk–until they do in fact kill themselves–than people who, for whatever reason, go beyond their comfort level (such as a perceived necessity to prove their Manhood…or…just too many beers).
The reason is probably not rocket science: kind of like hesitating when crossing a busy intersection.
Either go or don’t go.
Back to our road trip pictures, when you read the text that accompanied the photos:
If you are ever traveling through Boliva and want a bit more adventure for your tourist dollar hop on a local bus and tour Yungas Road. The road is also known as El Camino de la Muerte or the Road of Death, and is responsible for the death of between 200-300 people each year. the 60 some odd kilometer road was named the world’s most dangerous in 1995.
You realize that for some people, it’s not a guidebook they need for their full-throttle activities…it’s a Last Will and Testament.
The picture is amazing. May be worth the risk.
Or at least visit the area.
I’d like to walk it, even though it’s way too long for that!
Scop – I agree, but only if I don’t come home dead.
Kevin – how about a mountain bike and a parachute?
That would not be for acrophobics like me, although ropes and carabiners would make me feel safer. Throw in a football stadium-sized trampoline below too!
If the person that took the picture made it home then there’s a chance of comeing home alive.
Check out all the picture in the link at the start of the article.
WOW
Wait, are we talking adventure travel or a circus act?
So far no one has chimed in that they have actually driven that stretch of highway.
You know what that means, don’t you?