The Brief

Hola, and welcome to the Mental Militia team website for the Mototaxi Junket 2009! We are two friends from Edinburgh who, seeking adventure, glory and fame, have somewhat inadvisedly come to the decision to take part in this most challenging of jaunts across the South American continent - a mammoth 4000km from Peru to Paraguay in an optimistic two weeks.

Our steed of choice for this arduous trek is none other than that pinnacle of modern transport ingenuity and mainstay of international commuting, the mototaxi. All 125cc of this thundering beast will be put to hard use as we scale the majestic heights of the Andes, pass by the Inca Trail and Lake Titicaca in Peru, wend our way along the infamous Road of Death to the salt flats of Bolivia and traverse the grassy plains of Paraguay to our destination at Asuncion. 

But this is not merely a chance for us to travel the world in a most inefficient and hazardous manner. Our aim is to raise at least £1000 for Operation Smile, a most worthy charity focussed on providing free reconstructive surgery for children and young adults afflicted with facial deformities that can affect their ability to breathe, eat, drink and speak. There are several Operation Smile projects currently active in South America and we hope to visit some of the sites during our travels.

So peruse our website, laugh at our brave stupidity, offer your support and donate lots of money to Operation Smile on our fundraising website - www.justgiving.com/mentalmilitia! And for those who so desire, we are contactable at mentalmilitia@hotmail.co.uk.