Aito Tellarini: A Journey of Generations on Two Wheels
Aito Tellarini, a 65-year-old resident of Bahía Blanca, has spent more than five decades balancing his career as an auditor with family life and a passion for travel. From a young age, he embraced an adventurous spirit, first traveling with a backpack, then by jeep, horseback, and in recent years, on a motorcycle.
His latest expedition, a breathtaking 22,000-kilometer journey from Bahía Blanca to Los Angeles, California, was not just a personal milestone but a cherished adventure alongside his 26-year-old son, Bartolomé. This 4-month trek spanned 13 countries and served as an exploration of intergenerational bonds and legacy building. Aito even buried a letter for his future grandchildren in the Nazca Desert, Peru, symbolizing this enduring connection. “It’s a secret message to be read when destiny allows,” he remarked in an interview with Infobae.
The Dream of a Motorcycle Journey
The idea of connecting Bahía Blanca to Los Angeles via motorcycle originated nearly three decades ago. In 1996, Aito attempted a similar journey across America, but violence in Chiapas, Mexico, forced him to abandon it. “I was left with a thorn in my side,” he recalled, which prompted him to set a new goal: “Next time, I will travel with a child.”
Now, Bartolomé was born in 1999, and Aito patiently guided him through the process of learning to ride. At 16, Bartolomé started on an electric bike, gradually moving up to larger models. Together, they undertook their first trips across Chile, twice crossing the Andes on horseback, and exploring the breathtaking Salar de Uyuni.
In 2022, they attempted to fly from Ezeiza to the United States to initiate their journey from north to south, but administrative issues at customs postponed their plans yet again. “For some, it could be devastating. We took it as an incentive: we returned more eager than before,” recounted Aito.
Adventurous Crossing and Shared Experiences
Finally, on January 2, 2024, father and son set off from Bahía Blanca towards Los Angeles, where Aito’s sister resides. They traveled on two identical Honda XRE 300 motorcycles, outfitted with protections, luggage, auxiliary lights, GPS, racks, and extra fuel tanks.
“We navigated through Bolivia’s Death Road, crossed the Panamanian jungle, interacted with caravans of Central American migrants, traversed emergency zones in Ecuador, and coped with fuel shortages in several countries,” Aito recalled, stating, “There are dangers, yes, but as in life itself. If you take precautions and build a support system, you can manage.”
Their journey included diverse terrains, from asphalt to gravel, sand, mud, and ice. They visited stunning sites like the Acatenango volcano in Guatemala, the Huacachina oasis in Peru, the Sanctuary of Las Lajas in Colombia, the Panama Canal, Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, and the Equator line that divides the world in two. However, what stood out most for Aito were the people they met along the way. “The journey consists of moments, moments consist of people, and people make the journey,” he wrote.
New Bonds and Lasting Memories
In Bolivia, they met another father-son duo from Colombia traveling in the opposite direction. They shared a part of their journey and even stayed in touch after the trip. “My son now has a Colombian brother; I gained another brother on this journey,” Aito summarized. Months later, these road companions visited Aito’s home in Buenos Aires, further strengthening their bond.
In the midst of the journey in Costa Rica, Aito’s family gathered to join them. His eldest daughter, Josefina, flew in from Barcelona, while his wife, Cecilia, joined from Argentina. “This was a way for the journey to feel inclusive,” he emphasized.
During a break in the Nazca Desert, Aito buried a handwritten letter that contained three pages of thoughts and memories for his future grandchildren. “I don’t know if my kids will want to have children, but if they do one day, they can come find it,” he shared. This act was inspired by a family tradition: his great-grandfather had left a letter to his children in 1900 with life lessons.
Aito replicated this act at his children’s 18th birthdays, projecting it to a third generation. “I hope they won’t take a direct flight but choose to travel by motorcycle, bicycle, or foot. A journey of learning, just like we did,” he expressed.
Reflecting on the journey’s impact, Aito noted that Bartolomé, who initially intended to emigrate after completing his engineering degree, returned with a new perspective. “He saw poverty, inequality, and violence in other countries and compared it to Argentina, realizing we live in a great country. Despite our problems, we aren’t as bad off as we think,” Aito related.
Beyond the geographical adventure, Aito recognized a significant personal evolution. “This was three journeys in one: the father-son journey, the son’s journey, and the father’s journey. Each with its unique perspective but shared,” he emphasized.
Aito viewed this journey not just as an adventure but as a meaningful opportunity to mature, reflect, and learn together. “We carry a 40-year age gap. We pace our travels differently, but we learned from each other,” he concluded. The journey culminated in May 2024, as they crossed back from Chile, creating an abundance of anecdotes and, most significantly, a buried letter in the desert as a quiet testament to love across generations.
In a fast-paced world like today, this story is particularly resonant as we celebrate Father’s Day. Aito’s narrative serves as a reminder to pause, look around, and take the time to journey with our loved ones.
“A good piece of advice is to write your thoughts about life or a situation down on paper. As years pass, revisit them. You might discover different perspectives, softened views, or paths you would alter. That’s what life is about; it’s a journey,” Aito concluded, holding onto hope for his future heir and the shared adventure they will embark on to find that letter he wrote.