Big, interesting trucks are a ubiquitous sight when traveling. Do you remember your first encounter? Was it a rust-covered Russian kamaz that screamed past your taxi on a treacherous mountain road in Central Asia? Or was your first a more ponderous experience, like seeing an ancient truck coughing its way into the African horizon, heroically suffering a mountainous cargo of humans and goats?

When restrictions are nonexistent truckloads come alive with people and animals. But who are the road warriors piloting these behemoths and can they be trusted with such precious cargo? If classic Hollywood movies are to be believed, truckers are fearless roughnecks who pass their days throwing punches and facing down any and all threats:

“I drive truck, break arms, and arm wrestle. It’s what I love to do, it’s what I do best.” – Bob ‘Bull’ Hurley, Over the Top (1987)

“Just remember what ol’ Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol’ storm right square in the eye and he says, ‘Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it.’” – Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

“Sonny: Well what if something jumps out into the road and you need to stop?
Jack Crews: You don’t.
[Rig runs over something]
Sonny: What was that?
Jack Crews: A Mazda.” – Black Dog (1998)

So come up with a gnarly handle, buckle your seat belt and shout 10-4 to your good buddy, because this week we are taking you on a visual journey of Truckin, ‘Round the World.

If you like our ‘Round the World series, you might enjoy some of the previous themes: glasses, mowhaks, beer, authorities, fanny packs, dogs, Jesus, swimming, sweaters, mustaches, stairs, chess, foods, silhouettes, outhouses, cemeteries and donkeys.

Click on the thumbnails to view the images. If you’d like to see more work by any of the photographers featured here then follow the link that appears below each photo.

Enjoy.

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