Upon arrival to the mainland from Bocas Del Toro, we went to recollect our motorcycles and our gear. Pretty soon thereafter it was found that Tom had a bit of an issue with his motorcycle. Mainly, it wouldn’t start. Not at all. Not only was it just that, but it didn’t even SOUND like it wanted to start. No hesitant chugging, no belied belch of smoke from the exhaust, NOTHING.

We checked for fuel. Yes. We checked his air box. Yes. We checked for spark. NO. Not even an ounce of a shock.
Well that sucks. Let’s check your ignition coil. How? Lets attach mine. Ok let’s do that.
And so we did. And his bike didn’t start. Did I mention that it is no raining heavily and we’re all soaked now? Ask that nice women who runs this parking lot for an umbrella. Success. Umbrella activated. Slightly less level of wetness achieved.

Well what now man? You have to be in Colon, Panama by the 26th of this month to catch that big ass Steel Rat boat across the Darien Gap so we can tear it up in Colombia. Oh right. Dammmmnnn…

Truck? Where? Panama City? Eh… David? Better idea. Let’s go there. And so we went.
Within 30 minutes of asking if anyone knew someone that might know a guy that had a truck that somebody else could drive that could carry a motorcycle and make it to David, today, we had our man. The guy with the “thumbs up” got a 5 dollar tip from Tom for helping us fanatically until we departed. He also asked me to get him a Balboa () from the mini super when I went. I didn’t. I gave him 50cents to buy his own.



We had to take the front wheel off the bike to get it into the back of the shorty pickup, and Tom wasn’t able to ride in the truck because “he didn’t have room for him with all his work stuff”. So with a final smile from the Dude that was helping us help the guy who was driving the truck that was carrying Tom’s bike to David; we loaded a bag of Tom’s shit onto my bike.



Tom was decidedly unhappy about having to arrange to get his Motorcycle trucked to David. Dammit. We hope it’s worth it. I’ll be pissed if it’s an easy fix…



Well. We asked Mr. Truck Drive Man if he knew a Suzuki mechanic in David. Oh yea, I know the Suzuki Mechanic. I’ll take your bike directly there. No problems. Ok. Let’s go. And go we did. And Tom and I rode two up on my trusty steed for 110 miles through the mountainous terrain until we reached David. All while following the truck at a gradual speed of 30-50 mph. I achieved a whopping 37mpg. I’ll have to keep that in mind when Kristi arrives. Go slow.

And then, we were there. And do you think we found a Suzuki Mechanic? Haha. No, of course not. We were delivered to Mr. Truck Driver’s friends family mechanic shop in the middle of an urban area. Oh well. We knew we’d end up somewhere like this.



So the guy poked and he prodded, and Tom whipped of his side panels, and his seat, and his gas tank, and the guy pulled out his multi meter and he poked and he prodded some more. He pulled of the connecting plugs to Tom’s bikes computer, and he stabbed at them with his multi meter prongs, until. “EHHHHH…. Si, eso, eso esta la problema. Tu capacitor esta chingada.” (Ehhhhh… Yes, this, this is the problem. Your (stator) is f’ed)



So he pulled out the Stator. But before that, like a prudent mechanic would, he pulled Toms entire computer of his bike, plugged it into mine, and I fired my bike up, proving Tom’s bike computer was in working shape. Then he pulled out his multi meter and stabbed the same contact points on my bike computer plugs. The multi meter read 290. Tom’s? It read 1865. Too much resistance coming out of his Stator. DAMN IT. Stators are NOT cheap.



And so the man checked Tom’s stator, and within a few minutes determined that Tom’s stator pickup was the culprit. “I’m going to cut it off,” He said. Well, no, he didn’t really say that. He said nothing at all. He just chopped the piece off Tom’s $300 stator. Just. Like. This.



Ugh… We’re feeling pretty confident in this guy by now, and we’re hoping he knows what the hell he is doing, and all the while I’m telling Tom everything I know about motorcycles to try to explain to him why that LITTLE part is his problem, and he’s understanding the concepts, but damn it, that mechanic just chopped it off….

Well, in the mean time we had a look around while this guy is working. There was music blasting, and soon we realized that it was coming from the surround sound speakers on the shop owners cousins Honda Goldwing 1500. And that Suzuki Fireblade (CBR1000RR) over there inspires some confidence in bike bikes. Oh, and this Xr650r, over bored to 750cc’s is pretty cool…. Too bad someone hit a car on it.



Well. Obviously our mechanic friend didn’t have a new Dr650 Stator pickup in his pocket, nor did he have access to one. NOR does the Stator Pickup come separate from the Stator itself, and used Stators complete with their pickups run $220 on ebay. SHIT. He ALREADY chopped it off…

Well. We’re in Central America. Who cares. Let’s BUILD ONE.



And so he went about his business, rummaged through some parts (parts that looks obsolete, overused, and damaged) and pulled out what we would soon find out would be either our saving grace, or a definitive slap in the face. AND, it even looked good. Problem was, it didn’t have the same mounting bracket. No problem, he’ll put the OEM bracket on it.
Meanwhile, this other guy is bondo’ing a car, and someone else is changing its oil.



They have a good set up going on.

Soon, Tom’s new stator pickup was taking shape. And it looked good… Well. Let’s be honest. What the hell do we know about good? A Baja mechanic took my bike from totaled to road worthy in 4 days. This guy diagnosed Tom’s problem and built Tom a new stator pickup in less than 2 hours. Our standards are sliding down a scale from, “Please sir, I’ll take the new one,” too “Please sir, give me the cheapest shit that will serve its purpose, and I’ll be on my way.”



In no time at all, he had the newly made used stator pickup soldered, heat shrunk, and zip tied back into the OEM location.



Multi meter at the ready, our friend stabbed some contacts and the reading was as shown.



Have I mentioned that this guy took off half the screws and plugged in connectors with his trusty Swiss army knife?

Well. He did.

Before he remounted the stator pickup definitely, he painted the contact on the pickup,



Notice that ? It’s his 5th one that we’ve seen him drink. He’s becoming more carefree as the s come. Hopefully he’s finished soon! Hahahahah!!!!!

He removed the left case center plug for access to the crank shaft, and within a few moments felt a mild resistance when turning the crank.



Stator pickup is touching the magneto… Well that’s no good. We can’t have that. Where’s my damn drill?!



Meanwhile, the mechanics daughter is tearing up the neighbor’s yard on a beaten down Honda Xr100, and she loves it.



Did I mention that in the middle of this adventure that the shop attendant filled up a crate with empties and returned with 24 more, and that Tom and I were the recipients of no less than 2 s each, and that our mechanic friend had no less than 6 or 8 in 3 hours?

Well, if I didn’t mention that, I should have. WAIT? What is that sound?!?!?!

All of a sudden, the stator fit well, and the left cover was put in place and screwed on, and the oil was replaced with Mobile 20w-50, and the mechanic stepped back, took a look, and VROOOOOOM. Fired up Tom’s BIKE. SUCCESS!!! (You can’t tell… But it’s running…)



FAMILY PHOTO TIME! We’ve been there for 3 hours. And we’re now part of the family. Yessssssss.



The man directly behind me is fist pumping his success. That is our mechanic friend, and he is awesome.

It was just that day that I mentioned to Tom, as a result of our inconveniences, that we’ve noticed that no matter where we have been in Mexico and Central America, no matter what it is you need, you can find someone INSTANTLY that will help you do ANYTHING, IMMEDIATELY.

It was within 30 minutes that Tom found the man that drove the truck that carried his motorcycle to David. And it was the man that drove the truck that found us our mechanic friend. And that mechanic stopped everything he was doing, quit working on other shit for the day, and fixed Tom’s bike all while drinking and fabricating a serviceable stator pickup.

We love Central America. And we LOVE PANAMA.

Tom’s bike now runs like it always did, and we made it to Panama City the next day (yesterday). We found Charlie, Patrick and Andy whom rode ahead of us the day Tom’s bike took a nap. Additionally we found Ty and Jill! They hauled ass south from Guatemala over the past 2 weeks, and they met with Charlie, Patrick and Andy yesterday. Now we’re all at the Panama Passage Hostel. There are 7 of us on 6 motorcycles and we look awesome.

Have I mentioned? WE LOVE PANAMA!!

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Well. Mr. Lawyer Man came back a couple of days ago (Friday) and told me that we had a couple of problems. Oh we do? Oh... Ok.

Well lets hear it.

Mr. Lawyer Man: "Your motorcycle is not registered here in Colombia."
Me: "Yes, I know that. Of course it is not. Its registered in Alaska"
Mr. Lawyer Man: "Well they don't want you to take a vehicle that has been in an accident, outside the country."
Me: "Why not? I need to be in Bogota on the 22nd. I need to leave this place."
Mr. Lawyer Man: "They don't want you to come back later with grievances."
Me: "Ok. Fine. I won't come back. How do we tell them that?"
Mr. Lawyer Man: "We'll now we have two options"
Me: "Ok. Well. I'm listening."

First: We can find a Judicial Policia (Judicial Police Officer), and have him come over, of course you will have to pay him, and have him declare that you have the right to leave. I don't know when he will be available, and I don't know how much he costs.

Second: You and the driver of the truck can sign a document that neither of you will try to recover damages from one another, and sign off any right to follow up on the accident with any further issues. You each take responsibility for your own actions.

Me: "Well... Ok. What do you think about option two? Do you think there will be a problem getting the other drivers signature? Let's try option two."

Mr. Lawyer Man: "I think that will work fine."

Well. That was Friday. Saturday and Sunday the parking lot where my motorcycle is closed. Monday is a national holiday. So, I have to wait until Tuesday at the earliest. It would seem that I could possibly get the bike on Tuesday. If I get it on Wednesday, I'll consider myself lucky.

And that was Friday.

Tom returned on Saturday afternoon, and we've been eating, sleeping, and playing pool down the street with another guy that is at the hotel. (Nicolas, also 24yrs/old.)

That was Saturday, and today, Sunday.

Tomorrow we'll do more of the same.

Tuesday if we're lucky. I'll get my motorcycle! Wooooo.... How. Exciting...

Onward?

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Of the people that matter the most in my life:

These picture links were orginally posted over here: BUY ME A BEER, but I thought it would be nice to share the fame in this main thread as well.

Because, these people Kick Major Ass.

My Mom and Dad Rock. They created yours truly, and I'm more THAN happy with it.
Thanks to my Dad and Mom for EVERYTHING.


My Dad is Grandpa twice over thanks to my lovely sister Lorraine
Dad, keep up the good work!


My Mom fed me breakfast, lunch, and dinner from the day I was born until the days I stopped coming home in time for dinner. I ate 2 school lunches in my entire life, once in 3rd grade and again in 11th. I didn't even know how to get it....

Mom, I love you!


My Sister is my sister, and the mother of my niece Ellie Louise Blakley, and nephew Spencer James Blakely (whom I've yet to meet!) Her and her husband Brandon have done well for themselves!

Sister! Because we always go WAY back!


My girlfriend Kristi is of a whole other league of people. She goes beyond the norm and has not EVER let me down. She is a giant success in her own right, and the positive outcome of a positive upbringing by her parents Kevin and Debbie Clayton. They are my second family, and they likely already know they'll never see
the last of me.

Kristi! You're my favorite!


My ridiculous, late identical twin Brother. He didn't know the limit of his own success, and never cared to find out. This picture describes him quite well. Twin 12" Achilles wing tattoos adorned each ankle. Flying was second nature. He made the ring that adorns my left middle finger (that got bent in my crash on day 10 in Baja)

Andy! Cause you were always a Winner!


This is the kind of stuff that raised his blood pressure... Slightly. His best friend Allen Davidson recently posted this on facebook titling it, "this is some Andy Shit here".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWfph...layer_embedded

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Hello Everyone! It is 4:40am as I begin this, and we sit in our bed at the Loki Hostel in Mancora, Peru with the pacific ocean crashing not but a few hundred yards from the building itself. Excellent!


Ok...


So the bus to Mancora left Quito, headed first to Quayaquil at 9am, and we were there for the start of the race.

10 hours later, at 7pm, we were 50minutes early for the 7:50pm departure from Quayaquil to Mancora.

9 hours later and we arrived!

The border crossings were standard, and everything went as planned.

When we arrived in Mancora we told the Tuk-Tuk taxi driver that we were headed for the Loki Hostal. He knew where to go, and for 4 Peruvian Soles, ($1.5) we were on the road! Minutes later we arrived, and soon after we were checked in!

A short clip of our ride to the hostel.

http://s979.photobucket.com/albums/a...t=MVI_4872.mp4

So far so good!!!

--Alex (aka. Shaggy)

P.S. Is it possible to embed video here? I tried the embed code provided by my photo bucket account and its not working here as it did on Adv... I'd like to share a bit more easily if possible. Thanks!

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Our last real day in Quito was spent with a quite morning relaxing, and allowing Kristi to catch up a bit having just recently gotten over her bout of illness.

I had a bit of an issue connecting to the internet and so went out to the lobby for a better connection where I met Conner, a 30 some odd year old Irish guy who was wrapping up 5 months in South America before flying north to visit his extended family in Vancouver, Canada.

In the middle of it all, Tom sent me a message over facebook to see if we wanted to meet him and Charlie at the bottom of the Teleferico, a several thousand meter Gondola ride that rises 1050 meters over the capital city of Ecuador allowing an extended view of the entire area . I said Sure, let’s do it. For some reason, Andy decided come, and therefore wouldn’t be meeting us there there .We all surmised that it was due to the fact that his girlfriend Cass, would be arriving in less than 24 hours, and he was preparing himself mentally and physically.

So, I invited the Irish guy, told Kristi what our new plans were, and after a little while we were off to the corner burger stand where we all sat down and had a burger with fries and a coke for $2 each. Hell yes. Kristi even finished her meal! Success!

From there it was a $4 taxi ride to the base of the Gondola, where we met Tom and Charlie, paid the obligatory $8 foreigner rate for the return trip up the mountain, and stood in line.



After a short wait, we all piled into the Gondola and started the climb up the mountain.

Welcome!



To The!


Teleferico!



As we climbed, we looked down over the landscape and were able to see the city for what it really was; a sprawling urban capital complete with way too many people.



Further up the mountain we could see our destination.



Charlie and Connor had a look about as we climbed higher.



At the top, we all climbed out, half winded at the altitude, just over 4000m or 13,000ft. It was also significantly colder at the top, and we were all glad we brought our warmer outer layers .
I lined up Kristi and snagged a photo.



Next it was my turn.



Couples photo! We make these for our parents. Here you are Mom, Dad, Debbie, Kevin.



You guys haven’t seen Tom in a while, so we I snagged a shot of him facing the opposite climb. Even at 4,000 meters, we were still another thousand meters below the summit of the mountain above us. The hike up takes about 5-6 hours and is a daylong event. None of us even considered it.

What’s up Tom!


Jackets on, we all climbed a couple hundred more yards up the hill to a different lookout.



Group photo! (More of the same stuff)



Meet Connor!



Here is a view down the path that we climbed from the Gondola station.



Having had our fill of 4k meter elevation, wind chill and frozen ears, we all took in our last couple of views and made out way back to the station for the ride down. With not much else planned for the day, I took a parting photo. Tomorrow, we hop on a bus, and head to Mancora. It’s a 16+ hour bus riding adventure, so it’ll do us well to get to bed early.

Ciao for now!



--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Alright everyone! Back to the beginning of last week!

Sunday, September 11th, began easily. Kristi and I were just lounging around the hostel, having a good time, contemplating bungee jumping the next day on Monday. The people suggested I wait another week due to my leg…

Here is a view of the hostel courtyard. Apparently, every once in a while people play volleyball.



In the afternoon sometime, we left the hostel in search of cheap food and snacks. Of course that involves walking down the big ass hill, and then on the way back, walking up the big ass hill. On the way back up, we saw this guy on a Chinese clone Honda Cub 70 squeaking down the hill.



Well, that was the end of the basic daily routine, as that night, it was party night. The last real day to party before we planned to leave on Tuesday, EARLY in the morning for our trek. So Sunday night we started with the s, while everyone else did the same!



These dudes were having a kick ass time playing pool, while also participating in Flip Cup, a team game that involves chugging a glass of , placing your cup upright on the edge of the table, and then flipping it 180 degrees to land on its rim without falling over. When that is accomplished, the next person in line on your team chugs his and does the same. When your last team member “Flips” his cup, and you’re ahead of the opposing team. You win!



They happened to be the team that won!



WINNERS!!!!



Do you guys remember Janina? She was on the Stahlratte Sailing vessel from Panama to Colombia. You might remember her from this photo…



Well, we got back on it that night, and it looked a little like this.



We even hit the dance floor while everyone else was still drinking…



While Janina (Ya-neena) tried to de-robe (literally) the bartender/staff.



I think the Macarena was going on sometime that night as well.



Either way, Kristi was having way too much fun dancing with Janina!



Outside of the bar some other outrageous shenanigans were going on! Wow!



Does she know what she’s doing? (Who is she anyway???)



Wheelbarrow race time!



Flipside!



Oh, you, stooooopppp…. Yea. Right.



Heyyyy! The whole group of them!



I think it kind of ended like this….



Well, the next day, Monday, was spent just hang around in anticipation of waking up at 4am on Tuesday morning to begin our 5 day adventure, hiking 75km into the wilderness to arrive at the door step of Machu Picchu.

That, my friends, is yet to come!

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Ooh ya tease!

Day one, September 13th, 2011, 4:15am. Kristi and I are awake, and we’re in the hostel. Our bags had been packed the night before and stuffed in the hostel storage room. Our packed bag for the next 5 days was on the floor, and we were ready to go.

At 4:30 am, our hiking guide was knocking at the front door of the hostel.

Minutes later, we were down the street picking up new and other people.



Minutes after that, we were loaded onto a bus with a bunch more other people. Anna was somewhere among them all…



Kristi was already excited, and I was ready for action. Bus shot!



On the way there, the valleys and mountains came into sight.



And then… Our bus got stuck….



Well, I should elaborate and tell you that it started sliding, precariously, towards the edge of the road…



And we haven’t even started yet!



After we all piled out of the bus, it moved a bit more easily, and slid to the other side of the road.



And soon had 4 tires instead of 6 on the ground…



Did I mention that we are up in the mountains?



So they started digging!



And from the side box of the bus, whipped out the pick-ax!



While this dude, with the help of many others (I jumped in to help) wheeled his bike around the bus to cruise up the hill on the other side, rear wheel spitting mud like a motocrosser.



As the whole group (17 of us at this point) started walking the last few km’s up the hill, we left the bus driver and his cronies to the job of freeing it up. About 15 minutes later we were all back on the bus again. Hooray!



And our first stop of the day? A small family restaurant that would be the source of our breakfast for the morning. On the right side, you can see Rhi. (Ree)


After breakfast, the hike began! And we stopped suddenly to peer at this cactus with weird white stuff growing on it, with small insects in the middle of the white stuff. Our guide, Juan Carlos, picked off a bug, and in the middle of a small scrap of paper, squished it, like, well, a bug. Its blood and guts he explained was used by the local Andean people as a dye for their clothing, paints, and ceramics, and is even used in the modern day as a source of coloring for cosmetic companies…. Hmmmm…



And so the hiking began.



And so it stopped again an hour or so later. From left to right, Rhi, Anna, Kristi.



At the top of a hilltop, Kristi and I snagged a photo. Remember this one, cause it’s about as good as we’re going to look for the next five days.



3300 meters and climbing. 3900 is the goal for the day.



These cows dotted the landscape and kept the hiking a bit more interesting. The cows have much thicker fur/hair than the cows I’m used to seeing at home.



After eyeballing the cows, it was lunch time. Meet Alberto, the 26yr old Spanish guy studying his masters teaching (developmentally disabled children) in the southern part of Chile for a year abroad.



3,450 meters and climbing, the rain came out, and so did our rain gear. Alberto’s rain gear is compliments of the ‘80s and his father’s wardrobe.



Kristi wanted a photo with the jumpsuit.



Did I mention? This is as good as I am going to look for a while?



Before the group as a whole has made camp for the first night, the horsemen are feeding their horses in the field. It is worth mentioning that the horsemen have arrived at camp, dismounted all things needed dismounting, and put their horses to pasture all before we have arrived. Well done.



That night was spent in relative luxury, with a roof over our head! The guide, Juan Carlos, warned us that we’d be sleeping at 3,900 meters, and that it would be our coldest night of the trek. I wasn’t worried, and neither was Kristi. I brought my -9*C (15*F) sleeping bag, and Kristi had enough layers.



Dinner that night stared with Happy Hour, which consists of hot tea and popcorn. Delicious, wonderful, salty popcorn. Yum!



That night, the stars came out, and the mountains in the back ground were giving off a faint light. Perfect for a bit of experimental photography. Kristi and I were happy to have made it the first day, and nearly 12.5 miles of walking (21km).



Then, while everyone else was freezing, I made attempts at writing in the sky.

Success! ADV!




Day one was a giant success! Day two to come!

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Day two started off early in the morning with a 4:30am wake up call. Our hardest day yet was ahead of us, and we needed to be ready to hike 10-12 hours. We were starting off at 3,900 meters, climbing to 4,650, than descending down to 2,700. Lots of hiking was in front of us.



That morning, the clouds hung low, and the Mountains were partly hidden.



Later, rather than sooner, we were waiting for about 7 of the 17 people in the trek to get ready to leave. A lot of hair brushing and makeup was done by the 4 Brazilian girls, and some slow packing by the Venezuelans. The two Israeli guys, Yinon and Nitzen, sleeping in the same tent as Alberto were ready to rock and roll ASAP.



A little while down the trail and we’d climbed 200 meters. Well, that was easy…



While we were sucking wind, and sweating already despite the cool early morning temp, a guy was watering his horse in the nearby stream.



And that is when I realized that we were at the bottom of what would be the hardest stretch of trail yet, and as the guide told it, the hardest stretch of the trek. 550 meters of vertical elevation over the next kilometer or two, and we’d be at the top of the pass. Damn.



At the top of the climb (not the pass), a victory smile from Kristi and I.



RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWRRRR!!!



After a break at the top of the hardest stretch of climbing, waiting for the entire group to catch up, we pressed onward, jackets zipped up.



Before that however, Kristi got on the “Lion King Rock” and busted a victory pose of her own.



And a clearer shot with our guide Juan Carlos.



And the top of the pass!



Success on day two!




Alberto fancied himself a photo of the Cooks wife. So I obliged. If any of you are surprised by the footwear that Kristi and I chose. Well, then, look at hers. She and nearly every horseman/cook/porter/worker wore sandals very similar to those.


These two guys, selling their wares, live in a mountain village at 5,500 meters, 90km away from Cusco in a different direction from where we had come. The 4,600meters we were currently at was a joke to them. They just didn’t like the cold.



Group photo!



I bought Kristi a souvenir for the hike. A bracelet, handmade for 5 soles. About $1.85



My reward? Happy time!



So, at the top of the pass, we had no option but to head down the hill. And so, of course, we did. For the next 7+ hours.



On the way, we saw some Alpaca. They blended in with the rocks so well that half of the group nearly made it passed without noticing them!



An hour or so later, we found our Lunch site. See that guy with the smile and thumbs? That’s Tony from New Zealand, living in Vancouver, Canada. He smiled a lot. I think Anna was hungry or something?



During Lunch, it rained like hell. Afterwards, it kept on a bit, and made for a LOT of mud. However, we just kept going, and at the next rest stop, we sat for a while waiting for everyone else. Meet Mr. Rooster!



And the Dog!



And the little kids beating off the horses/mules that were trying to make their way into the fenced off field to feed. No food for you!!!



Hello everyone!



After the break we hit the trail again. Photo time!



Not long after, we made our way down a few more km’s of trail to the bottom of our hiking elevation for the day, and arrived at a suspension bridge. Nizten started first by bouncing a bit, and getting it to wobble. Kristi liked that!



Smile for the camera!



A couple of Km’s later, and some light up and down trail hiking, and we made it to Camp on day two. This dog was there waiting for us. It was awesome.



Remember Tony? It’s dinner time now, just after Happy Hour. Smile for the camera!



Not long after dinner time, everyone is ready for bed. And so we slept. I slept the best that night, but woke up drenched in sweat because my sleeping bag was too warm. I unzipped it, dried off (literally) and went back to bed.

Day 3 is just around the corner!

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Last night was spent eating a lot of these…



…While I watched some more of the famous Animal Planet, and downloaded National Geographic Documentaries. I really enjoy learning, and if I can be entertained while learning, well, I learn even better. Also, I downloaded the computer game, “Civilization 4” as I have been bored during the day, and watching T.V all day is impossible.

Somewhere in the middle of all the animal planet, movie/documentary downloading, and computer game playing, I went across the street to my new favorite restaurant, and picked up my $3.75 meal. “1/4 Chicken, on rice, with Fries.”



I figure this stint in “Isolated Confinement” (i.e. spending so much time in my hotel room) will give me a leg up when I “get out of here.” You see, I’ll be used to talking less, and when I talk less, more people tend to enjoy being around me! HAHAHA.

This morning I woke up to a dream that I was filling a toilet bowl to capacity while taking a pee. I reached out to flush the toilet so that I could continue peeing, and woke up needing to pee quite badly. So I took a pee, and then I took a shower. Consequently, in the shower, the road rash on my left knee (very minimal) decided to lose its scab. At least it doesn’t hurt!



Well, after the housekeeping staff here at the hotel finally roused me enough to get me the hell out of the room by: calling me on the phone, apologizing for bothering me, and asking me if they could clean my room; I finally got off my ass and went outside.

That’s when I got a wild hair up my butt to go check out my motorcycle. And so I did exactly that.

Overall, it's in great shape considering. There are only a few tweaked parts (namely the right side pannier frame/rack). The highlight was broken,(just the lens) but I might have already found a replacement at a local shop. The highway dirt bike (HDB) hand guards did their job, and really took a beating, but protected the hand levers, instruments, and handlebars as well. I installed a "fat" handlebar before I left (1 1/8" vs 7/8th") for the added strength, and heavy duty hand guards as well. They have really stood the test. I bought them all as part of a group by on ADVrider. Excellent.

2 blocks from my hotel is a "Taller de Soldura" (Welding Shop). I stopped in on my way back from the police impound lot (only 8 blocks away) and asked if they can weld Aluminum. They said yes. I'll be going back there to have them reshape my severely torqued right side pannier, and to have them pull out the bend in the right pannier frame.

The front turn signals were knocked off as well, but replacing them will be easy, as the mount for new ones is still there, and the wires are already accessible.

When my right hand guard got twisted upward during the accident, a bolt holding my auxiliary light impacted the banjo bolt of my front brake line where it connects to the brake fluid reservoir. Subsequently the banjo bolt was ripped out of the brake fluid reservoir. I'll have to get a replacement brake fluid reservoir from one of the many motorcycle shops around. The impound lot police officer attendant man suggested a shop right down the street (1 block) from the impound lot. I had seen it on my way there and noticed an Aprillia outside on the curb. Good news, it would seem that they work on both foreign and large cc motorcycles. The attendant referred to the shop as, "There is a motorcycle master just down the street." I’ll take what I can get.

Other than that, the bike supported me when I sat on it, felt normal in regards to suspension. Rolled forward and backwards with no obstructions, the rear brake worked, the vapor tech was operational, and it appeared to be in good shape.

The one thing I didn't do was bring my motorcycle keys with me, as I wasn't initially planning to go there. The first time I saw my bike (a week ago), the starter button didn't operate when I turned the key to the "on" position. However, I highly suspect the kickstand kill switch to be the culprit, as it had been slightly stuck a few times in the recent days before the accident. Either way, it wasn’t an issue of turning over and not starting. It simply didn’t even try. It should be an easy fix; here’s hoping!

Next step is to call my public defender lawyer, "Andrea", and ask her to create a release document so I can remove my motorcycle. Then, I'll park the bike under the hotel in the parking lot that is available to me here, and get to work on fixing the bike.

On my way back to the hotel, I went shopping for food. I won’t have to leave my hotel room again tonight. Excellent.

$7.85 later, and I was stocked up.



The other day, I ran out of Ibuprofen that the hospital had given me. They are 400mg tablets, of which I received 12 of. I was instructed to take one every 8 hours, no more. Well, I generally took one before going to bed, to facilitate falling asleep, and another when I woke up sore as hell. So they lasted over 6 days, as I only took them when I really felt the urge to. Well, the side of the box clearly states, take only under prescription, so I was unsure if I would be able to get more at the corner farmacia (pharmacy).

I just walked in, asked them what they had that was similar, the woman returned with exactly the same box, and asked me how many I wanted. “How much are they?” I asked. “They are $0.05/each.” She responded. I see… Out of curiosity, I asked what they had that was stronger, to which she replied, we have 600mg tablets as well, they are $0.35/each. Right…. I’ll take a box of the 400mg please. And so for $1.03 after tax, I had (20) 400mg tablets of Ibuprofen to outlast my stay here. I’m going back before I leave, as they likely won’t ever be that cheap again.

Off to call my lawyer!

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

While I sit in this lovely hotel, waiting for news about the traffic accident investigation, and calling my lawyer to ask about getting the necessary papers signed to release my motorcycle from the Police Parking lot, I have decided to post an update of the scar on leg where the Doctors in Barraquilla, Colombia cut me open, drilled 8 holes, inserted a place, screwed in 8 screws, and stitched me back together.

As of today, two months and nine days after the surgery, my ankle feels exactly like normal, looks normal, and performs normally. It's like it never happened.

EXCEPT for the awesome scar, and the fact that I can feel the metal plate under the skin. Check it out.


View #1




And here is View #2




Most excellent if I do say so myself.

Until next time! Ciao!

--Alex

__________________
NJ, NR, NBTTN

Hi Alex,

I felt sick when I read you'd had an accident. I hope you're healing quickly.

For what it's worth, here is my advice:

#1 Fix bike, continue south.

#1 Fix bike, continue south.

#1 Fix bike, continue south.

#1 Fix bike, continue south.

That’s 100% Fix bike, continue south.

I'm a bit older than you (more than double at 53) and I know that the regret from not doing something is far greater than the regret from doing something and having it go wrong. If you don't finish your ride, it will haunt you. Go for it mate!

Apologies to your mum and dad for the above, but it's true. Dad rides, and he’ll understand. Hopefully he can explain it to mum.

I've just gotten to the end of your posts and now I don't know what to do. I want to just sit here at the computer and wait for updates, but that's just not practical. I’m looking forward to your next instalment.

Cheers,

Simon.

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