Today, I have one of those stories to tell—a thrilling adventure on wheels. But first, let me introduce the other half of this tale—my partner in all things, my wife Talita. Together, with the spirit of daredevils and a map in hand (yes, a smartphone counts as a map), we decided to embark on a crazy journey: driving from Goiânia to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Oh, and of course, coming back too. After all, every action movie needs an epic finale, right?
Now, do this: close your eyes and imagine a 1965 Buick Wildcat, its V8 engine purring and ready to cross borders with style. A dream, isn’t it? Well, it stayed a dream. The Buick, with surgical precision, decided to go on strike a day before our trip. The radiator—perhaps intimidated by Argentine empanadas—burst. Damn radiator!
What was left for us? To ditch the glamour and rely on our trusty steed: a 1992 Chevrolet Monza Barcelona. It wasn’t as flashy as the Buick, but it made up for it with reliability, comfort, and, with some optimism, the soul of a lion (or at least a grumpy cat).
But I’m no fool. I assembled a pit stop-worthy emergency kit for the Monza: fuel pump, water pump, belts, brake hoses, spark plugs, cables, bulbs, distributor cap… And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! With everything ready, it was time to hit the road!
The first stop? A warm farewell to the authentic flavors of Goiânia’s cuisine at Caipirão in Goiatuba-GO. It was a nearly religious send-off—you know what I mean—before heading to Ribeirão Preto. And what a place, my friends! We visited Colorado Brewery, redefining what it means to “enjoy beer.” We tried no less than eight types of draft beer and left with lighter steps and fuller hearts. Before anyone accuses me of recklessness, let me clarify: we NEVER drink and drive. Taxi and Uber were our allies for that epic tasting night!
The journey had just begun, and our next stop was Monte Verde, MG. Ah, Monte Verde… Its unparalleled charm enveloped us in a fairy tale-like mist. To make everything even more magical, I prepared a special surprise for Talita at the hotel: wine, chocolates, and other treats. Romantic vibe? Absolutely. Talita was over the moon—thanks for the tip, Thiagão! That night, even with the rain, we decided to explore the town. I’ll admit: it had been so long since I’d used an umbrella that I almost forgot how to open it.
We stopped in Registro-SP to replace the tires and soon arrived in Blumenau-SC. There, we reunited with the great Rafael Barouki and his Dodge Charger, which roared through the streets like a caged beast. He gave us a city tour and prepared us for the main event: OktoberFest. Beer, dancing, laughter, and more—all conveniently near our stay at the Vila Germânica. We also met up with our friends from Brasília, Arley and Karla, who joined us for part of the journey. Good times!
It was in Porto Alegre that our brave Monza began to show it wasn’t invincible. Upon reaching the hotel, we noticed a leaky hose. With no quick fix available, we turned the problem into an opportunity: an amazing night at The Raven, because life’s too short not to toast the unexpected. The next day, our hero of the day appeared: Paulo, the mechanic at Top Stop. That pesky hose was a nightmare to replace—one of those that require dismantling half the engine bay. Now I understood why the mechanic back in Goiânia ignored it.
But Paulo was practically a ninja mechanic and fixed everything in record time. With the Monza repaired, we hit the road again, but not before enjoying lunch at Bar do Beto. Folks, that meat! It seemed like it was cooked by the gods. I discovered a new side of Porto Alegre that left me eager to return.
We headed toward Picada Café-RS, but not without a strategic stop in Ivoti-RS. The reason? Cachaça, my friend! Maybe you didn’t know, but the region boasts some of Brazil’s most award-winning spirits. With the Monza humming and the wind in our faces, we continued our journey full of anticipation.
In Picada Café, the trip began to take on a more international tone. There, we reunited with our friends Alberto and Lu, and I had the joy of seeing little Frederico, who seemed to have grown 20 centimeters since our last meeting. The night was warm, filled with good conversations and memories. Oh, and the gift from Alberto—a Chevrolet keychain—is still with me today, hanging on the Monza’s key as a lucky charm.
The Serra Gaúcha always captivates me, and Nova Petrópolis was the next stop on this odyssey. The town looked like a postcard from Germany. Alberto took us to a charming restaurant where, to my surprise, the patrons were conversing in German. It felt like being in Europe, minus the jet lag.
Talita, with her ever-tuned fashion radar, took the opportunity to snag an irresistible collection of shoes. Meanwhile, I rediscovered Fruki soda, which transported me straight back to my childhood with that nostalgic taste reminiscent of the good old Baré. The trip was at its peak, and the Monza pressed on, as if it understood the weight of carrying so many great stories.
The journey to Santa Maria was packed with local flavors, highlighted by the authentic Xis-Gaúcho, served from street carts that had always piqued my curiosity. I must say, it didn’t disappoint! With our appetites satisfied, we headed to Uruguaiana, where the anticipation of crossing the border into Argentina took over.
Upon entering the land of the hermanos, the first surprise: gasoline. Cheaper than in Brazil, it felt like a dream for any driver. But not everything was rosy. The savings came with a challenge: a widespread fuel shortage caused by the frenzy of Brazilians and Uruguayans crossing the border just to fill up. Organized chaos, to say the least.
We moved on to Concordia, a charming town on the banks of the Uruguay River. The breathtaking scenery captivated us, but the river, which was dangerously overflowing, added a dose of unease to the local tranquility. Still, it was a pleasant pause before reaching our main destination: Buenos Aires.
Arriving in Buenos Aires was a milestone in our journey. The Argentine capital, with its vibrant charm and unmatched energy, welcomed us with open arms. But, as any good story requires a dash of drama, the Monza began emitting a suspicious noise. We decided to adopt the philosophy of “we’ll deal with it later” and explored the city by taxi—mechanical problems could wait, but empanadas could not.
Buenos Aires had it all: culture, cuisine, wine... And speaking of wine, we stocked up like professional oenophiles. The city also brought a family reunion: my brother Vinícius and my sister-in-law Elaine joined the fun. Together, we explored the renowned AutoClasica exhibition. What a spectacle! The classic cars transported us to another era. It’s considered one of the largest vintage car exhibitions in Latin America, and I can assure you it lives up to the title.
Want to see what happened at AutoClasica 2023? Check it out here: www.autoclasica.com/ac2023enfotos.
Immersing ourselves in the local culture was another highlight. We visited the Boca Juniors stadium and were mesmerized by a street musician who seemed straight out of an Argentine novela. He played "Adios Nonino" with such mastery that it left me speechless. At every corner, Buenos Aires revealed more of its allure, and we savored every moment.
In Goiânia, it might have been called “Cirrhosis Square,” but in Buenos Aires, Plaza Serrano sounded much more sophisticated, didn’t it? It was there that we bid farewell to the city with one last dose of its bohemian charm. Sadly, like all good things, the adventure had to come to an end. Loaded with memories, wines, and a grumbling Monza, we prepared for the journey back. The mysterious noise from the car was still a concern, but we decided to face it with caution and optimism. The road is unforgiving, but it also rewards the brave.
The return trip began with its share of escapades. We nearly ran out of gas on one stretch, crossed paths with fellow classic car enthusiasts, and faced the most contradictory phase of the journey: the return, with its mixed feelings of wanting to get home but not wanting the adventure to end.
In Uruguaiana, we made our first stop to address the Monza’s issue: the front wheel bearing seal. Lucky for us, Monza parts seem to fall from the sky, and we managed to resolve the problem quickly. I silently thanked the universe it wasn’t something more serious. However, the combination of rain and overflowing rivers nearly turned our return into a remake of “Noah’s Ark.”
Upon reaching Ijuí, the Monza decided to play another trick on us: one of the engine seals leaked. It was one of those moments where you want to laugh and cry simultaneously. Thankfully, we were near a repair shop, and Elias from Elias Car saved the day with Formula 1-worthy efficiency. The unexpected stop allowed us to discover that the city was hosting an ethnic exhibition. However, the rain made us swap the event for the hotel bed—no regrets.
After that, the journey continued without major incidents through Cascavel and São José do Rio Preto. The next day, as we finally crossed into Goiânia, the joy and relief of being home were indescribable. With the trunk overloaded, the rear of the car nearly scraping the ground, and a sense of mission accomplished: that’s how we ended this journey. In 20 days, we covered approximately 7,200 km, with a Monza full of stories (and shopping) and an untouched emergency kit—thankfully! We already felt the call of the road again because, in the end, the adventure never truly ends. It just waits for the next horizon.
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