My first roadtrip was all because of a girl– my mother. I was only 14 years old then in my 2nd year of high school when she sent me on an errand to deliver a package for my grandfather. The problem was we were living in South Cotabato then and my grandfather’s place is in Butuan, Agusan Del Norte. Check out the map below to see how far that is. I would tell you all about that trip some other time. Suffice it to say that, that was the first solo road trip I did.

Click on Mindanao Map to Enlarge

In between that time until the present, life happened. I went through the motions of living and never thought about road trips again. That is until I became an addict.

Before I really sank my teeth into blogging, or traveling, I had one migraine-inducing addiction. No, I didn’t have to pierce my skin with a needle or puff the magic dragon, I just park my butt on the sofa and turn on my DVD player. I would watch movies non-stop, sometimes watching 5 movies in a row!

I guess that was my escape from a life that’s very ordinary.

Then something happened that reunited me with my wanderlust.

During my college days, I was one of those idealistic college boys who thought they could solve the world’s problem by taking to the streets. One of my heroes then was the guy everyone considered to be the world’s truest revolutionary. His name was Ernesto Guevarra De La Serna, more popularly known by tshirt makers and the world over by the name Che Guevarra. Yes that’s the guy.

I was then into one of my movie marathons when I started watching a DVD that a friend highly recommended. The movie’s title was Diarios De Motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries). I didn’t know what it was about at the time, but after watching the movie, I felt that I would no longer be content spending hours on my couch while the world passes me by. My wanderlust had returned.

Alright, too much segue there. Since I’ve been writing all about road trips these days as a filler for my next trip, here are four very good movies about road trips that I really enjoyed. I hope you get the chance to watch them.

The Motorcycle Diaries is an adaptation of a journal written by Ernesto “Che” Guevara de la Serna when he was 23 years old. He and his friend, Alberto Granado are typical college students who, seeking fun and adventure before graduation, decide to travel across Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela in order to do their medical residency at a leper colony. Beginning as a buddy/road movie in which Ernesto and Alberto are looking for chicks, fun and adventure before they must grow up and have a more serious life. As is said in the film itself, it’s about “two lives running parallel for a while.” The two best friends start off with the same goals and aspirations, but by the time the film is over, it’s clear what each man’s destiny has become. Written by bondish, <via IMDB>

This movie starred Gael Garcia Bernal and Rodrigo De La serna. By the way, this movie won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film in 2004.

Memorable Lines:

“What we had in common – our restlessness, our impassioned spirits, and a love for the open road.”

“How is it possible to feel nostalgia for a world I never knew?”

Y Tu Mama También (Talk To Her) - Abandoned by their girlfriends for the summer, teenagers Tenoch and Julio meet the older Luisa at a wedding. Trying to be impressive, the friends tell Luisa they are headed on a road trip to a beautiful, secret beach called Boca del Cielo. Intrigued with their story and desperate to escape, Luisa asks if she can join them on their trip. Soon the three are headed out of Mexico City, making their way toward the fictional destination. Along the way, seduction, argument and the contrast of the trio against the harsh realities of the surrounding poverty ensue. Written by Sujit R. Varma <via IMDB>

Gael Garcia Bernal is again on this one, so is Diego Luna and Ana Lopez Mercado. Another Oscar nominee this one, 2001.

Memorable Lines

“Life is like the surf, so give yourself away like the sea.”

“Truth is cool but unattainable… the truth is totally amazing, but you can’t ever reach it.”

Into The Wild – Based on a true story. After graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandoned his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters who shape his life. Written by Lisa Kelley <via IMDB>

Into The Wild stars Emile Hirsch (Speedracer), and even a short appearance by Kristine Stewart (Twilight). Nominated for an Oscar, 2007. Word of caution, this one’s a heartbreaker.

Memorable Lines

“I will miss you too, but you are wrong if you think that the joy of life comes principally from the joy of human relationships. God’s place is all around us, it is in everything and in anything we can experience. People just need to change the way they look at things.”

“It should not be denied that being footloose has always exhilarated us. It is associated in our minds with escape from history and oppression and law and irksome obligations. Absolute freedom. And the road has always led west.”

Road Trip – Josh and Tiffany have been together since they were kids. ENTER Beth, a sexy blonde going to college with Josh. One night, Josh and Beth hook up and make a videotape the same day that Josh plans to mail a video to Tiffany of him talking about college life. The wrong tape gets sent, forcing Josh, along with a few pals, to go to Austin, where Tiffany is, and stop her from seeing the tape. Full of laughs, you’ll be sure to enjoy Road Trip. Written by Zac Abrams <via IMDB>

This movie is hilarious. I still watch it every now and then and yet I still laugh all over again. Reunited me with Twisted Sisters. This was not nominated for an Oscar.

Memorable Lines

“Think about it Josh, you’re in college. The window of opportunity to drink and do drugs and take advantage of young girls is getting smaller by the day.”

Classic Conversation in the Movie

E.L.: Well, there are these rules that guys have, an understanding as to what exactly constitutes cheating. Take your situation for example: it’s not cheating. It’s never cheating when you’re in a different area code, not to mention a different state.

Kyle: That makes no sense.

E.L.: Hey, don’t look at me Kyle, OK, I didn’t make up the rules.

Rubin: No no, this is legit, I- I’ve actually read an article about this. There’s a whole bunch of them, it’s like- they’re like loopholes. Right, for argument’s sake, let’s say that you were sleeping with two girls at the same time, it- it wouldn’t be cheating because they would cancel each other out.

E.L.: Exactly. Or if, uh, you’re too wasted to remember- it is not cheating. Because if you can’t really remember it, it never really took place.

ENJOY THESE MOVIES!!

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