“A journey of rebellion and brotherhood, where a motorcycle ride ignited a revolution.”
Watch the original version of The Motorcycle Diaries
Prologue:
In the heart of Buenos Aires, beneath the warm glow of an Argentine sunrise, begins the tale of two young men fueled by an irrepressible wanderlust. Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, a restless medical student with a passion for wandering, and Alberto Granado, a biochemist consumed by curiosity for life beyond the confines of their town. Bound by their shared desire for adventure, they embark on an 8,000-kilometer journey across South America atop a rickety Norton 500 motorcycle, affectionately named ‘La Poderosa’ – the Mighty One.
This narrative, based on the actual diaries penned by Che himself, chronicles the transformative journey that stoked the spark of rebellion in Guevara’s heart and birthed the firebrand revolutionary that the world would recognize as ‘Che’. While the motorcycle serves as a symbol of their freedom and relentless ambition, the journey becomes an avenue to experience the raw and unfiltered reality of South America. Neither of them could have envisaged the impact this journey would imprint on their hearts, nor the direction of the life awaiting them on the other side.
Through a blend of laughter, heartbreak, camaraderie, and a dash of the misty-eyed nostalgia of youth, the tale of “The Motorcycle Diaries” unfolds. Adventure blossoms not as an escape but as a journey of self-discovery. As the readers, you are invited to ride alongside Che and Alberto, traverse through the dusty roads of the South American mainland, and delve deep into the heart of its culture, its beauty, and its complex social structure. It’s a journey that redefines their notions of freedom, compassion, and justice. A journey that shapes the destiny of not just two young men, but an entire nation.
Chapter 1: Departure Dawn:
From the scuffed cobblestone streets of Buenos Aires, the cheers and well-wishes of friends and family marked the beginning of Che and Alberto’s grand adventure. The dreary dawn was quickly driven away by their infectious excitement. Their eyes held a twinkle as they straddled ‘La Poderosa’, their knuckles white with anticipation. “Vamos, Alberto,” Che shouted over the roar of the engine, his voice breathless with excitement.
The duo forged ahead, the cityscape left behind, the horizon welcoming them with the promise of an uncharted adventure. The open road became their amphitheater, the motorcycle, their loyal steed. Each mile was a story, each detour a new world unfolding. As the Argentine plains gave way to the towering Andes, they marveled at the splendid and unrestricted sceneries, their hearts beating in rhythm with the varying landscapes. The arduous roads tested the endurance of both man and machine. The duo was as temperamental and robust as their noble steed, their friendship weathering the highs and lows of their journey.
But it was the people they met on this venture that influenced them the most. The minor miners in the Andes, the oppressed natives in the Chilean desert, the social outcasts in the leper colonies of Peru. The stories of injustice, poverty, and suffering were etched into their hearts. The joyous laughter and vivacious spirit of the locals, despite their hardships, painted a contrasting picture that was both perplexing and endearing.
Che’s medical training played a crucial role as they navigated through the impoverished towns. From dressing wounds to providing antibiotics, he offered what little help he could. Alberto, with his infectious charm and heartfelt empathy, bonded with the locals, their stories becoming the duo’s source of wisdom.
As they continued their journey across the expansive terrain of South America, the seeds of rebellion were subtly being sown in Che’s heart. This chapter marked the start, not just of a grand adventure, but the transformation of a curious medical student into a revolutionary. ‘La Poderosa’, the powerful one, was taking them on a ride that was far more significant than either of them could have ever expected. And so, the journey continued, each new dawn bringing with it an experience that was equally thrilling, heartbreaking, and enlightening.
Chapter 2: Man and Machine
As dawn embraced the city of Buenos Aires, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara and Alberto Granado gasped at the sight of their mode of transport, a Norton 500 called ‘La Poderosa’. A bulky silhouette rested against the rising sun, ominously vibrant with the promise of adventure. It was more than a motorcycle; it was a symbol of their undying spirit, an emblem of the journey that lay ahead.
Both understood that ‘La Poderosa’, though rusty and worn, was not merely a machine to them. It was an expression of their youthful audacity, a tangible manifestation of their dreams. Engine noise replaced the peaceful silence of dawn as they mounted the beast, its vibrational rhythm syncing with their pounding hearts.
They ventured forth with fervor, each mile covered reinforcing their bond, not just with each other, but also with their mechanical beast. Through the arid plains of Argentina, they traversed, the powerful motorbike carving its own narrative into the fabric of their journey, intermittently roaring and purring, echoing their fluctuating emotions.
Yet, the journey was far from smooth. ‘La Poderosa’ tested their resilience. First, a punctured tire in the vast nothingness of the Pampas, then, a broken chain in the chill of the Andes. Each time disaster struck, the duo was stranded, miles away from the nearest sign of life.
The experience was perplexing, at times even infuriating. The unpredictability of their machine challenged the limits of their patience. Yet, it was during these seemingly disastrous breakdowns, under the open sky, that the most profound moments of friendship and camaraderie were forged.
A sense of burstiness marked these episodes, chunks of thrilling adventures punctuated by repair sessions, mechanical adjustments, and moments of despair. They spent hours in mutual silence, their fingers smeared with grease, their minds absorbed in the intricate machinery. The motorcycle was not just a means of transport, but also a facilitator of bonding, a teacher imparting lessons of perseverance, resilience, and problem-solving.
Conversely, each successful repair was a triumphant victory, a testament to their ingenuity and determination. The intoxicating thrill of the engine roaring back to life was incomparable for the duo. It reassured them that they could weather any storm, that they were capable of overcoming any adversity thrown their way.
Throughout it all, the motorcycle remained their loyal companion, unfailingly mirroring their spirit of adventure. Even in its breakdowns, it imposed a rhythm, a peculiar ebb, and flow that kept the journey’s pulse alive.
The duo not just repaired a machine, they breathed life into it. Their journey imprinted on every nut and bolt of the aging motorcycle. With every pitstop, every sputter of the engine, every momentous restart, ‘La Poderosa’ seemed to absorb a piece of them, growing more into a companion, less of a machine.
As they navigated the tricky terrains and conquered mechanical breakdowns, Che and Alberto were evolving. The journey was reshaping them, just as they were reshaping ‘La Poderosa’. As they ventured deeper into South America, the motorcycle served as a metaphor for their growing friendship, an enduring bond that held the potential to weather the harshest storms.
Chapter 2 portrayed their adventure with ‘La Poderosa’ in a journey characterized by challenges and triumphs, frustrations and elations. The motorcycle, with its unpredictable rhythms and demanding repairs, became a cradle nurturing their brotherhood, sharpening their endurance, and instilling an indomitable spirit for the journey ahead.
The chapter also subtly hinted at the budding revolutionary spirit within Che. His resilience and adaptability in the face of mechanical adversities reflected his resolve to handle the societal adversities he would encounter in later chapters. Amid the dust trails, the sputtering engine, and desolate landscapes, a daring revolutionary was kindling in the heart of a young medical student, ready to burst forth when the time was right.
Chapter 3: Mountain Mirrors
The journey of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara and Alberto Granado was not just a physical one. It was the journey of their hearts, expanding with each traveled mile, each met soul. The duo, after enduring harsh terrains and temperamental motorcycle mechanics, found themselves at the start of the Andean range, the veins of South America. These veins, though, were bleeding. The miners, whose hands wore the testimony of their unending toil, welcomed them to their desolate world.
The mines were not just claustrophobic, dark caverns echoing the sounds of pickaxes and sighs; they were the homes of these men. Men who were forgotten by the world and exploited for the world’s ever-growing appetite for minerals. The mines reflected the societal corruption and were a mirror to the oppressive systems of power. Che, being a medical student, was shocked seeing the way miners were dealt with.
His nostrils filled with the poignant smell of dust and sweat, his eyes stung with the sight of the bloodied hands and tired eyes of the miners. Lulled by the rhythmic tapping of the pickaxes, he found himself in deep contemplation amidst the dust particles dancing in the thin ray of sunlight piercing the gloom. The miners’ faces, shriveled in the shadow of capitalism, started haunting his thoughts.
Struck by this extreme display of inequality and the miners’ living conditions, the seeds of revolution started sprouting in Che’s heart. He took it upon himself to treat the miners, from common ailments to the neglected ones, with his limited medical supplies. His tent became a makeshift clinic, the lanterns lighting up the hopes of the miners in the cold, stark mountain nights.
On the other hand, Alberto, the extroverted one, engaged the miners with his enthusiastic storytelling. His tales, filled with their adventures and misadventures, became a staple form of entertainment for the miners. However, beneath all the laughter and camaraderie, a bitter awareness was growing in Alberto. The unfairness of the system, the exploitation of the poor, formed a hard lump in his throat that no amount of laughter could dislodge.
As days passed, their journey became less about the miles they had covered and more about the struggles they had witnessed. They met families who had lost their men in the mines, orphans who knew no other lives but the one that revolved around the mines, wives who had no other choice but to put on brave smiles and prepare their men for the next day.
In helping these miners, Che discovered another side of himself. This exposure to harsh realities shaped his political awakening. He realized how the systems of power were rooted in exploitation and how the marginalized were the ones paying the price. This awareness of the unjust structures of society pushed him further towards his path of revolution.
As they bid goodbye to the mining communities, Che and Alberto carried with them not just their backpacks but also the weight of the tales they had heard and the scenes they had witnessed. They set forth on their journey, the echoes of the pickaxes still ringing in their ears, and the images of the miners’ faces etched in their minds. They were no more just two friends on an adventure. They had become the vessels of the sorrow and struggle of the forgotten, their hearts burning with the flame of revolution.
Chapter 3 ended not with the fading view of the Andean range but with the firm resolve of Che and Alberto to stand against these injustices. The mountain mirrors reflected the transformation of two young men into carriers of change. For, it was in these mines, amidst the dust and darkness, that the revolutionary inside Che Guevara was born. A revolution that would later echo across the mountains and plains of South America.
Chapter 4: The San Pablo Leper Colony
It was at a bend in the river that the San Pablo leper colony revealed itself. A conglomeration of makeshift dwellings and white clinic buildings, it was a place devoid of typical cheerfulness that marked Peruvian towns. The colony seemed a solemn island of desolation, surrounded by the relentless, omnipresent flow of the amazon river, an apt metaphor for the detachment it symbolized.
Che and Alberto arrived at the colony bringing with them an air of suppressed anticipation. Their hearts bristled with the prospect of practicing their medical skills, but it was the collision with gross human suffering and their consequent reactions that would etch the deepest marks upon their souls.
The leper’s hospital armed with rudimentary medications hardly ample for the extensive needs, and the staff, although compassionate, was significantly outnumbered by patients. This was a place where leprosy was not just a disease. It was discrimination manifested, a societal branding that irrevocably stripped people of their identity and dignity.
To the patients, Che and Alberto were a breath of fresh air, two outsiders who hadn’t yet looked through the lens of stigma. Their initial interaction was filled with a tense curiosity as lines of lepers watched the duo. But it was Che who broke the ice, stretching his hand to touch the lepers, initiating conversations, and treating them with a kindness that had been foreign to them.
In Che’s eyes, lepers were not pariahs, but fellow humans wronged by a society that knew not compassion’s true meaning. This ideology extended to his medical treatments too. He didn’t just prescribe medicine and proclaim the job done but spent time with the patients, listening to their thoughts, sharing in their daily routines. His actions were rooted in empathy, an essential quality that defined him.
Alberto, too, was moved by the plight of the lepers. The jovial man who had filled their journey with laughter and optimism so far discovered a more profound sense of purpose amid the tragedy. He found himself drawn to the children of the colony, spending hours educating them. His actions echoed his inherent belief in education as society’s potential antidote to many ills.
The time spent at the colony forced Che and Alberto to examine the societal constructs that perpetuated suffering. Their experiences there weren’t simply limited to medical practice; they were catalysts of a deeper understanding. It exposed them to the grotesque face of prejudice and discrimination, pulling them further away from their previously complacent beliefs.
One of the most touching moments was when they organized a birthday celebration for Che. Despite their ailments, the lepers came together in a display of love and gratitude, offering gifts that might seem insignificant in economic terms but were immeasurably valuable in their emotional worth. In this moment, a bond was solidified, one that broke the conventional doctor-patient relationship, replacing it with something far more profound.
As Che and Alberto departed from the San Pablo leper colony, they carried with them not just medical experiences but a radical shift in consciousness. The suffering they had witnessed was not confined to those affected by leprosy; it was a symptom of a broader societal disease of indifference and inequality.
It was in San Pablo that the seeds of revolution within Che began to sprout. His interactions with the lepers led him to question societal norms and institutions that were proving to be more destructive than the disease itself.
And so, the journey continued, but not as a simple voyage of discovery and adventure. It had transformed into an awakening, a realization of societal ills that required a cure far more potent than any medicine. In the misery of the San Pablo Leper Colony, Che found his calling, not just as a healer of bodies but as a radical reformer daring enough to intrude upon the status quo.
Chapter 5: Awakening Hearts
The San Pablo Leper Colony was a world apart. Nestled at the edge of the mighty Amazon, it was populated by figures who, forgotten by society, had made peace with the solitude and the shadows. Alberto and Che, having been embraced by these souls, were now entrenched in the daily life of the colony.
Every morning melodious harmonies echoed across the colony, signaling the start of the day. Breakfast was a communal affair, coupled with laughter, shared stories and plans for the day. Che and Alberto, although initially stuck out like sore thumbs, had gradually become part of this unusual family. Being medicine practitioners, they found themselves attending to the medical needs of the patients. The sight of Che, with his stethoscope around his neck, interacting with patients, bearing no fear of their contagious condition was stirring. It was as if the looming disease that hung in the air, suffocating everyone else, was invisible to him.
The afternoons were often spent in the soccer field, where patients and caretakers alike shed their inhibitions for the love of the game. The green field was their sanctuary, their escape from the disease that had so cruelly marked them as outcasts. Alberto, with his charismatic spirits, was instantly a hit among the players, and Che was not far behind. The duo played with fervor, sweat glistening down their faces, their joyous laughter replacing the melancholy air of the colony.
Che spent his evenings mainly pondering, his thoughts sailing through the vast Amazon. The disparity between the privileged few and the neglected masses had begun to profoundly affect him. The societal norms that dictated a leper’s place in humanity seemed absurd, illogical. Why should anyone be an outcast because of their medical condition? The echo of that question reverberated in the depths of his heart, refusing to be quelled.
The biggest event of their stay had been the celebration of Che’s 24th birthday. The colony had thrown a feast, the sights and smells of which would stay etched in the duo’s memories. There had been food, music, and laughter, a stark contrast to the grimness they had anticipated when they first arrived. One particular moment of the day was especially significant – when a patient, Ana, had presented Che with a token of affection – a tiny paper flower. Che’s acceptance of it with a bright smile had ignited a cacophony of cheers, the sound echoing through the Amazon long into the night.
Yet, amidst all the comfort and camaraderie, there was a disquiet in them. They could not help but notice the absence of government aid and the ongoing exploitation of the patients. It was as if the colony was left to fend for itself, a forgotten ship adrift in the Amazon’s wilderness. And they, ironically, were the lucky ones, they had found an island to call home.
As days wore on, the harsh realities of the world bore down upon them, making them question their beliefs, their society, and their purpose. The transformation was gradual, almost imperceptible. The carefree medical students were evolving into something more conscious, more aware of their surroundings, more empathetic towards their fellow human beings.
Their last night at the leper colony was a mix of sweet and sour. The patients threw them a farewell feast, a feast that was lively, filled with robust laughter, and teary eyes. Memories were shared, promises were made, and Che and Alberto were laden with well-wishes and prayers. Yet, the undercurrent of sadness was palpable. They had found a family in the unlikeliest of places and saying goodbye had never been harder.
This chapter of their journey ended on a poignant note. It was a vivid reminder of their privilege, and a glaring demonstration of the harsh social divide. It had stirred something within Che, sowing the seeds of rebellion against the injustices of society. The leper colony and its residents had etched their love and their struggles onto Che’s heart and it was this awakening of the heart that would lead to the emergence of Che, the revolutionary. The journey of the duo was far from over, but the experiences of San Pablo leper colony had ignited a restless flame within Che’s heart. He was no longer just a medical student exploring South America; he was on the brink of becoming something more, something extraordinary. He was on the path to becoming a voice for the voiceless, a beacon of hope for the downtrodden.
Chapter 6: The Amazon Encounter
The morning sun glimmered on the Amazon River as Che and Alberto waved goodbye to the San Pablo leper colony. They had left a part of their hearts there, steered by the intense human connections they had formed. Now, their journey took them deeper into the Amazon Rainforest, leading them towards an encounter that would further shape their political awakening.
“Look at this, Che,” Alberto would often exclaim, gazing at the endless forest that sprawled around them. It felt like an unending, undulating sea of trees, where human-perceived time seemed to fold into the heartbeat of the earth. Alberto was captivated by the stunning spectacle, while Che found himself drawn towards the stories the forest whispered. The wilderness echoed with the voices of the Quechua people, residing deep within the Amazon folds. This vast green expanse concealed socio-political undercurrents even more complex than it seemed on the surface.
They arrived at a rubber plantation, where they found a group of Quechua men working under extreme conditions. Their faces were lined with exhaustion, bodies fatigued by relentless hours of labor. “These men supply most of the world’s rubber, yet they live their life in abject poverty,” Alberto noted, his voice etched with concern. Che was equally disturbed, his face reflecting the anguish that swept over him. It was a pitiful sight, indeed, but even more disturbing was the acceptance that had set in the eyes of the Quechuas. They seemed to have accepted their fate, which only fueled Che’s resolve.
Che couldn’t help but admire the Quechua’s resilience, their spirit of survival. They were like the rainforest itself—enduring, adaptive, and eternally giving. However, it also made him realize the extent of exploitation these people were subjected to.
Che’s mind kept returning to the image of a young Quechua girl he had met. Her eyes, large and curious, held a universe of untold stories. Her innocence was in stark contrast to the labor she was burdened with. It was a glaring testament to the systemic inequalities that had chained her people for generations.
In the following days, Che found himself engaging with the Quechuas more. He would sit with them during their meal breaks, trying to understand their perspective. His limited Quechua was often a source of amusement for the workers, but it brought them closer. Amid shared laughter and broken conversations, Che discovered a community that was humble, warm, and rich with cultural wisdom, yet shackled by their circumstance.
The more he interacted with the Quechuas, the more his conviction strengthened. He kept jotting down his thoughts, debates, and observations in his journal. Each word penned down was a step towards his revolution. His heart brimmed with discontentment, fueling a burning desire for social and economic justice.
When it was time to leave the Quechua plantation, Alberto and Che shared a quiet moment as they prepared. They had seen a lot throughout their journey, but this experience had stirred something deep within them. As they rode away, Che cast one last glance at the place. The faces of the Quechua men, the young girl, and the endless greenery were etched deep in his memory, serving as a constant reminder of the need for social reform.
As they set off towards their next destination, Alberto turned towards Che. He could see a change in his friend’s demeanor. Che’s eyes held a certain determination, his face hardened by the realities they’d encountered. Alberto knew, the man riding beside him was not just a curious medical student anymore.
The Amazon encounter left a profound impact on Che, igniting his path towards becoming a revolutionary. He was a vessel, filled not only with the sublime beauty of the Amazon but also its harsh realities. It was an encounter that marked a pivotal chapter in Che’s life—a chapter filled with awakening, resolve, and rebellion, setting the stage for the revolutionary icon he was about to become.
Chapter 7: Revolutionary Resolve
As the road started to dissolve into oblivion and each landscape morphed into another, the two young adventurers, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara and his best friend Alberto Granado, felt a tug in their stomach. The end of their euphoric journey across South America was near. They found themselves in the bustling heart of Caracas, Venezuela, a city smudged with the hues of paradoxical poverty and affluence.
Their old, beaten motorcycle- La Poderosa, a potent symbol of their adventurous spirit and stubborn resilience, stood silent – a mute spectator to a changing destiny. The motorcycle, which was once an emblem of their freedom, was now just a reminder of ironies they had witnessed in the vast landscapes of South America.
In standing here at the edge of their journey, Che was on the brink of a significant transformation, a metamorphosis induced by countless experiences and residues of the past. He had witnessed the stark abyss of poverty, the tarnished glow of riches, and the plight of the oppressed. Each encounter was not a transient passage of time but a seed sown deep into the fertile soil of Che’s consciousness.
The memories of the impoverished miners up in the cold Andean mountains were still fresh in their minds, resonating with images of man’s fight against nature and the struggle for survival. The visit to the San Pablo leper colony had unfolded a panorama of societal stigma and discrimination that continued to haunt them. The strength of the lepers, fighting not just the disease but also the societal ostracism, had ignited a blazing fire of rebellion in Che.
In the heart of the Amazon, they had encountered the exploited Quechua people, their spirits crushed under the weight of the oppressive rubber industry. Che had felt their despair seeping into his veins, their dreams, stripped bare, mirrored in his teary eyes. Every smile, every tear, every dimly lit hope was etched into his soul, becoming an indelible part of his existence.
The bustling city of Caracas served as a contrasting backdrop. The city’s vibrancy couldn’t mask the deep fissures of class disparity. Here, the elite relished luxury while the poor languished in squalor. The sharp divide was a physical manifestation of society’s moral decay and the need for a change.
“Alberto, we’re not just standing at the end of our journey. I believe we’re standing on the precipice of a revolution,” Che’s voice was filled with a profound resolution. Alberto looked at his friend, his eyes shrouded with concern, but he remained silent, knowing too well the fiery spirit of Che couldn’t be quenched.
At this defining moment, Che felt a calling. His medical training and his inherent empathy for the downtrodden had awoken within him a sense of purpose, a desire to rectify these wrongs. He yearned to be the catalyst that would set off a chain reaction, resulting in a systemic change in society.
A symphony of thoughts played in Che’s mind. Each thought was a powerful note, contributing to an overwhelming melody of revolution. It was a tune that promised of battles, sacrifices, and eventual victory. It was the birth of a revolutionary resolve, a commitment that would alter the course of history.
The days that followed marked the parting of ways for Che and Alberto. Alberto decided to return to Argentina, his heart heavy with the memory of their shared journey, while Che, with a newfound sense of purpose, decided to stay behind in Caracas.
As they bid each other farewell, a new chapter in Ernesto’s life was about to be inked, one that would etch his name in the annals of history. The journey had ended, but the story was far from over. The young man, who embarked on an adventure to explore South America, was now ready to revolutionize it. The transformation from Ernesto to Che had begun.
Chapter 7 was not just an end to an epic journey. It marked the dawn of a saga that would span continents, that would shake the very foundation of unjust social structures and awaken a global consciousness. This was the birth of ‘Che,’ the revolutionary who would become a beacon of hope for the oppressed and a harbinger of change.
Chapter 8: A Farewell to Alberto
With the sprawling city of Caracas stretching out before them, Che and Alberto’s journey had reached its final juncture. The engine of La Poderosa had long succumbed to the strain, but the spirit of their journey echoed in the pulsating streets of the city. Adventure had transformed into an awakening, and now, their paths diverged.
Alberto, the pragmatic biochemist, was yearning for the familiarity of Buenos Aires. His heart was heavy, burdened by the memories of exploited miners, marginalized lepers, and the plight of the Quechuan natives. He yearned to put his knowledge to work to mend these injustices in his own way. Yet, for Che, the journey had sparked a flame that refused to extinguish.
Caracas, buzzing with promise and potential, held Che captive. His heart swelled with revolutionary dreams, fueled by the intense concoction of injustice and hope that he had encountered throughout their journey. For him, it was not the end; it was a new beginning. Their farewell was imminent, but neither dared to voice it.
One evening, amidst the hum of Caracas nightlife, the conversation took an unexpected turn. As the record player crooned a charming tango, Alberto, with a sigh, voiced his intention to return home. His words hung heavy in the tobacco-scented air. After a long silence, Che replied, “I think I’ll stay a while longer.”
Alberto looked up, surprise etched in his features. He stared at Che for a long moment, trying to find the young medical student he had left Buenos Aires with. Instead, he found a man, hardened by experience, with a spark of revolution in his eyes.
Their farewell was heartfelt, and tinged with uncertain anticipation. They reminisced about their escapades, the sleepless nights fixing their motorcycle, the warmth of the people they had met. Each memory was a cobbled stone in the winding path they had traversed together.
As Alberto boarded the ship back to Buenos Aires, he looked back at Che, who stood on the dock, a solitary figure against the sprawling cityscape. A sense of foreboding gripped Alberto. He realised this marked a divergence not just in their paths, but also in their ideologies. The man on the dock was no longer just Ernesto, the medical student, but Che, the Revolutionary.
Back in Caracas, Che plunged into the fervour of the city. He buried himself in political debates, volunteer work, and nights that turned into dawn as he scribbled relentlessly in his diary. He penned what he had witnessed, what he had learnt, but more importantly, what needed to change.
This chapter of separation was more than just a pause in their friendship; it was a juncture where the boy Che had been and the man he was becoming stood at odds. It was here, in the sprawling cityscape of Caracas, that Che was reborn.
The farewell to Alberto was necessary, not merely for the geographical distance to Buenos Aires, but more for the ideological journey Che was embarking on. It was a farewell to innocence, a farewell to the uncomplicated simplicity of youth, and an embrace of the uncomfortable truths he had witnessed.
In the chaos of Caracas, Che was shedding the remnants of his past to make way for the future. In the grand scheme of things, Alberto’s departure marked not an end, but a powerful birth. The birth of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, the Revolutionary. A man whose legacy would echo through the corridors of history long after the echoes of La Poderosa had faded.
Chapter 9: The Birth of a Revolutionary
The chapter opens with Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara sitting on a rusty, corroded bus making its way back to Argentina, thousands of miles away from where he parted ways with Alberto in Caracas. He watches the landscape change, mirroring his own transformation. With a heavy heart and a mind teeming with revolutionary ideas, he looks over the fields, rivers, and people he’s now intrinsically connected to. Each serves as a testament to the experiences he has lived, the lessons he has learned, and the purpose he has discovered.
As Buenos Aires comes into view, it’s as if Che is seeing his home through a new lens. The city appears to him not as the familiar hometown, but as a microcosm of the socioeconomic disparities he has witnessed all across South America. The affluent dining in luxury while countless others languish in poverty. The stark contrasts serve as a painful reminder of the injustices he’s vowed to combat.
Che’s time at home is spent wrestling with the memories of his journey. The striking tableau of the Andean miners stained with the dust of their labor. The warmth of the lepers at San Pablo, their smiles cutting through the stigma society had shackled them with. The exploitation of the Quechua people, their rich heritage overshadowed by the greed of the rubber industry. Each memory a spark, igniting the fire of revolution within him.
In the quiet solitude of his room, between the pages of worn-out medical books, Che sketches out the first outlines of his revolutionary ideals. He visualizes a changed world – one free from oppression and exploitation, where every man is treated with the dignity he deserves. His mind teems with strategies of uprising against the bourgeois, the blueprints of a new social order.
But it’s not just strategies and uprisings that occupy his mind. Che recalls the individuals he met – the leper whose hand he shook, the miner whose wound he bandaged, the Quechua child whose laughter echoed in the Amazon. They are the faces of his revolution, the embodiment of the spirit he’s fighting for. They are his people, their dreams interwoven with his, their hopes fuelling his resolve.
Realizing the enormity of the task he’s undertaking, Che experiences moments of doubt. But each wave of uncertainty only strengthens his determination, reminding him of the social barricades he’s committed to break down. A newfound purpose carves itself into his soul – a purpose that’s larger than himself, more potent than any fear or doubt.
As his ideological convictions consolidate, Che’s transformation into a revolutionary becomes complete. His medical career, the journey across South America, his experiences with Alberto – they had all converged to this point, shaping him into the man ready to challenge the status quo. The man who would be known to the world as Che, the revolutionary.
Che departs from Buenos Aires once again, but this time, he carries a different dream. His battered motorcycle has been replaced by the conviction in his stride, his medical bag by a manifesto of social reform, and his heart pulses with the rhythm of revolution.
Ending the chapter, the bus carries Che further away from his home, into the heart of the unknown. Yet, as the lights of Buenos Aires fade into the distance, Che feels an undeniable connection to the land and its people. A connection forged in the fires of empathy and steeled in the crucible of revolution. His struggles have only just begun; his journey towards freedom and equality is far from over.
But no matter the challenges, Che knows he will persist, for his fight is not just his, but of every miner, leper, and Quechua child he met on his journey. With the echoes of their dreams in his ears and the memories of his journey etched into his heart, he moves forward. The end of one journey marks the beginning of another, the birth of ‘Che’, the iconic revolutionary.
Some scenes from the movie The Motorcycle Diaries written by A.I.
Scene 1
FADE IN:
EXT. BUENOS AIRES – ERNESTO ‘CHE’ GUEVARA’S HOUSE – DAY
Ernesto ‘Che’ GUEVARA, a young medical student, is packing his bag. His best friend ALBERTO GRANADO, a biochemist, leans against ‘La Poderosa’, their loaded, rickety Norton 500 motorcycle.
ALBERTO:
(Grins)
Ready for the journey of a lifetime, Ernesto?
Ernesto seals his bag and looks at Alberto, a hint of excitement in his eyes.
ERNESTO:
(chuckles)
As ready as I’ll ever be, Alberto.
They share a laugh and load up the last of their supplies onto the bike.
EXT. BUENOS AIRES – STREET – DAY
Ernesto and Alberto ride through the bustling city street, saying goodbye to their familiar surroundings.
FLASHBACK:
INT. ERNESTO’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Ernesto’s MOTHER helps him pack, a sad smile on her face.
MOTHER:
(Beaming)
Take care of yourself, my son.
BACK TO PRESENT:
Ernesto looks back at his home, a sense of determination in his eyes.
ERNESTO:
(To himself)
I will, Mother.
They ride into the distance, the sounds of Buenos Aires fading behind them.
FADE OUT:
TO BE CONTINUED…
Scene 2
INT. CHE’S APARTMENT – MORNING
Alberto, a charismatic and witty biochemist in his late 20s, stands in Che’s modestly furnished apartment. Che, a thoughtful and ambitious medical student, finishes packing his belongings, a spark of excitement radiating from his gaze.
Alberto hands Che an old, worn-out map of South America.
ALBERTO
(Grinning)
Here, we might need this.
Che chuckles, accepting the map and folds it into his bag.
EXT. BUENOS AIRES STREET – MORNING
A rusty motorcycle, christened La Poderosa, stands on the street. Che and Alberto mount it, Alberto in the driver’s seat. They exchange a look of anticipation before Alberto kick-starts the motorcycle. It ROARS into life.
EXT. ARGENTINE COUNTRYSIDE – DAY
The duo rides down the dusty path, leaving Buenos Aires behind. La Poderosa wheezes and sputters intermittently but Alberto always revives it, not losing his spirit.
EXT. ROUGH TERRAIN – DAY
The terrain gets tougher, straining both the riders and La Poderosa. Che struggles to maintain his grip. Suddenly, the motorcycle skids, throwing both men off into the dirt.
ALBERTO
(Laughs)
Well, she has quite a spirit!
Che, amused, nods as they get up, dust themselves, and restart their journey, fueled by their unbroken spirit. The journey – and the struggle – has only just begun.
FADE OUT.
Scene 3
FADE IN:
EXT. ANDEAN MOUNTAINS – DAY
A dusty road cutting through the rocky Andean mountains. CHE GUEVARA (young, stubborn, compassionate) and ALBERTO GRANADO (older, wiser, adventurous) are pushing their battered motorcycle up a steep incline.
ALBERTO
(grunting)
Why again did we think this was a good idea?
CHE
(smiling)
For the adventure!
As they reach the top, they look down into a valley where a MINING COMMUNITY is hard at work in harsh conditions.
CUT TO:
EXT. MINING COMMUNITY – DAY
Che and Alberto walk through the community, observing the miners – men, women, and even children – covered in dust, coughing violently.
MINER 1
(to Che)
Do you have medicine?
CHE
(looking at his small medical kit)
I’ll do my best.
INT. SMALL COMMUNITY HUT – DAY
Che is treating MINER 2, an elderly man with a persistent cough. Alberto is helping by handing out medicine.
MINER 3
(approaching Alberto)
Are you doctors?
ALBERTO
(nods)
We’re here to help.
Che looks up, meeting eyes with a YOUNG MINER GIRL, dirty and malnourished. He blinks, deeply affected by her condition.
FADE OUT:
TO BE CONTINUED…
The scene ends with a hint of what’s to come. Che’s encounter with the children in harsh conditions leaves a profound impact on him, setting up for his political awakening in the chapters to come.
Scene 4
FADE IN:
INT. SAN PABLO LEPER COLONY – DAY
A SIGN reads: “San Pablo Leper Colony”. We can hear the faint HUM of conversations and the occasional LAUGHTER of children playing.
ALBERTO (mid-30s, bearded, tired) and CHE (early 20s, fresh-faced, intense) walk slowly down a dusty road, seeing the colony for the first time.
NURSE JULIA, (40s, stern yet kind), approaches.
NURSE JULIA
(as she walks near)
Your credentials?
ALBERTO
(Handing over papers)
Doctors from Argentina. We’ve come a long way.
Nurse Julia inspects them, waves to a GUARD to let them through.
INT. SAN PABLO LEPER COLONY – LATER
We see the LEPERS with bandaged limbs, some missing fingers and toes. Everybody is segregated by a RIVER. The doctors live on one side, the patients on the other.
Che walks over towards patients, extends a hand to a little GIRL.
CHE
(to himself)
There’s more than a river separating these people.
Che shakes her hand, no gloves, no fear. The colony watches in stunned silence. He crosses an invisible boundary.
GIRL
(whispering)
Thank you, sir.
INT. SAN PABLO LEPER COLONY – NIGHT
Back in their quarters, both doctors reflect on the day. Alberto looks worried, Che seems contemplative.
ALBERTO
(slightly frustrated)
Che, you can’t change the rules here.
CHE
(resolute)
But we can change how we play the game, Alberto.
FADE OUT.
Scene 5
INT. SAN PABLO LEPER COLONY – DAY
Che (early 20s, bearded, thoughtful eyes) and Alberto (early 20s, bulky, cherubic face) walk towards the leper colony buildings. The buildings are dilapidated, with patients looking on curiously.
ALBERTO
(whispering)
Any second thoughts, doctor?
CHE
(regarding the patients)
Our work begins here, Alberto.
They approach a crowd of LEPROSY PATIENTS. All eyes are on them. Che extends his bare hand to a PATIENT.
CHE
(smiling)
Pleased to meet you.
The patient is stunned but shakes Che’s hand. Alberto follows suit, his apprehension replaced by determination. The crowd murmurs with disbelief.
LATER
EXT. SAN PABLO LEPER COLONY – FOOTBALL FIELD – DAY
Che and Alberto are playing football with the patients, their laughter echoing. The colony comes alive with joy and merriment.
EVENING
Alberto, Che and the patients celebrate Che’s BIRTHDAY around a make-shift fire. They share stories, and a birthday cake made of bread and an artless candle.
CHE
(to Alberto)
I never knew I’d celebrate my birthday with such wonderful people.
ALBERTO
You’ve taught us that they are not just patients, but humans. Our friends.
They share a look of understanding and camaraderie. The colony hums with newfound hope. Che’s eyes are thoughtful, the fire reflecting off them.
FADE OUT.
