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Almost 2025, but My Heart Is Still on the Road (and at the Mechanic’s!)

The Year 2024 Is Almost Over

Here I am, on December 30, 2024, at the office, using my lunch break to philosophize about life... and the road, of course. Between one task and another, my mind has already drifted toward that endless horizon. It’s inevitable: years of escaping to the road whenever I can.

I love my job, but let’s be honest: work obligations are very different from exploration. If I could do only what I love in my profession, I wouldn’t be studying how to meet the latest government requirements. I’d be, I don’t know, exploring the world with a roaring V8 engine behind me.

But back to what matters: the destination is set. Next month, I’m heading to Uruguay. I’ve invited a few friends, and I’ll meet others along the way. Who knows how long my spirit will keep this urge to roam? But as long as I have health and fuel in the tank, bring on the roads.

My garage is my little paradise, full of dreams on wheels. And there’s no such thing as “show cars” here: all of them have been through adventures, from random city drives to international trips, and even track days. I can’t hide it: I’m a motorhead. But it’s when the engine meets the open road that my heart truly races.

Speaking of trips, the next one is just around the corner. The Dodge Charger ’69 is almost ready. It’s my faithful partner, though sometimes it seems to enjoy challenging me more than cooperating. At this point, my good friend (and mechanic) João Macedo is the real guardian angel. I invited him for part of the trip, but he replied with a smile that said: If you need me, give me a call.

Now I just need to adjust the headlight height—they’re still set to light up the birds’ feet—and fix the alternator belt, which insists on coming loose after 200 adjustments. But it’ll all work out—or so I hope. If not, my wrench and I already share an intimate relationship.

So, if you see a Dodge Charger ’69 tearing up the roads in Brazil or Uruguay in the coming months, chances are it’s me. Feel free to stop, call me over for a coffee, or share some great stories. I love stories. I really do. Just don’t expect me to fix the belt mid-conversation.

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