Table Of Content

“It’s about a journey of discovery that becomes one of self-discovery as well. It’s about the emotional and political choices we have to make in life. It’s also about finding friendship, about solidarity. Finally, it’s about finding one’s place in the world — one that is worth fighting for.” —Walter Salles, director of “The Motorcycle Diaries” “A journey, a number of journeys. Ernesto Guevara in search of adventure, Ernesto Guevara in search of America, Ernesto Guevara in search of Che. On this journey of journeys, solitude found solidarity, ‘I’ turned into ‘we’.” — Eduardo Galeano “Che was 24: the world was not only an oyster, it lay at his feet. And life stretched out endlessly, languidly before him… This new edition of the book, published to coincide with the release of a film by Robert Redford and Walter Salles, is enhanced from the original 1993 publication. Included are Aleida’s much expanded comments and 24 pages of previously unpublished photos taken by Che and his traveling companion on their journey.” —January Magazine “Das Kapital meets Easy Rider.” —Times “A Latin American James Dean or Jack Kerouac.” —Washington Post “An extraordinary first-person account. If the world eventually came to know Che Guevara and his New Man, in The Motorcycle Diaries we see the formative man. It redoubles his image and lends a touch of humanity with enough rough edges to invite controversy.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review “For every comic escapade of the carefree roustabout there is an equally eye- opening moment in the development of the future revolutionary leader. By the end of the journey, a politicized Guevara has emerged to predict his own legendary future.” —Time “There is pathos in these pages — the pathos of Che himself, ever thoughtful, ever willing to sacrifice all, burning with guilt over his own privileges and never letting his sufferings impede him.” —New Yorker “A revolutionary bestseller… It’s true, Marxists just wanna have fun.” —Guardian “The Motorcycle Diaries mixes lyrical observation, youthful adventure and anti- imperialist political analysis… This candid journal, part self-discovery, part fieldwork, glimmers with portents of the future revolutionary.” —Publishers’ Weekly “What distinguishes these diaries… is that they reveal a human side to El Che which historians have successfully managed to suppress. It is in the pages of this breathless journal… that one senses El Che’s belief that determination and conviction can be enough to change one’s self and others… The journal… is a joy to read from start to finish.” —Financial Times “This journey was obviously the formative influence on Che’s Pan-Americanism and the development of his revolutionary consciousness… There’s political incorrectness galore… this book should do much to humanize the image of a man who found his apotheosis as a late ‘60s cultural icon. It is also, incidentally, a remarkably good travel book about South America.” —The Scotsman “The vision of the noble loner, whether freedom-fighter or biker… gives hope to world-weary revolutionaries and non-revolutionaries alike.” —Weekend Telegraph “Politically correct revolutionary hero? Perhaps a few years later, but in this account Che Guevara comes over as one of the lads.” —Bike “Che is certainly a shrewd observer of what he calls the ‘strange’ human race… The great thing about this book is that Che Guevara is never a bore. It satisfies both as an enjoyable travelogue and as a chronicle of the development of one of this century’s most romantic figures.” —Literary Review “This book is worth reading for more than novelty value. In his journey across Latin America, through the Andes and the rainforest, Che’s diary is full of original observation, hilarious mishaps and human understanding.” —Briefing “Che writes with wit and skill, giving insights into the world that shaped his beliefs… The reader can see him piecing together the ideas that will shape his political future.” —Impact the motorcycle diaries NOTES ON A LATIN AMERICAN JOURNEY CHE GUEVARA PUBLISHING PROJECT These books form part of a series published by Ocean Press and the Che Guevara Studies Center of Havana, with the objective of disseminating the works and ideas of Che Guevara. Self-Portrait A Photographic and Literary Memoir The Motorcycle Diaries Notes on a Latin American Journey Reminiscences of the Cuban Revolutionary War Authorized Edition The Bolivian Diary Authorized Edition Che Guevara Reader Writings on Politics and Revolution Latin America Awakening of a Continent Global Justice Liberation and Socialism Guerrilla Warfare Authorized Edition Our America and Theirs Kennedy and the Alliance for Progress— The Debate at Punta del Este Marx & Engels A Biographical Introduction Critical Notes On Political Economy A Critical Analysis of the Soviet Economic System Socialism and Humanity in Cuba A Classic Edition ERNES TO CHE GUEVARA the motorcycle diaries NOTES ON A LATIN AMERICAN JOURNEY preface by Aleida Guevara March introduction by Cintio Vitier Ocean Press www.oceanbooks.com.au Cover design by Karen Oh Copyright © 2003 Ocean Press Copyright © 2003 Che Guevara Studies Center Copyright © 2003 Aleida March All photographs © 2003 Che Guevara Studies Center Preface © 2003 Aleida Guevara March All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. ISBN: 978-1-876175-70-2 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2003107187 First Printed 2003 Twenty-second printing 2011 Published in Spanish by Ocean Sur as Diarios de Motocicleta, ISBN 978-1-920888-11-4 PUBLISHED BY OCEAN PRESS Australia: PO Box 1015, North Melbourne, Victoria 3051, Australia E-mail: