Yesterday the Colombian Minister of Agriculture was in town (Pitalito, Colombia ) and met with he leaders of farmers "paro" strike/roadblock protest. Some agreement was reached as the roadblocks were lifted as of this morning. 13may2014.

Yesterday, we had coffee at a table next to the strike leaders prior to their meeting with the Minister and all were in good spirits - Everyone is in good spirits today.

On another front, the DIAN (customs) approved our 6 month TVIP extensions for our 2 motorcycles authorized due to the Elisa's injuries (3 fractured bones in her right foot) while crossing "La Trampolin de la Muerte". We never should have attempted the unpaved 80 K of hour long delays caused by recent landslides, waterfalls that washed out the road and dangerous unguarded drop offs prior to reaching Mocoa, Colombia.

The task was well beyond our strength and our off road abilities... we misinterpreted the road conditions due to heavy rain and snow melt.

The way is now clear for us to fly To Bogota and then on to our ranch in Arizona for Elisa's recovery. We will return to Colombia for our motorcycles and then ride home to Buenos Aires later this year.

The Colombian people have been wonderful. From everyone we met came offers of help. Food was shared when scarce, safe storage was found for our motorcycles, medical care was excellent and the DIAN officials did all they could to approve our tVIP extensions in a timely manner. Even the "paro" roadblocks were lifted so the ambulance carrying Elisa and I and an attending nurse could pass from San Augustin to Pitalito for needed medical treatment. Viva Colombia.

We look forward to returning to Colombia and staying for as long as our TVIPs and tourist visas permit. Thank you all who have followed us here on the HUBB. And a big thanks to our friends at Globebusters.com whose Colombian contacts were on standby if needed. And, thank you to James and Sean (Butch Cassity and the Sundance Kid) young - tall and handsome motorcycle over landers, we met en route, who offered rescue if needed.

xfiltrate and rosa del desierto

eat, drink and be careful