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Adventure by Chicken Bus: An Unschooling Odyssey through Central America
Embarking on a homeschooling field trip to Central America is stressful enough, but add in perilous bridge crossings, trips to the hospital, and a lack of women’s underwear, and you have the makings of an Adventure by Chicken Bus…a tale of one family, buckling under a mountain of debt, who sells all worldly possessions and hits the road.
Adventure by Chicken Bus demonstrates how to travel sustainably, but more importantly, how to nurture the next generation of environmentalists and social justice activists by exposing them to the conditions faced by those in the developing world.
From a remote monkey sanctuary tucked into an enclave on the Panama-Costa Rica frontier to the overdeveloped beaches of the Mayan Riviera, we endure chaotic border crossings, infections and injuries, learn about the history of the civil war in Nicaragua, visit UNESCO heritage sites, and hike the ancient Mayan temples of Tikal in Guatemala.
For the sake of safety, we plan our route down to the kilometer, navigating the region by chicken bus, an eye-opening mode of public transportation ubiquitous in the developing world. Along the way we re-connect with each other, re-kindle our commitment to the environment, recognize the privilege into which we were born, and become compassionate global citizens.
Adventure by Chicken Bus demonstrates how to travel sustainably, but more importantly, how to nurture the next generation of environmentalists and social justice activists by exposing them to the conditions faced by those in the developing world.
From a remote monkey sanctuary tucked into an enclave on the Panama-Costa Rica frontier to the overdeveloped beaches of the Mayan Riviera, we endure chaotic border crossings, infections and injuries, learn about the history of the civil war in Nicaragua, visit UNESCO heritage sites, and hike the ancient Mayan temples of Tikal in Guatemala.
For the sake of safety, we plan our route down to the kilometer, navigating the region by chicken bus, an eye-opening mode of public transportation ubiquitous in the developing world. Along the way we re-connect with each other, re-kindle our commitment to the environment, recognize the privilege into which we were born, and become compassionate global citizens.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2020
2 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 14, 2021
This book caught my eye just as all the schools closed in the UK and homeschooling began. Social media is full of opinions about it all, and although my only child finished school years ago, I am tempted to post this review about Janet Losole and her hubby taking their two children on an unschooling adventure to Central America (and produced this great book).
I have never been to this part of the world, but I feel as though I have now after reading about this rocky, yet entertaining ride. Wonky bridges, spider monkeys and mango beer, not to mention the chicken buses - I did not know this was a thing, hand-me-down school buses sold on to countries such as Costa Rica are the main form of public transport.
Janet Losole's writing offers a tell it like it is attitude. Who hasn't found themselves in a pickle at an airport or border crossing? Who's child hasn't needed the loo at an inopportune moment?
Great how children pick up languages so quickly, and what better way to learn about other cultures than actually being there?
Anyone feeling down about the school situation in the UK should read this - of course, no one can leave at the moment but it is good to read of others' experience.
Adventure by Chicken Bus is an entertaining, informative and uplifting read.
I have never been to this part of the world, but I feel as though I have now after reading about this rocky, yet entertaining ride. Wonky bridges, spider monkeys and mango beer, not to mention the chicken buses - I did not know this was a thing, hand-me-down school buses sold on to countries such as Costa Rica are the main form of public transport.
Janet Losole's writing offers a tell it like it is attitude. Who hasn't found themselves in a pickle at an airport or border crossing? Who's child hasn't needed the loo at an inopportune moment?
Great how children pick up languages so quickly, and what better way to learn about other cultures than actually being there?
Anyone feeling down about the school situation in the UK should read this - of course, no one can leave at the moment but it is good to read of others' experience.
Adventure by Chicken Bus is an entertaining, informative and uplifting read.
June 22, 2021
When we are speaking of adventure, America and wildlife then surely the subject is of my interest. Author Janet Lasole’s story is interesting, adventurous and educative.
She sets her foot on to a 19 months Central America journey with her family and few pieces of clothing on a chicken bus. It’s a ride full of beautiful emotional memories, adventure, ups and down, hiccups, drama, spell bound events, learning, experience and fascination.
What made her sell off her things to experience this real life adventure?
Why did she crossed borders on a chicken bus with her 5 and 18 year old daughters and husband and travelled for 19 months?
Didn’t she fear from the wonky bridges, spider monkeys, mango beer, isolated backwaters and sleepy jungles?
Just grab a copy of yours and learn more about her adventurous ride. It’s a truely amazing story. In fact I have started to pack my bag for an adventurous long drive. I feel once in a lifetime one must enjoy moments with nature, face the facts and live a real life.
She sets her foot on to a 19 months Central America journey with her family and few pieces of clothing on a chicken bus. It’s a ride full of beautiful emotional memories, adventure, ups and down, hiccups, drama, spell bound events, learning, experience and fascination.
What made her sell off her things to experience this real life adventure?
Why did she crossed borders on a chicken bus with her 5 and 18 year old daughters and husband and travelled for 19 months?
Didn’t she fear from the wonky bridges, spider monkeys, mango beer, isolated backwaters and sleepy jungles?
Just grab a copy of yours and learn more about her adventurous ride. It’s a truely amazing story. In fact I have started to pack my bag for an adventurous long drive. I feel once in a lifetime one must enjoy moments with nature, face the facts and live a real life.
March 12, 2022
For anyone who's traveled off the beaten paths of life and remembers the flat tires and the awkward moments and the silly interactions and even the harrowing events as the very best travel memories, you'll love this travel adventure with Janet Losole. She does a fine job of chronicling her family's decision to get a global education expat living and adventures in Costa Rica. She brings the right amount of snarky self-examination to authentic cultural appreciation and willingness to go with the flow of backpacker/budget travel - and remembers to laugh and make us laugh along the way. The reading is quippy, easy, fun and moves along steadily as a chicken bus over the gravel roads of Costa Rica. Total treat. Pura vida, Janet!
February 3, 2021
The 226-page book opens with a map, which shows the reader where all the family travelled. The journey isn’t a piece of cake—there are ups and downs, pros and cons but Janet has focused on the greatness of human life. Lloyd and she make a balanced pair. Everything is listed out, discussed and then executed. From crossing perilous bTo understand their reasons for hitting the road, it’s best to read the epilogue first—Janet endorses community-based travel, supports local businesses and favours public transportation called chicken buses. Lloyd is an avid environmentalist and believes in sustainable living.ridges to safe places to stay in, it’s all well-oiled teamwork.
February 8, 2021
Although I love the concept, I don’t think my family would do okay living longterm like this. But I loved the experience of getting to join the author and her family as they experienced real Central American, warts and all. We have done similar short term trips and her writing brought memories rushing back.
May 12, 2021
As a fellow unschooling family, I residnated with the thrill of being free to learn.
It has been my own dream to get into a bus and never look back. It takes a lot of courage to exacute such a dream. But that's what this family did!
I look forward to reading adventures and maybe one day having my own.
It has been my own dream to get into a bus and never look back. It takes a lot of courage to exacute such a dream. But that's what this family did!
I look forward to reading adventures and maybe one day having my own.
October 14, 2020
I was fascinated by this concept and looked forward to reading a book that would include an unschooler perspective. It was interesting and thought provoking, definitely worth reading!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews