Candellaria and Herman Zapp have been travelling in a vintage car for the past 12 years. They have criss-crossed 37 countries and there have been four births along the way. Right now, they are parked at Hampi
Each of the Zapp children was born in a different country. They’ve never been to school, but life has taught them wonderful lessons
For once, Hampi in itself was not the attraction but a vintage car that trundled in, carrying a family of six. One look and people know that this is no ordinary car and no ordinary family.
Herman and Candellaria Zapp from Argentina started out 12 years ago in their 1928 Graham-Paige that’s not just a means of transport, but their very home. They’ve criss-crossed 37 countries since, covering almost the distance to the moon, as they put it. What started as a six-month trip from Argentina to Alaska stretched into more than 40 months and the trip is not yet over.
“I hope it will continue for another three-four years. However, we don’t have any plans yet. We will continue as long as we can,” said Herman Zapp, 40.
The Zapps, for whom life is an adventure, is the only known family touring the world in a vintage car. They’ve covered countries as diverse as Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Japan and Peru and are now in Hampi for three days.
A truly global family
During their never-ending journey, the couple has had four kids and yes, each of them was born in a different country. Pampa, eight, was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, Tehue, five, was born in Argentina, Paloma, three, is a native of Vancouver Island and little Wallaby, two, was born in Australia. The four have never been to school and are taught to look on life as their teacher.
“It’s challenging,” said Zapp. “We don’t stay in any lodges or hotels. This vintage car is everything for us.”
It was given to him by his grandfather and Zapp has to stick to the 40 mile per hour speed limit that the 84-year old car is restricted to.
“It’s like adventure trekking across the world and we plan to write many more books on our experiences in the days ahead,” said Zapp. They’ve already published a best-seller based on their experiences. Atrapa Tu Sueno was printed during their trip to Alaska. It was later translated into English as Spark your Dream and was the best-selling book at the International Book Fair of Costa Rica. It’s their bread-winner. The travelogues are well received by readers across the globe, said 35-year-old Candellaria.
The couple is uncertain about what lies ahead but they’ve sparked their dream and there’s no turning back.
Each night, the six Zapps either sleep in or around a tent set up next to their car, but more often than not they find a friendly local who will put them up for the night.
“This isn’t just a feat by my wife and my young family,” said Herman. “This has a roll call of 12,000 people who have helped my family over the past 11 years.”
And that thought powers them on.
source: http://www.BangaloreMirror.com / Home> News> City> Story / by Chetan R / Monday, March 05th, 2012