Being more accomplished at doom and gloom than many others here, I'd offer that if you're going to continue on your trip you really owe it to yourself to make the necessary adjustments so that you don't have more accidents. I don't know what's missing in your case, but I do know that it's possible to ride in reasonable safety, and three significant accidents between Everett and Ecuador is ample evidence that you're not doing it. Once might signify the luck of the draw, and twice might indicate a bad run; three times in a couple of months is something else again.

I left Bellingham a couple of years ago and made Ushuaia and then back again without an accident. I'm not particularly careful, and I'm not even particularly skilled or experienced (been riding since I was 51, which was not that long ago), but I am twice your age and that probably counts for something. There are lots of other folks making the trip accident-free too. There's a reason why you, not they, are attracting all the injuries, and I'm willing to bet it somehow involves pulling into traffic without considering that someone you can't even see might want to pass at that instant in your lane....or seeing a car waiting at a cross street and not immediately preparing for the possibility the driver would be drunk and would pull out at the last instant. The wise rider knows that just because the last 100 drivers stayed put until after he'd gone by, doesn't mean the 101st one will do the same.

The fact is, if you're on a bike it doesn't matter much whose fault it is; you're the one who pays the price for the mistakes of others, and you need to figure out how to evade those others no matter what weird stuff they throw at you. That's what makes it possible to go cruising around happily month after month.

Take this for what it's worth to you. That might be nothing at all, which is perfectly ok. It just seemed like a shame to ruin a perfectly good adventure if you can find another approach. Besides, I was enjoying your photos and reports, and I was hoping they'd continue.

Hope that's helpful. Whether or not, I'll buy you a when you come back this way.

Mark

I have also been enjoying your posts and photos, living vicariously through yourself and others till my own trip becomes reality.
I can see your getting lots of encouragement to continue which is great if you really feel that psychologically you are up to it.

If your not 100% "in the zone" to continue I would disregard those urging you to continue purely to avoid feelings of regret. You make different choices at different times and this time the choice might be that you are not 100% sure you should continue. You can always know that the decision you make was the best one for you at the time and therefore how could you possible regret it?
I think your the type of guy who would come back at the time it suits you and have another crack. It does not have to be now or never.

I think Markharf has some pretty valid points. He always seems to be the one pointing out the elephant in the room and I have to agree that 3 accidents in such a short space of time probably indicates that maybe your riding like your invincible and not as if your invisible. I could be off the mark but I was thinking it before Markharfs post.

Whatever you decide just be 100% sure and have no regrets either way.

Stay safe and will be reading your reports as long as you keep them coming.

Cheers

James

Alright everyone! As I sat here in my most comfy of all comfy beds (that is 3” too short for me), I received my near daily phone call from the hotel housekeeping asking me if they could clean my room. Yes, you may make my bed, and give me a new towel that is still clean, and already dry from yesterday’s use. You make take what little garbage I have accumulated. Most importantly, I will let you get me off my ass so that I will leave this hotel room once a day.

And so I made it 3 blocks down the road with my camera, and no camera memory card, as I had left it in my laptop. Damn. Back I go. Grab the card, stick it in the camera, and hit the streets.

Mini City tour, here we go.

This is a view to the SOUTH.

You see that closed/gated door on the right corner, below the white building? That’s where I buy all of my food/snacks during the week. There are two nice older women (sisters) and a younger man (a son?) who run the shop, and I buy my chips, coca cola, Gatorade, and water from them.

The Hotel Rivera is just beyond it on the right side, and has been my home for the past 2 weeks.



When I turn around, and look the other direction, NORTH, this is what I see from the street.



Look to the left (East) at the next corner and see the lower city. I reside in the mid level (as defined by me, by altitude), with the lower level to the East and the upper level to the West.



Keep going NORTH.



Cruise over the top of a mini hill, and look to the WEST to see a park in the not so distant North West, and other building with mysterious uses.



Look across the street and notice Drunk Guy #1. Someone left him a bowl of rice with a piece of meat in it. The man was breathing and moving (very little). Every Sunday finds itself with no less than a few of these guys, passed out on the curb, corner, or elsewhere. Everyone just lets them be.



Look EAST again, and zoom in on the hospital that checked me out after I had my accident 2 weeks ago Saturday.



Turn around and look SOUTH the way I have come from.



Turn around (NORTH) and snap a picture of the next intersection. You see that truck with the woman sitting in the back? She’s holding a stroller with her toddler sitting in it. Yep. There is a different level of safety standards around here, that’s for sure.



Make it to the corner where the truck was, and take right (WEST). Check out the wall art.



Then, keep going up the hill (WEST).



Keep going up the hill, (WEST) for a couple of blocks.



Make it to the crest of one of the hills, and hang a right again, heading SOUTH.



Cross to the other side, and keep on heading SOUTH.



Who is that? Drunk Guy #2. This guy is a bit older, and awake. As a couple of young girls walked by him seconds later, his hands came up, asking for help/sympathy/assistance. They walked right by him as if he didn’t exist. Occasionally I will help such a person, but this time was not one. I kept walking SOUTH.



At the next corner, I made it to the same square that you might remember from several posts back, with the statue of a working man in the center. From this corner, take a right, head EAST.



Look across the street, SOUTH, towards the square and see Drunk Guy #3. This man didn’t move for over 20 minutes. He sat there, sleeping, with drool dripping from his mouth, enjoying the most comfy of seats among the other Drunk Guys.



Turn around again, and see my favorite Ice Cream shop. Awesome.



For $1, buy a “cono simple” and get one scoop on a wafer cone. AWESOME.



Look up, and look across the square again (SOUTH) and just miss the photo I was going for. The man on the right in the brown sweater had a cigarette, with no way to light it. The man on the left had a lighter which upon being asked, he lent to the man in the brown. The man in the brown was noticeably DRUNK, and hence Drunk Guy #4 was witnessed, in his multiple failed attempts to light his own cigarette. Eventually, he asked guy on the left to light it for him, and they walked away.



Look to the center of the square, a bit South West. What the hell is that? Is that Drunk Guy #5? I think it is. He’s found a rather comfortable, half sit, half lie down position, from which he didn’t budge for over 10 minutes.



Look WEST, and see another fine example of lax safety standards. Start the kids young right?



Cross the square and meet a guy with his hand stuck out, asking how I am, and do I have a cigarette? Shake his hand and tell him, sorry, I don’t have a cigarette, and realize that I met Drunk Guy #6. Shake his hand again as he asks again if I have a cigarette. Respond with another sorry amigo, I don’t have a cigarette, but I have to go now. Ciao.

Walk a couple steps and make sure that Drunk Guy #6 is walking away as well. Then, notice and read the plaque on the podium that I see.




And the statue that I have posted before, this time I checked out the plaque beneath it as well.




Head left, SOUTH, directly across the square from the Ice Cream stand, and walk a couple of blocks.



Take a Right, and head East again across another public square.



Cross the square, still heading EAST, snag another photo, notice the yellow section of building on the left hand (SOUTH) side. There is a door open, and a person selling food/snacks/candy? Go and find out.



---To be Continued---

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Hmmm. I see fruit. That’ll make a nice change of pace from the sorts of food that I’ve been eating. I better buy some, I’m getting hungry.



Apples are 4 for a dollar, Plums are 5 for a dollar, Bananas are 10 for a dollar. Awesome. $1.60 later…



Heading EAST, a block, and I’m 2 blocks from where I started, and at one of my favorite restaurants.



Walk inside, and make my normal order of 1/4 Chicken with Menestre, fries, and rice with an extra portion of rice. It comes with a chicken broth soup as well, which I put the extra rice in and eat as a second meal. The different young (15-17yr/old) girls behind the counter know who I am by now, and get straight to work. When no one is looking, snag a photo.



Pay the girl the standard $4.75, head back to the hotel, still walking EAST. See where I’m going? See that building on the far corner on the left (SOUTH) side?



Walk a block EAST, and look both ways when crossing the street. Left, Right, Left (SOUTH) again. Cross the street and hit up one of my normal stores. Buy a Gatorade, and two small bags of chips.



Walk another block and look left (South) again. What’s that? He’s a guy on the corner selling soccer jerseys to all the soccer fans around. These guys show up on the weekends to sell the jerseys. I haven’t seen anyone buy one, but they are always there nonetheless.



Cross the street (EAST) and take a picture of my fancy hotel J



These people know who I am, and have for a while. So when I make it up the first set of stairs to the reception, my door keys are already in the receptionist’s hand before I have to ask. Take the keys, and head up two more flights of stairs to my room. Walk in, and unload my spoils of the day.



Then, it’s time to set up the work station. Food on the right side of the bed, drinks on the night stand next to the soup with the extra rice on top of it. Set the fruit on the floor next to the bed with the chips close by. Everything in reach? Check. Time to get to work.




And there you have it folks, a nice short half mile or so walk around the central area around where I “live” for the time being. Ice Cream, groceries, lunch/dinner, and not one, or two, but six drunken guys!

What a Sunday good for if not for drinking!? Drunk guy 3,4,5, and 6, were all present in the square directly in front of a large church, and of course, when they are finished being drunk, they can make their way in to sober up. Hahaha.

Now, as I sit in my “Work Station” I realize that I have lost over 24lbs (11 kilos) since the day I left home 6.5 months ago. When I left Alaska, I weighed 218lbs (99 kilos). Midweek last week, I was walking down the street and saw a scale that would measure my height and weight for 10cents. I hopped on the scale, and it told me I was 196lbs, fully dressed with flip flops, shorts, underwear and a t-shirt (about 2.5lbs) So I weigh a fantastic 194lbs or so.

Alas, what once was; is no more. This is what I looked like 9 months and 24lbs ago. The epitome of Alaskan fitness. 40hrs a week of lifting appliances, 4hrs/wk of basketball on the Home Depot Basketball team, and 4hrs/wk of Shito Ryu martial arts.




And THIS is what I look like now. 6.5 months after leaving home, and 24lbs of less Alex.



In that photo you can see the bruise on my left shoulder/upper chest. It hurts very little anymore, but it wasn’t so nice 2 weeks ago.

Haha. I eat a lot, but there is seemingly not a whole lot I can do to keep the weight on! Oh well.

Carry on everyone!

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Alex........have you been able to get your bike out of the lockup......hope your legal matters are progressing favorably.

Best wishes

Hickery

__________________
http://motorcycletherapy.blogspot.ca/

There remains but a key piece of the puzzle to remove my bike from the Police Parking lot.

I have to get papers signed by a lawyer.

My particular public defense lawyer, isn't very motivated.

I'm still healing so I'm not in much of a hurry.

Everything is still favorable here, but I have no idea if it's progressing at all.

I volunteered today with a private school. Pics to come.

As of now, bike is still parked at the Police Lot.

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Two days ago, Monday, October 17th was probably one of my more active days here in Azoques, Ecuador.

First off, I work up at 8am! Holy crap, that is like 1-2 hours earlier than normal! I nearly always stay awake past midnight, and have no reason not to sleep 8 hours, thus you get the point.

Well, you guys have already seen the corner store that I go to all the time. The owners of the store seem to be quite involved with a local preschool/1st grade school. After frequenting the store over the past 2 weeks, the older woman (I don’t know her name), asked me if I would like to go to the school in Monday morning, and visit the children, and speak English with them. I said, “Bueno, por supuesto!” (Great, for sure!)

And so, Monday morning, at 9am on the dot, I was showered and dressed and at the shop. The older lady was there, and presto, we got in a cab and took off for the school. Pretty soon thereafter, and we were there.



To the right of the picture above, you can see the door into the school yard. This place looks NICE. Much nicer than previous volunteer experiences I have taken part in. On the inside, these kids were learning and playing in style. They have a TRAMPOLINE.



Mickey Mouse says Welcome!



When I first entered the school, I was of course the center of attention, and the teachers/administrators all welcomed me. They were all women as well. The classroom of choice for me that morning was the Preschoolers. Along with them at the school is a small first grade class as well. In the first grade class of which I have no photo, there were about 8 students. In the preschool class, there were 14 or more.



When I arrived, they were all finger painting. After finger painting come a snack and RECESS. But before that, the teacher called the students 2-3 at a time to the bathroom, where regardless of sex, the kids dropped their pants, hiked up their skirts, and went pee. In front of each other, with little else to do but laugh and point at each other when they other couldn’t get his pants back up, or her skirt back down. What a riot!

When it is time to get up from finger painting, and head down the hall, down the stairs and outside for RECESS, these little kiddos knww the drill! They all sing a little song that ends each verse with “sshhhh”, and get ready to be quite all the way downstairs.



When the kids had all filed out of the classroom I snapped a photo of their “Digs”.



Backpacks lined up on the wall on the hooks, each of the kids with a hat was permitted to retrieve it before recess.



Before recess, each of these kids needs a bowl of rice and a glass of juice! FEED TIME!



And then, it was RECESS TIME! These kids bolted out of the door in under a few seconds, and were headed straight for their favorite toys. Be it the teeter-totter, the jungle gym, the sand box, slides, the swings, or the TRAMPOLINE!



Behind a fenced section of the playground, is a set of smaller toys, where the youngest of the children play. They are all about 3 or 4, and loved the swings the most from what I could see. The kids in the safety seats (child swings) couldn’t really swing themselves, and kept calling out “Vuelo! Vuelo!” (I fly, I fly). So, of course, I gave them a push.

The girl on the left kept calling out, “Dame tu mano!” (Give me your hand!) to her swing neighbor who willingly obliged, and I made them fly.



This little boy got his fair share of pushes, as he was my favorite. He never called out for help swinging, and always smiled and laughed when I gave him a good push.



See what I mean?



This kid was having a damn good time the whole time! The most relaxed kid in the entire school, hands down.



This girl liked to tell me all about her friends, and her dog, and her cat, and her mom, and her dad, and her…. You get it J



Right when you enter into the front gate of the school, and look to the left, you would see the set of safety swings. Behind the swings, are more swings, and a mini slide, and spring loaded chairs to bounce/rock on.



On the right side, after entering the gate, is a sand pit, walk a bit, and on your right is a large slide platform. Walk a little more, and the trampoline is now on your right side. Walk a little more, and you’ve made it to the teeter-totter and the Mickey Mouse sign, and entrance to the school on your left.

Beyond all that, and you have an expanse for some of the wild children to run free.



And then you have this kid; who, when I found him, was sitting DIRECTLY on top of a massive pile of mini little ants. They were swarming over this kid like he was part of the landscape, and he didn’t give a damn. He sat and played with them as they crawled over his legs, stomach, back, arms, and hands.

I made his stand up, so I could brush the ants off him. I asked him if he wanted to jump in the trampoline, “No.” Do you want to swing on the swing? “No.” Do you want to play in the sand? “No.” Do you like the ants? “Yes.” Do you want to play with the ants? “Yes.” Well. Shit. Ok.



Later, I found Ant Boy trying to steal a bunch of flower blossoms from another boy who had just proudly proclaimed that they were for his Mama. Ant Boy had a hand around group of stalks, and wasn’t letting go. I asked Mama’s Boy if we could share the flowers. “No.” So I took Ant Boy’s hand off the flowers, never let it go, and told him we could go pick more flowers for his Mama. Waaaaay more. And so he picked.



After that, for a while, my only job was to harass the children, in loud voices. “AAAAAAAHHHH! BOOOOO! BLABABABABA!” To which the children responded by running hell bent for cover, screaming, “Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!”

I got a few of the preschool boys, and tossed them in the air with my good right arm, and pushed them over, and kicked them around, and tickled them, and picked them back up off the ground to “RAAAAAAAWR!” at them, as they ran away “Eeeeeeeeeeeh” ‘ing.

After a while, I settled down and hit up the sand box. One of the smarter 4 year old preschoolers requested my help to dig a big hole. “Why,” I asked him. “To get to the wet sand. To build a castle.” He said. Damn kid, yea, I’ll help you.



After that, it was round up time, and the kids all piled into single file line to go back inside. In no time at all, we were back in the class room, and I was watching little kids draw lines on paper, mimicking a spiders’ string, hanging below its web.



Then it was time to brush their teeth! Two at a time, the kids brushed their teeth, while the rest of the class, having just got back from recess, half sat, half ran around the room waiting.



After the communal brushing of the teeth, I was informed that the bus that would take me home had arrived. I was permitted the front seat next to the driver while 6 or 8 of the little children were in the back with a teacher. On the way out of the gated school, I snagged one last photo of the play ground.



To give you an example of the types of families that send their children to this school, I took this photo of the home of the first student we dropped off. His maid collected him at the door.



And after dropping off all the children in similar styled homes, it was time to drop me off. And upon parting ways, I captured the yellow school bus!



I was dropped directly at the corner of the street where my favorite corner store is, and walked over to meet the nice older woman. She had invited me to lunch with her sister and her mother. I was hungry, having only eaten a banana and apple that morning, and was more than happy to accept.

I made the right decision. It was the best lunch I have had the entire time I have been in this city!

A bowl of AWESOME bean soup, a platter of choclo (think oversized corn), an avocado, a plate of rice, a slice of pineapple, and a plate with mixed veggies, and pan fried Pork. SO GOOD!



And that my friends, was Monday morning.

For the rest of the afternoon I did a lot of reading. I read a lot lately. However, before all the shops closed down, I hit up the streets for my nightly meal of chicken/rice/fries/beans. Also, I needed to make an ATM run as I had run out of money finally, and hadn’t paid for the past 4 nights at the hotel. On the way back from the ATM/bank, I saw one of the 50 or so “panaderias” (bread store) in town. This one however had slices of cake for sale for $1. YES! And so I bought one.

Around the block was my new favorite fruit stand, and this time they had peaches, and strawberries. Oh damn… I take 3 of those peaches, and 3 of those plums, and 2 of those apples, and 2 of those bananas, and oh yes, a bag of those strawberries. Right… $3.

Off to the Polleria (chicken restaurant) pick up my meal, hit the corner store that’s open late, buy chips, Gatorade, Coke. Total up amount, less than $10 for everything listed above.

Back to the hotel, veg out, eat food, Skype call Kristi, go to bed.

Tuesday was the same as any other normal day. Wake up late. Eat fruit and rolls left over from Monday night grocery run, go out late for food, come back and veg out. Remember at 12:30am local time, while Skype calling Kristi that it is my sister Lorraine’s 27th birthday. Hang up on Kristi and call Lorraine. Blither blather for a while, tell her I love her. Call Kristi again. Go to bed.

And that brings us to today, Wednesday, October 19th. Much more of the same happened until about 3:30. I got off my ass, determined to go to a lawyers’ office, and get my bike paperwork completed so I could remove it from the Police Lot. No big deal, I had the card of a Lawyer that solicited his services to me when I was at the Police Station over 2 weeks ago.

On the way there, I brought my bike paperwork, my passport, extra money, and my bike keys. First stop, a farmacia (pharmacy) on the way there. No sour gummy worms to be found, so I settled on a 250ml coke. Back out the door, and WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!?!?

Seriously, WHAT am I looking at? What is that I hear?

Low and behold, two WHITE European girls, speaking French are walking down the street. I don’t waste a second thought, and step in behind them. The taller girl (turns out she’s Swiss) looks at me like I’m God on earth, while the shorter girl (turns out she’s French) looks at Swiss girl in complete bewilderment.

It turns out that the Swiss girl (Charlotte) has been in Azoques for 5 weeks volunteering at an Orphanage, while French girl arrived last night. French girl (Lison) doesn’t realize (As the Swiss girl and I do) that there are NO OTHER white skinned people (for lack of better terminology) in all of Azoques, hence her bewildered look at Swiss girl who is currently looking at me like I am God on earth.

After the moments of shock, it is decided that I would follow them for a , as they were headed to a bar/restaurant. I’m left speechless at this point. I haven’t spoken English except for on the phone with my parents, Kristi, and friends.

I now have new friends in Azoques! Charlotte is in between studying psychology and 23yrs/old, and Lison is fresh of high school and 18yrs/old. Charlotte is here till December’ish, and Lison is here till March. I’m here for 7-10 more days. So, it’ll be BEER:30 sometime in the next few days, and I’ll take the customary “MEET THESE PEOPLE” shots when I have the chance. I left my camera at the hotel prior to meeting them.

Needless to say, I never made it to the Lawyer, or the Police parking. I’ll do that in the morning. And then, I’ll see if I can help out at the Orphanage these girls are helping at. The kids are 3 months to 11yrs/old. I’m sure I can help somewhere!

It’s time for bed now, so take it easy everyone! Keep it real!

Until next time!


--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Well, this morning, I got up off my ass, and left the room at 2pm. Why? I had plans to find a lawyer that would help me get my motorcycle out of the Police Parking Lot.

Well when I was first in the police station 18 days ago, a nice lawyer man gave me his card. I graciously accepted it, and put it in my wallet for safe keeping. Later, I ended up with a public defender named Andrea, who though probably doing her job otherwise, hasn’t been of much help to me getting my bike out of the Police Parking Lot.

So, I took it into my own hands, whipped out the card, read the address on the front and walked down street four blocks and arrived. I walked in, stated my case, and told the man behind the counter that I wanted to get my bike out of the parking lot.

“Ok, let me call the lawyer,” said his assistant. So he called the Lawyer, and when the Lawyer answered, handed the phone over to me. I said the same thing I said before, and was told that I needed to have the title of my motorcycle translated into Spanish. Ok. Thank you… Hmm… Where can I do that?

Well, I asked the assistant where I could have the title translated, and he didn’t know, so he called the lawyer again, who told him to meet him at the other office. Ok. “Let’s go,” said the assistant, to which I responded, “Of course.”

So we left the office, locked it up, got in the car of the assistant, and took off to meet the Lawyer at his other office. Well, it would seem that everything is working out thus far! And so it continued in this manner when we arrived at the other office. I piled out of the car and took my place outside the office of the lawyer, who wasn’t present. Well, I’ll wait, I’m accustomed to that.

Well, one thing about being a “Gringo” in this town is that the Lawyers want to help you, or more accurately, they want your business, and that means others can wait. And so, though I was the last person to arrive/wait in line, I was the first to be served. I’ll take what I can get.

The lawyer asked me of my case. What is the status of the case of your traffic accident? I told him that I had NO IDEA. No one calls me, no one tells me anything. Ok. Let me call the Prosecutor, what is your name? So I told him my name, and I referred to myself as the Tall White Gringo that arrived 2.5 weeks ago. That did the trick and the Prosecutor, who is apparently the friend of this lawyer, gave the lawyer permission to help me get my motorcycle out of the lot. Well, this is working nicely!

From the Lawyer, I also learned that my earlier knowledge concerning the maximum time allowed to complete my case is not 30 days as I had first learned, but rather 45 days. Hmmm. That would keep me here inside Ecuador for 4 more weeks at maximum… Hmmm. This bike could be A LOT more important soon.

And so the Lawyer told me that the translated form and the papers necessary to remove my motorcycle would cost $20. I accepted gladly. I handed over my title and passport and license for copying purposes and went with another assistant to have them copied. I got my passport back, but they held onto the title and license. I have another license, but NOT another Title, however I wasn’t worried about it. I didn’t have to stop them from stapling everything together though. (COME ON GUYS! Who STAPLES a TITLE and PLASTIC License… Jeeze.)

And then, I was told to come back in the morning at 10am, and I would be able to collect all the papers necessary to retrieve my motorcycle. Eeeeexcelent.

From there, it was a short walk down the hill back to my Hotel, and on the way, I snagged this picture. It was a nice sunny day, so I can’t blame the guy.



Then, it was back in the hotel, after stopping for my chicken meal, Gatorade, and chips. Yum.

Well, remember that I told you I met some FOREIGN WHITE PEOPLE? I kindly instructed them that I would gladly leave my hotel room for a more interesting night should only they be so kind to ask. Around 7:30, I was beckoned for a , and so it was that I left my room again that day, an uncommon occurrence for me here in Azogues.

I met the girls in the reception area, dropped off my keys, and off we went. They were hungry, so I agreed to get some food with them, as I can always eat more. Lison, the Frenchy, is vegetarian, as we soon found ourselves at a Vegetarian Restaurant eating veggie soup, and a plate of rice/veggies/tofu. Alas, they don’t sell there.

Charlotte from Switzerland is on the left. Lison (Lee-zon) from France is on the right.



After dinner, we went to one of my favorite restaurants, and asked if they had . They had two… We bought them, sat down, and poured the s into glasses.

On a side note, the television shows here, and the movies that play on the T.V. are your standard rated R movies from America. Ergo, Tits and Ass are a common site on T.V., and will even be shown in common family restaurant. As an American, bred and raised as I am, this is not something that is normal per say. For the Europeans, it is exactly that, normal. And so it came to be that I sat drinking with two European girls, watching the sex scene of some poorly dubbed film.



After that, as we had drank the only two s that they restaurant had, we went in search of more. With little effort we found some canned , but the restaurant was closing in 15 minutes. Well, it was agreed that we would take what we can get! Charlotte on the left, Lison on the right.



And that was basically the end of the night, as the shops were all closed, and the bars had long since shut. Plans have been made to meet again tomorrow, as all three of us are our only friends, and it would seem that we all enjoy talking, and having a good time.

I’d also note, that we generally converse in Spanish, as Lison speaks much better Spanish than she does English, and while Charlotte speaks better English than her Spanish, we all just communicate as best we can. And when the two girls feel like clarifying a confused moment, they converse in their native language of French. Charlotte lives in the South East part of Switzerland where French is her first language. So between French, Spanish, and English, we’ve got these bases covered!


Alright! Hey Dad! Yea you! Padre! You know that Big Church up on the Hill that you keep telling me I should go visit? Well, I always told you I knew where it was, but I never really looked into it in all reality. So I didn’t know how far away it was from where I am staying, or what it looked like, or anything of the sort. However, tonight, as I was walking into my hotel, while saying goodbye to my new friends, I saw THIS, up on the hill side. How I ever missed it any of the other times I have returned to the hotel after dark, I’ll never know. But there you have it; a picture of the Big Church up on the Hill. Love ya Padre!



Time to hit the sack now, as it’s 2:40am, and I have to be at the Lawyers at 10am to get my paperwork and hopefully retrieve my motorcycle! Then it’s on to repairing the beautiful son-of-a-bitch!

Onward!

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Good to see you back again Alex.

Good to see you back again Alex.

Since I made new friends the other day, things have been a bit more interesting in my life. First of all, I have friend. Second of all, they call me. Third of all, they invite me to hang out… Damn. I’m feeling lucky!

Ok, Charlotte and Lison volunteer at an orphanage, and they have time after “work” to do whatever they want. They are not necessary to the operation of the orphanage, but they do make a big difference around there. After work, they get the hell out of there.

Friday afternoon, sometime around 5pm, I was invited to Cuenca, the nearest big city (half a million people about 20-30 minutes away) with the two of them and their coworker Gabby. I of course said yes, and in 10 minutes, I was crammed in the back seat of a 2 door car, and we were on our way.

I had already eaten, but the girls wanted to go for some pizza. Well, pizza around here is a big deal, and we ended up at a Papa John’s….

I look like a scrawny son-of-a-bitch don’t I?



On the way back to Azoques, I had the privilege of the front seat as we had dropped off Gabby’s friend that lives in Cuenca. I couldn’t be sure, but something might have been going on in the back seat…



Nah…. Maybe? … Nah…. But…



Well, the next day was the same deal. Except this time, two French guys were in on the deal, and we hopped in a cab to take the trip to Cuenca. They had met Charlotte when she had been in Banos the week before. They came to visit and help out at the Orphanage. Meet Antony, and Nicola, from top to bottom.



First stop was to a bar in the touristy section of town near where the French guys had a room in a hostel. First up was a , and then it was time for a photo.



After that, the girls were still hungry. I had already eaten but I never say more to more food.



One thing I noticed nearly immediately since hanging out with other people, is how much LESS money I’m spending while I’m here in Azoques. I’m averaging less than $25/day, and $15 of that is going to my hotel room each night (as I’m living in style over here). I’m at half my “daily budget” and it’s been good!

Until these girls walked down the street speaking French, I hadn’t had a in over 3 weeks. In Azoques, a meal is $2-$4. In Cuenca, they are $5-$10. In Azoques, a is $0.65-$1.25. In Cuenca, they are $1.75-$3… I like Azoques!

So, after dinner, it was off to a dance club/bar called Mojito, that didn’t serve Mojitos. I’m a tall gringo that likes dancing with his tall gringo girlfriend. I don’t dance particularly well, but she doesn’t care, because she likes dancing with me... Suffice it to say, I don’t dance much, but I like being around people that do.

And so it went like this. Say “whaaaaat?”



And another reason I don’t dance much… Hahahaha. Those people don’t even come up to my chin!



After standing, and watching people dance around me, and smiling at every smaller person that stood staring up at me while dancing a little as best I know how, Lison began to feel less then o.k.; and after a quick chat with Charlotte, we decided to hail a cab. The French guys took off to find a new club as they were staying in Cuenca that night, and 30 minutes later the three of us were back in Azoques, and I was in my bed trying to make Skype calls that wouldn’t work.

That was yesterday, and today passed with little to comment about.

Tomorrow will be a new day. The lawyer has asked me to return to the office at 2pm, where according to him, I should be able to lay my hands on the papers that will allow me to retrieve my motorcycle….

AWESOME.

Now it just remains to pan out!

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Ok guy and gals...

Are you ready for this?

I've got some news...

1st item of Good News:

I went to the lawyer today, and inside of 5 minutes, we were headed across the street to talk to the people that needed talking to, to decide the process to follow in consideration of getting my bike out of the Police Station.

So up the elevator we go. 6 floors up. Talk to the man, he says he doesn't have the papers, but he has the phone number of the man that will translate my documents. (Title and Drivers License).

So Mr. Lawyer Man called Mr. Translator Man.

Turns out that Mr. Translator Man was nearby and would arrive shortly to help me with the process. The cost of the translation would be no more than $20 said Mr. Lawyer Man.

Well, as it would turn out, it would be free. The man arrived, and we walked across the street again, to talk to the people that needed talking to. The final decision, was to come back tomorrow. On the way back down from the 6th floor, the nice guy told me (in English) that seeing that I had so many problems with the bike, the accident and the amount of time that I have been waiting, that he would not charge me for the translation. It was his way of adding a little "piece" to my adventure. In a sense, he contributed to the fund!

Perfect. Now, I will wait for the man to translate my documents, which he will give to the Lawyer when he is finished. I will then tell the lawyer to collect my papers from the office across the street, and I will be able to go to the Police station and get my motorcycle!

Summary of #1. I can get my motorcycle soon!

2nd item of Good News:

The Prosecutor is friends with the lawyer I have solicited to help me acquire my motorcycle. They have talked since the last time I saw the lawyer, and there is good news. The Police ruled that I am not at fault, and that I am free and clear. I expected this outcome, but it is still a success!!!

3rd item of questionable status:

The first audience that I had with the Prosecutor, my attorney, the other party, their attorney and the judge, was the day after my accident.

The second audience that I will have, that will finish the case is 45 days after the date of the accident.

I have been here 23 days. That is 22 days from now. That is November 14th.

Options:

I know have two options as I see it.

Option #1: I get my bike repaired, and hang out around Ecuador for the next 3 weeks, exploring the country and spending time in new places such as the coast, Banos, Octovalo, etc. I go to Guayaquil to update my visa. I go to the audience on the scheduled day, and then leave the country.

Option #2: I get my bike repaired, and get the hell out of town, skipping the audience with the judge/lawyer. Making my way to Peru and simply forgetting that I was ever here. Will I be able to come back? Would there be irreparable consequences? Would I really be causing myself problems? I don't know.

Result:

As I see it, and from what I think is the right thing to do, I will stay here in Azoques, Ecuador, using it as my home base. The hotel has an excellent well lit, underground garage that I will use to fix my bike. I will wait for the audience with the judge/prosecutor etc. I will use the time to repair my motorcycle, repack my bags, send useless things home, and reorganize my thoughts. I will explore the surrounding area, and enjoy my time like I have been for a while now.


And that my friends, is what you can plan to expect for the next three weeks unless something changes! Nevertheless, I will have my camera, I have adventures, and I will have fun!

So, of course...

Onward!

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

And a few motorcyclist have rolled into town. I met Shaun aka Snohobo (See the RR on Adv Supermoto Around South America - ADVrider) in Panama when he was running the Panama House Hostel.

He brought a few friends along as well. I'll have pictures to prove it after dinner tonight!!

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Tuesday was a rather eventful day for me. Other people riding motorcycles rolled into town. Granted, I had been warned via P.M that they were coming, and an offer to find parts for my bike was even tossed in there. No parts were requested however, and they arrived at around 3pm.

Shaun, riding his KTM 690 Supermoto, and Arnaud and Angelica riding two up on a Suzuki DL650 were what I had to work with, so I did my best.

After showing them to the center of the city, or the town square as I like to refer to it, they parked their bikes, and we sat down for ice cream and coffee at my favorite ice cream stand. You guys are already familiar with the setting. Its where all the Drunk Men congregate on Sundays, by the statue!

After Ice Cream and Coffee, it was back to the hotel where they checked in. They got the frequent flyer discount and paid the same rate as me. Excellent. It was only then, that I actually saw the underground garage that my hotel has to offer. Awesome.

Meet Shaun (on the left) and Arnaud on the right!



After they parked their bikes, we set a time for dinner at 7pm. A couple hours later, we were off to my favorite chicken place to eat some food. I had invited Charlotte and Lison, but both of them were sick and were not able to come out. You can read Shaun’s version of events here...
AHAHAHAHA. Or read all about his adventures which started less than 2 weeks ago, here:
Supermoto Around South America - ADVrider

After dinner, the guys went to work tying guinea pig legs to their handle bars. They had eaten some guinea pig recently and kept a clawed leg to ornament their bikes with. They tied it on with 30lb test fishing line.

After that, it was time to hit the sack. Everyone else likely slept longer, but I went to bed late. No surprise.

I woke to the sound of people walking up the stairs to say goodbye. I grabbed the camera and followed them down the stairs and into the garage.

Here you can meet Angelica as well.



Group shot. I nearly stole Shaun’s helmet (Large sized Arai XD), as mine is getting worn out. The visor got scratched to hell in the last “slide on your face” experience… I held back though.

Adios guys!



The entrance to the garage is just steep enough that the people that paved it built in steps as well.



Not to mention that you have to have some speed coming up it, and it enters directly into traffic.



At 8am on the dot, these guys were out of town headed to the south easternmost border with Peru. Until next time!



Well. I went back to bed then, and woke up much later. After procrastinating for a little while, I got my ass out of bed, hit the corner store for a water and bag of chips, and walked the 7 blocks to the lawyers office that I had been instructed to come back to visit today.

I arrived, Mr. Lawyer Man was ready. We went across the street and up 6 floors to talk to the man that needed talking to which happened to be the same man as the day before, but not the same one as the day before that…

We found the man, and then walked back down 6 floors to the cyber café that has a Xerox machine, and we made a copy of 12 documents. Then the man that had needed talking to said, “come back in an hour.”And so I did.

In the mean time, it was back to my favorite chicken place. 1/4 chicken on rice, with beans, and French fries, which comes with soup, and a coke is $4. I love this stuff! And so comes the before shot…



And after…



I was back at 4:30, an hour later, and it was up the 6th floor again with Mr. Lawyer man. This time I snagged a photo out the window, and up the hill, of Iglesia de San Francisco.



After talking some, it was determined that I would come back in the morning and that would be the end of it. I would retrieve my bike then. (WE’LL SEE).

On the way back, I remembered something that I read in reply to my Ride Report.
Well, sometimes when on the second level of buildings, the street poles come within reaching distance. So I took another photo.



And this is the prized translation of my title and drivers license.



Tomorrow, as they have told me, I should have my bike back…. We’ll see!

Onward.

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Getting the bike at 8am!!!!! Photos and such to come!

The all important folder full of papers that will allow me personal and permanent access to my bike.




---Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN