Riding through a dream - Couple covers 23 countries on motor

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Riding through a dream - Couple covers 23 countries on motor

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Riding through a dream - Couple covers 23 countries on motorcycles
Monday, November 13, 2006 - By FRANK LANDRY, Edmonton Sun - edmontonsun.com




In Southern Bolivia, Todd Lawson (right) and his girlfriend Christina Tottle encountered the most exhilarating landscape of their 23-country Latin American odyssey, an ancient lakebed known as the Salar de Uyuni.
It was a plan Todd Lawson hatched with his brother seven years ago – to ride from Canada to South America on motorcycles.

Sean Lawson was never able to make the journey. He contracted cerebral malaria while on a trip to Africa and died in 1999.

But Todd never gave up the dream, and in 2004 embarked on the 44,000 km motorcycle trip with his girlfriend, Christina Tottle.

He’s since started a foundation in his brother’s name to raise funds for the people they met in Latin America, so they too can see the world.

Sunday night, the couple will make a presentation based on their trip at a fundraiser at Dante’s Bistro, 17328 Stony Plain Rd. Money raised will go to the Sean Lawson Young Travellers Foundation.

“We received a first-hand lesson in humanity, that’s for sure,” Todd said of the motorcycle journey, which saw them cross 23 countries over 19 months.

He said they headed out from Whistler, B.C., where they live, with no schedule, guide book or final destination.

Along the way, the couple ended up staying with many of the people they met – often with poor families in rural areas, the freelance photographer said.

“That’s where the most memorabilia experiences came from for us,” said Todd, 34, originally from Stony Plain.

“The people were so open and so friendly.”

Never once on the journey did they feel threatened or in danger, he said.

The couple made it as far as Chile, flying home after the exhausting journey. Their bikes were shipped back to Canada.

“I miss the freedoms and the culture, the everyday experiences,” said Tottle, 31, a yoga instructor. “I’d love to do it all over again.”

Edmonton is the couple’s eighth show of 11 planned across Western Canada. In addition to the photos, they’ll have their motorcycles on display Sunday night. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Already, the foundation has raised $4,000, Todd said.
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