Bogota

Every country evolves activities designed to enrich daily life. Tomorrow I will go in search of one of  Colombia's. Guinea pig racing; a source of amusement and street gambling I am told. How can the race history of a guinea pig be validated or the current form assessed? Are losers sent to Peru to become street food? Mysteries to be solved.

The journey over was a breeze. Thanks were passed on to the TSA folks working at MIA despite the government shutdown. I arrived very early for the flight fearing long lines to pass through security. It was unnecessary.

Leaving Miami at sea level I have yet to descend to that altitude, coming into land at Bogota, 8,600 feet closer to the stars.

It will be a while before I see a coast, the Pacific.

Here is home for 10 days, in La Candelaria, in the heart of the old city. Fatima Hostel and Suites.

It may look like the entrance to a prison, and in fact perhaps it once was. Today, even though the room is unheated, the showers are hot, toilet paper is provided in the bathroom and the beer in the fridge is cold. 👍 

Fatima may well represent the pinnacle of the places I stay in.

Ajiaco, a dish originating from Bogota and much bragged about, was diner for tonight. I located the place claiming the 'The Best Ajiaco in The World', first pointed out during the city walking tour  I enjoyed this afternoon. Braggadocio I thought and of course I have nothing to compare it to, but the three potato and chicken soup with corn, served with avocado and rice did not disappoint. They also claim the same for their hot chocolate.The ajiaco convinced me to go back to try it.

On reflection it doesn't look as appetizing as it tasted, better that than the reverse.

Spanish lessons start Monday. No word on El Burro's arrival yet.

Cheers. T2

Staging post.

Sometimes you just get lucky.

By chance I stumbled on the vacation rental site, VRBO,  as I scoured the internet for a place to stay in Miami, in proximity to the airport. Ended up in a nicely appointed, self-contained unit, in the backyard of a nice family with origins in Peru; my hosts Gus, Rosario and their son Gabe.

                                      

Gus and Rosario have been very welcoming, setting a high bar for hospitality that their countrymen & women will have to work hard to match. Gathered some useful travel tips as well, including how to pronounce Huaraz, a Peruvian town I plan on visiting. My Spanish mumbling suggested I was actually heading to a town of similar name in Mexico. Oh dear 😕.

My digs for four nights; the wall art in the cabin eerily in keeping with my being here.

                      

However, the first shot of good fortune on the way south was meeting up with a longtime work colleague, now retired and enjoying life in Melbourne, FL. River Rocks on the Indian River served a nice lunch, liquid refreshment (no tsk! tsk! please, mine was non-alcoholic) and a convivial spot to catch up on the last several years. A few people who may read this will recognize my lunch buddy. Not just a lunch buddy, but the last familiar face encountered before I exit the US. Now there is something no-one would likely have predicted. Thanks for making time Jerry, the pleasure was mine.

…...and finally this …….

The drop off was very efficiently handled. No word yet on when El Burro will be in the air, as for me, well my next post will be from Bogota; I fly Thursday 10.40am, courtesy of American Airlines.

Hasta luego mis amigos.

¡Salud! T2

Launch Day.

….. it is said that nothing good comes from idle hands.  Click on the video for proof...….

A bit of spaghetti western to the soundtrack don't you think? Yeeee - ha....c'mon, giddy up mi burro.

Video bombed by my daughter's dog who steals the show of course. 

Cheers, T2.

The road ahead.........I have a plan.......

The trip commences Saturday, January 5th. The forecast looks decent for the two day ride from Virginia to Miami, the point of departure for El Burro and I. The moto will be dropped off on Monday, 7th and I will hang in Miami until Thursday, just in case there are any last minute hitches to be resolved on the shipment paperwork.

My flight south is booked, however, the date for the bike airfreight will only be confirmed a few days after it has been dropped off at the freight forwarder. The process of shipping the bike takes about 10 days from drop off to recovery in Bogota, 72 hours of which are consumed by US Customs in Miami. Before the bike can leave the US it needs an ITN - so when it gets shipped back I can avoid import duties. Preparation for this endeavor uncovered a number of quirks, one example being that airfreighting the bike back to the US is easier, quicker and 40% less expensive than exporting it. Go figure.

The citizens of Bogota will be the first to suffer my broken Spanish, which has been fashioned mostly through internet resources. Eating is a priority for me, it always has been, so my learning  has gravitated toward matters alimentary. Plates of rice and beans will be brightened up by the occasional manzana and most assuredly an end of the day cerveza (of course, on a road trip a beer has medicinal purposes, well known for relieving saddle soreness).

Once reunited with El Burro I will head north from Bogota before turning west in the direction of Medellin, with a couple of sight seeing stops along the way. Other than that the rest is in rough outline; part of the fun is the freedom to change course and take the time to gather new experiences. Suggestions from the people I meet along the way will help shape the journey. 

The tour will occur in three segments totaling about 6 months through 2019. The first 8 week chapter embraces Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru. My return to the US is scheduled for March 6th, from Lima back to Richmond.

Come along for the ride, it would be great to have your company. Add your email at the top right for notifications of new posts if you are foolish enough to engage in my ramblings.

Cheers. T2