...I have none yet.
US Customs it turns out is in control and until they approve the export of the bike it remains in Miami. Information has been requested and supplied, evidently a clean vehicle title, no liens, is not enough to establish legal ownership for US Customs, they demand proof of payment to the seller; a copy of a check or similar. Good grief! My stay in Bogota is extended into next week or even the week after at the pace things move.
US Customs has the carrot, I have no stick. Success is measured in small steps; the experience of moto travelers who preceded me to South America tempered my expectations prior to departure, though I had no reason to anticipate this particular problem. I better understand the frustrations they expressed now that I am here. The payoff awaits.
US Customs has the carrot, I have no stick. Success is measured in small steps; the experience of moto travelers who preceded me to South America tempered my expectations prior to departure, though I had no reason to anticipate this particular problem. I better understand the frustrations they expressed now that I am here. The payoff awaits.
In the meantime, while on the daily commute to my Spanish class several detours have been taken in an effort to locate a motorcycle parts stores. Bogota is chock full of motos so of course they need service and parts stores, finding one was the trick. As it turned out, find one and you find them all. It is the equivalent of searching for an oasis in a desert. Three days I wandered, nothing, then I found the oasis and was drunk for choice. It was more like a motorcycle rally than the usual day to day purchasing experience back home. Who knew that spending $8 on a couple of service items could bring such joy...small steps.
At least I do not (yet) have to turn to street performances to fund my motorcycle tour, as does this chap. He was pretty good, so I dropped him a few coins, enough for a couple of thimbles of gas. A 500 peso coin doesn't go far here.
Speaking of transportation, Bogota has a bus system that the locals use in large numbers. The TransMilenio is the major element of the system with two and three coach articulated vehicles running on dedicated roadways. Aside from the belch of diesel exhaust as they pass, the system appears effective, though I would not describe it as tourist friendly.
With another weekend in Bogota I decided to take the tourist train to Zipaquira to visit the salt cathedral. The ticket is purchased from the local train station that operates the tourist train that only runs on weekends. The station building has been put to good use by the National Transportation Police. I thought being there was a good thing from a personal security standpoint until I learned of the bombing at the Bogota police academy the same day. I wouldn't avoid visiting London, Paris or Madrid due to acts of terrorism, so the trip continues on with normal vigilance.
Anyway, the building also housed a museum of police transportation over the last century. The vehicles included examples from Poland, Russia, USA, UK and Italy. The Ferrari was not a purchase but a confiscation from one of the cartels in the '90's.The Ferrari was not on display so I rather suspect it found its way into a private collection. The other vehicles (though not stated) likely reflect the complexion of the Colombian government at the time and attempts by foreign governments to cement influence and/or corrupt officials. Unfortunately, based on displays in the National Museum and the Museum of Independence, Columbians have had a hard time finding government officials that were not corrupt or corruptible. When they did find one (Gaitan) he was assassinated while campaigning for the Presidency in 1948. He was a liberal, popular, and was likely to be elected. The hand (if there was one) behind the 'mentally ill' person who pulled the trigger and was killed in the aftermath is still a matter of debate in Colombia. Well, enough background wittering, below is a video; a collage of matters transportation.
With another weekend in Bogota I decided to take the tourist train to Zipaquira to visit the salt cathedral. The ticket is purchased from the local train station that operates the tourist train that only runs on weekends. The station building has been put to good use by the National Transportation Police. I thought being there was a good thing from a personal security standpoint until I learned of the bombing at the Bogota police academy the same day. I wouldn't avoid visiting London, Paris or Madrid due to acts of terrorism, so the trip continues on with normal vigilance.
Anyway, the building also housed a museum of police transportation over the last century. The vehicles included examples from Poland, Russia, USA, UK and Italy. The Ferrari was not a purchase but a confiscation from one of the cartels in the '90's.The Ferrari was not on display so I rather suspect it found its way into a private collection. The other vehicles (though not stated) likely reflect the complexion of the Colombian government at the time and attempts by foreign governments to cement influence and/or corrupt officials. Unfortunately, based on displays in the National Museum and the Museum of Independence, Columbians have had a hard time finding government officials that were not corrupt or corruptible. When they did find one (Gaitan) he was assassinated while campaigning for the Presidency in 1948. He was a liberal, popular, and was likely to be elected. The hand (if there was one) behind the 'mentally ill' person who pulled the trigger and was killed in the aftermath is still a matter of debate in Colombia. Well, enough background wittering, below is a video; a collage of matters transportation.
As the first rail related image revealed, Ferrocarriles Nacionales Colombia has seen better days. In fact it ceased to exist 1991. The only rail transport in the Bogota area now is the tourist train, created and resurrected from the old operation a few years ago. A single train runs at weekends, it was slow and bumpy but well supported by the locals. As the video portrayed they make the most of what they have.
Next week I will be brushing up on Spanish and using the time to route plan in Ecuador. I remain under the foolish belief that the bike will get here one day. The blog will go quite until I have better news on the moto.
Ciao. T2
If you add a little more about the local cuisine you could submit your blog as your audition tape to CNN as the replacement for Anthony Bourdain. Stay safe my friend.
ReplyDeleteBuena suerte!! We are pulling for you..
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